Today it is 15 years since apple, the fruit, got replaced by Apple, the iPhone. It was this day that Apple launched its first flagship device the iPhone, 15 years ago. The first iPhone revolutionised the way we used mobile phones, and the way we communicated and since then no brand has managed to garner the level of branding.
Though it was Apple's first mobile device launch, Apple was not new to the technology market. It had earlier launched the Mac computers in the 1970s, and the iPod in 2001.
As soon as the iPhone was launched it was well received. It was not a surprise that everyone liked the iPhone considering the attention to detail and style they had maintained. It was indicative of an emerging trend toward smartphones with large-format screens.
The original iPhone was limited to 4GB or 8GB models, offered wifi, supported 2G EDGE connectivity and had internet download speeds below 500Kbps.
In July 2008, the iPhone 3G was rolled out, with better data speeds and also had Apple App Store. It had a limited 500 apps but that improved the functionality of the phone significantly. Later that year iPhone 3GS was launched.
Apple over the years consistently rolled out new products year after year, this helped the audience to be eager for the new launch.
An interesting trend the launch of the new iPhones every year brought in was the handing down of the old iPhones within the family. This helped in creating brand awareness across generations. This trend continues till today.
In 2013, the iPhone 5S introduced Touch ID, which allowed users to unlock their phones with a fingerprint. iPhone was not the first to bring a technology like that, but iPhone implemented the technology to the T.
The iPhone 8, released in 2017, brought with it the face ID feature. It was not a full-proof technology but Apple went on to improve it considerably and is still being used in the latest iPhones.
iPhone over the years has improved in leaps and bounds. The camera quality, the multiple cameras, wireless charging, assuring security to its users, and taking away the bezel to name a few.
But the iPhone too had its problems, when the iPhone 7 was introduced in 2016, Apple decided to take away the 3.5 mm headphone socket, which did upset a lot of people all over the world. And then a while later they decided to launch the Airpods. So, that idea worked like a marriage made in heaven.
Interestingly in 2020, Apple decided to do away with chargers from the box. However, they continued to give the cable which was a type-C but the previous editions of the iPhones had a USB cable charger. The justification Apple gave was all its users have a box full of old chargers and also they had to align with the growing green re-use agenda.
