Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News
      TCS | Piet le Roux on Sakeliga's fight with Icasa over BEE

      TCS | Piet le Roux on Sakeliga’s fight with Icasa over BEE

      13 November 2026
      Lawyer who backs 30% rule says Sakeliga has Icasa cornered - Piet le Roux

      Lawyer who backs 30% rule says Sakeliga has Icasa cornered

      13 November 2026
      SA firms are all-in on AI, but most can't prove it pays - Arthur Goldstuck

      SA firms are all-in on AI, but most can’t prove it pays

      13 November 2026
      Microsoft outage drags past 15 hours, hitting SA companies hard

      Microsoft outage drags past 18 hours, hitting SA companies hard

      13 November 2026
      Oppo's South African plan: forget market share, sell premium phones - Sam Zhang

      Oppo’s South African plan: forget market share, sell premium phones

      13 November 2026
    • World
      The internet is roasting Jensen Huang with his own GPUs

      The internet is roasting Jensen Huang, using his own GPUs

      11 November 2026
      John Ternus faces first big test as Apple CEO - John Ternus

      John Ternus faces first big test as Apple CEO

      2 November 2026
      Alleged Israeli spy company heavily targeted Starlink users

      How online ads were used to hunt Starlink users

      28 October 2026
      Anthropic's IPO stands alone

      Anthropic’s IPO stands alone

      23 October 2026
      PHP flaws trigger global scramble as hackers pounce

      PHP flaws trigger global scramble as hackers pounce

      22 October 2026
    • In-depth
      Ducking hell: inside Apple's hidden list of words the iPhone won't suggest

      Ducking hell: inside Apple’s hidden list of words the iPhone won’t suggest

      6 November 2026
      Why investors are souring on Netflix

      Why investors are souring on Netflix

      22 October 2026

      10 days that changed the course of AI

      21 September 2026
      Meta to the AI industry: slow down without us - Mark Zuckerberg

      Meta to the AI industry: slow down without us

      16 September 2026
      Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. Image: John Sears

      The plan to stop AI from breaking the world

      16 July 2026
    • TCS
      W&W | The AA’s Bobby Ramagwede on a car industry running out of road

      W&W | The AA’s Bobby Ramagwede on a car industry running out of road

      12 November 2026
      TCS | Pick n Pay fights back in online grocery wars - Vince Viviers

      TCS | Pick n Pay fights back in online grocery wars

      11 November 2026
      TCS | Nomvuyiso Batyi on the battle over Sim registration - Nomvuyiso Batyi

      TCS | Nomvuyiso Batyi on the battle over Sim registration

      9 November 2026
      TCS+ | Old Mutual's Celiwe Ross on leading people through AI - Old Mutual

      TCS+ | Old Mutual’s Celiwe Ross on leading people through AI

      6 November 2026
      TCS+ | How the Apple ecosystem drives productivity for SMEs - Sudesh Pillay iStore and Kevin McLennan

      TCS+ | How the Apple ecosystem drives productivity for SMEs

      6 November 2026
    • Opinion
      Icasa's Sim rules need a privacy backstop - Lloyd Matthew and Heinz Vollmer

      Icasa’s Sim rules need a privacy backstop

      5 November 2026
      AI's boardroom honeymoon is over - Gary Stocks

      AI’s boardroom honeymoon is over

      22 October 2026
      Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine - Duncan McLeod

      Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine

      21 October 2026
      Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani

      Why cybersecurity is now a national security issue for South Africa

      15 October 2026
      When a machine can choose, who does it become? Fanie van Rooyen

      When a machine can choose, who does it become?

      9 October 2026
    • Company News
      • 1Stream
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • Ascent Technology
      • AvertITD
      • BBD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CM.com
      • Contactable
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • HOSTAFRICA
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • IQbusiness
      • Iris Network Systems
      • Kaspersky
      • LSD Open
      • Mitel
      • NEC XON
      • Netstar
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Publishared
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Telviva
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Vodacom Business
      • Vox
      • Wipro
      • Workday
      • XLink
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech and payments
      • HealthTech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Policy and regulation
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Satellite communications
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
      • Watts & Wheels
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » How the iPhone has changed over the years

    How the iPhone has changed over the years

    By Agency Staff9 September 2016
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    Get breaking news on WhatsApp

    Apple’s new iPhone 7 isn’t a major upgrade on the previous version, despite its various updates and features — and the well-flagged news that the smartphone has no headphone jack.

    That said, the iPhone has been a game-changer. It helped Apple become the world’s most valuable company and has swept aside many a rival device over its lifespan, contributing to the decline of household names from BlackBerry to Nokia. Here’s a look at its evolution over the years.

    The first iPhone
    The first iPhone

    Introducing the iPhone
    The first model debuts in 2007, ushering in the era of smartphones. While other devices had featured touchscreens, Apple’s was the first to package the technology so that it worked seamlessly.

    iPhone 3G
    iPhone 3G

    iPhone 3G
    The iPhone gets its first upgrade, with 3G offering faster wireless connections. The newly-launched App Store is a key element in enhancing the capabilities of the device.

    iPhone 3GS
    iPhone 3GS

    iPhone 3GS
    The iPhone 3GS in 2009 isn’t a major upgrade, offering only marginal improvements in speed.

    iPhone 4
    iPhone 4

    iPhone 4
    The iPhone 4, which debuts in 2010, is Apple’s first radical redesign of the device. The launch also results in “antennagate”: the design of the case leads to some dropped calls and forces the company to offer free antenna bands to mitigate the problem.

    iPhone 4S
    iPhone 4S

    iPhone 4S
    The iPhone 4S is another minor upgrade, helping to solve the antenna issue and boosting performance.

    iPhone 5
    iPhone 5

    iPhone 5
    The iPhone 5 in 2012 marks Apple’s move toward bigger screens and proves a smash with consumers, delivering rapid revenue growth for Apple.

    iPhone 5c
    iPhone 5c
    iPhone 5s
    iPhone 5s

    iPhone 5c and 5s
    The iPhone 5s upgrade isn’t a surprise. It’s the introduction of the more affordable iPhone 5c that raises eyebrows — designed to appeal to emerging markets, it doesn’t prove to be a big hit.

    iPhone 6
    iPhone 6

    iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
    The debut of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014 is the right move at the right time. The bigger smartphones wow customers in Asia and put Apple into the top spot in China.

    iPhone 6s
    iPhone 6s

    iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
    The iPhone 6s upgrade doesn’t change much — a bit faster, a bit better.

    The new iPhone SE
    iPhone SE

    iPhone SE
    Earlier this year, Apple surprises by reviving the iPhone 5’s size and shape in the form of the iPhone SE. A cheaper, midrange phone, it sells better than expected in places such as Latin America, but isn’t enough to reverse a revenue decline.

    iPhone 7 Plus
    iPhone 7 Plus

    iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
    The iPhone 7 is a break from Apple’s two-year upgrade cycle, with the size and shape almost unchanged from its predecessor. It sports a better camera, faster performance and, in a new twist, gets rid of the headphone jack.  — (c) 2016 Bloomberg LP

    Add TechCentral as a preferred source on GoogleFollow TechCentral on Google NewsGet breaking news on WhatsApp


    Apple iPhone
    WhatsApp YouTube
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleAfrihost moves to shake up DSL market
    Next Article Snowden fast becoming a liability for Putin

    Related Posts

    Ducking hell: inside Apple's hidden list of words the iPhone won't suggest

    Ducking hell: inside Apple’s hidden list of words the iPhone won’t suggest

    6 November 2026
    The memory boom making Samsung rich is now squeezing Apple - John Ternus

    The memory boom making Samsung rich is now squeezing Apple

    3 November 2026
    John Ternus faces first big test as Apple CEO - John Ternus

    John Ternus faces first big test as Apple CEO

    2 November 2026
    Company News
    The next digital channel in South Africa is the phone call - Teeoff Technologies

    The next digital channel in South Africa is the phone call

    13 November 2026
    Mitel bets on humans with debut of Mitel WX for the entire workforce

    Mitel bets on humans with debut of Mitel WX for the entire workforce

    12 November 2026
    You cannot change culture without changing how the business works - Change Logic, Trudie Keys

    You cannot change culture without changing how the business works

    12 November 2026
    Opinion
    Icasa's Sim rules need a privacy backstop - Lloyd Matthew and Heinz Vollmer

    Icasa’s Sim rules need a privacy backstop

    5 November 2026
    AI's boardroom honeymoon is over - Gary Stocks

    AI’s boardroom honeymoon is over

    22 October 2026
    Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine - Duncan McLeod

    Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine

    21 October 2026

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Latest Posts
    TCS | Piet le Roux on Sakeliga's fight with Icasa over BEE

    TCS | Piet le Roux on Sakeliga’s fight with Icasa over BEE

    13 November 2026
    Lawyer who backs 30% rule says Sakeliga has Icasa cornered - Piet le Roux

    Lawyer who backs 30% rule says Sakeliga has Icasa cornered

    13 November 2026
    SA firms are all-in on AI, but most can't prove it pays - Arthur Goldstuck

    SA firms are all-in on AI, but most can’t prove it pays

    13 November 2026
    Microsoft outage drags past 15 hours, hitting SA companies hard

    Microsoft outage drags past 18 hours, hitting SA companies hard

    13 November 2026
    © 2009 - 2026 NewsCentral Media
    Built and maintained by Chronon
    • Cookie policy (ZA)
    • TechCentral – privacy and Popia

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Manage consent

    TechCentral uses cookies to enhance its offerings. Consenting to these technologies allows us to serve you better. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect certain features and functions of the website.

    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    • Manage options
    • Manage services
    • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
    • Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    • {title}
    • {title}
    • {title}
    🇿🇦 Sign up to the TechCentral newsletter