The Complete iPhone Family Tree: Understanding All Models, Since Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007, it’s been a wild ride of innovation, sleek designs, and a few controversial decisions (remember the headphone jack?). For tech enthusiasts and curious folks alike, keeping track of every iPhone model can feel like navigating a family reunion where everyone’s got a unique personality. Whether you’re a die-hard Apple fan or just trying to figure out which iPhone is which, this guide breaks down the entire iPhone family tree, from the OG to the latest releases in 2025. Let’s dive in!
The First Generation: The iPhone That Started It All (2007)
It all began with the original iPhone, announced by Steve Jobs in January 2007. This groundbreaking device combined a phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator into one touchscreen marvel.
Key Features: 3.5-inch display, 2MP camera, iOS (no App Store yet!), and a sleek aluminum back.
Why It Matters: It redefined smartphones, setting the stage for everything that followed.
The 3G and 3GS: Getting Connected (2008–2009)
Apple quickly followed up with the iPhone 3G and 3GS, introducing faster networks and incremental upgrades.
iPhone 3G (2008): Added 3G connectivity, GPS, and a plastic back for better signal. The App Store debuted, changing how we use phones forever.
iPhone 3GS (2009): The “S” stood for speed—faster processor, better 3MP camera with video recording, and voice control.
The iPhone 4 and 4S: The Glass-and-Steel Era (2010–2011)
The iPhone 4 introduced a design that still feels iconic: flat glass front and back, stainless steel edges, and a Retina display that blew minds.
iPhone 4 (2010): 3.5-inch Retina display, 5MP camera with LED flash, front-facing camera for FaceTime, and the A4 chip.
iPhone 4S (2011): Added Siri, an 8MP camera, and the A5 chip. This was the last iPhone launched under Steve Jobs’ leadership.
The iPhone 5 and 5S/5C: Stretching and Colorful (2012–2013)
Apple started experimenting with size and style here, giving us taller screens and a budget-friendly option.
iPhone 5 (2012): A taller 4-inch display, Lightning connector, and a slimmer aluminum body.
iPhone 5S (2013): Introduced Touch ID, the A7 chip (first 64-bit in a smartphone), and a gold color option.
iPhone 5C (2013): A colorful, polycarbonate version of the iPhone 5, aimed at a younger crowd.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus: Going Big (2014)
Apple finally embraced larger screens, and the iPhone 6 series was a massive hit.
iPhone 6 (2014): 4.7-inch display, rounded edges, A8 chip, and improved 8MP camera.
iPhone 6 Plus (2014): A 5.5-inch phablet with optical image stabilization (OIS) for the camera.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus: The “S” Upgrade (2015)
The 6S series brought subtle but powerful improvements.
iPhone 6S/6S Plus (2015): 3D Touch, A9 chip, 12MP camera with 4K video, and a new rose gold color. The Plus kept its OIS advantage.
The iPhone SE (1st Gen): Small but Mighty (2016)
Apple threw a curveball with the iPhone SE, blending old-school design with modern guts.
iPhone SE (2016): 4-inch display (like the iPhone 5S), but with iPhone 6S internals, including the A9 chip and 12MP camera.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: No More Headphone Jack (2016)
This generation stirred controversy but pushed boundaries.
iPhone 7/7 Plus (2016): Water resistance, A10 Fusion chip, dual cameras on the Plus (with Portrait mode), and the infamous removal of the headphone jack.
The iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X: A New Era (2017)
The iPhone X stole the show, marking Apple’s 10th anniversary with a bold redesign.
iPhone 8/8 Plus (2017): Glass backs for wireless charging, A11 Bionic chip, and improved cameras.
iPhone X (2017): 5.8-inch edge-to-edge OLED display, Face ID, no home button, and dual cameras with Portrait Lighting.
The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR: Refining the X (2018)
Apple expanded the X’s vision with three models.
iPhone XS/XS Max (2018): 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch OLED displays, A12 Bionic chip, and improved dual cameras.
iPhone XR (2018): A 6.1-inch LCD “Liquid Retina” display, single camera, and vibrant colors at a lower price.
The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max: Pro Performance (2019)
The “Pro” branding arrived, emphasizing camera and performance upgrades.
iPhone 11 (2019): 6.1-inch LCD, A13 Bionic chip, dual cameras with Night mode.
iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max (2019): 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch OLED displays, triple cameras, and longer battery life.
The iPhone 12 Series: 5G and Flat Edges (2020)
The iPhone 12 series brought a fresh design and 5G connectivity.
iPhone 12/12 mini (2020): 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch OLED displays, A14 Bionic chip, dual cameras, and MagSafe.
iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max (2020): Added LiDAR, triple cameras with ProRAW, and stainless steel frames.
The iPhone 13 Series: Polishing the Formula (2021)
The 13 series refined the 12 with better cameras and battery life.
iPhone 13/13 mini (2021): Smaller notch, A15 Bionic chip, Cinematic mode, and improved battery.
iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max (2021): 120Hz ProMotion displays, macro photography, and longer battery life.
The iPhone 14 Series and SE (3rd Gen): Incremental Steps (2022)
This year saw a mix of new models and a refreshed SE.
iPhone 14/14 Plus (2022): 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, A15 chip, and crash detection.
iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max (2022): Dynamic Island, 48MP main camera, always-on display, and A16 Bionic chip.
iPhone SE (3rd Gen, 2022): 4.7-inch display, A15 chip, and 5G support.
The iPhone 15 Series: USB-C and More (2023)
Apple finally ditched Lightning for USB-C, and the 15 series brought big camera upgrades.
iPhone 15/15 Plus (2023): 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, 48MP main camera, A16 chip, and USB-C.
iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max (2023): Titanium frames, A17 Pro chip, Action button, and 5x telephoto (Pro Max only).
The iPhone 16 Series: The Latest Chapter (2024)
As of 2024, the iPhone 16 series continues to push forward.
iPhone 16/16 Plus (2024): A18 chip, Camera Control button, and improved 48MP cameras.
iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max (2024): Larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, A18 Pro chip, 5x telephoto for both, and advanced Apple Intelligence features.
What’s Next for the iPhone?
With rumors swirling about foldable iPhones or even slimmer designs, Apple’s family tree keeps growing. Each model builds on the last, balancing innovation with familiarity. Whether you’re rocking a vintage iPhone 4 or the latest iPhone 16 Pro, there’s a story behind every device.
FAQs
Q: What was the first iPhone with Face ID?
A: The iPhone X, released in 2017, was the first to introduce Face ID, replacing Touch ID.
Q: Which iPhones support 5G?
A: All iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 models, plus the iPhone SE (3rd Gen), support 5G.
Q: Why did Apple remove the headphone jack?
A: Starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, Apple removed the headphone jack to save space, promote wireless audio, and improve water resistance.
Q: What’s the difference between Pro and non-Pro iPhones?
A: Pro models typically have better displays (OLED, ProMotion), advanced cameras (like triple lenses or LiDAR), and more powerful chips (e.g., A17 Pro vs. A16).
Q: Is the iPhone SE still worth buying in 2025?
A: The iPhone SE (3rd Gen, 2022) is a great budget option for those who prefer smaller phones and don’t need the latest features like Dynamic Island or advanced cameras.
Q: How often does Apple release new iPhones?
A: Apple typically releases new iPhones annually in September, with occasional mid-cycle releases like the SE models.
Got a favorite iPhone or curious about a specific model? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll dive deeper!