Apple has come a long way with the iPhone, whether it’s in terms of design or internal components. From using Samsung’s S3C6400 chip to creating its own custom silicon, the iPhone has solidified its place in the upper echelons of mobile devices. However, the device’s design has evolved significantly from the original model, with a continuous increase in screen size. Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone 18 years ago, and this gives us a chance to look back at the device that revolutionized the tech industry and redefined mobile communication.
Apple announced the original iPhone 18 years ago, changing the course of mobile communication forever.
On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs announced the original iPhone in the most iconic way, which still feels entertaining today. The late CEO revealed that the company was presenting three distinct products in one. It featured “an iPod with touch controls, a phone, and a successful internet communication device.” Steve Jobs also announced on stage that “today, Apple is going to invent the phone.”
The original iPhone had an unconventional design by the standards of its time, featuring a mix of aluminum and plastic, breaking away from traditional designs. It also came with a large 3.5-inch display and built-in keyboard functionality, as there was no physical keyboard on the device. Additionally, it had a 2MP camera and a dedicated iPhone OS. Compared to industry standards of the time, the original iPhone’s operating system was as groundbreaking as the device itself.
The original iPhone laid the foundation for all the flagship smartphones we use today, presenting a design that was both natural and innovative to the touch, setting itself apart from traditional design languages. Along with the original iPhone, Apple also announced the Apple TV 18 years ago, which had previously been referred to as iTV during an earlier event in 2006. The goal of Apple TV was to bring iTunes content to the big screen, and it succeeded in doing so. The presentation was pure entertainment, and you can watch it below.
Apple was also building its devices for growing success. For instance, the company introduced the App Store for the iPhone the following year, and in 2019, it launched Apple TV+, its online streaming service that competes with companies like Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and others. The company’s success with various products has proven that it wasn’t just a computer company, and today, it is steadily expanding its product line, with the latest addition being the Vision Pro headset. Do you think the iPhone revolutionized the tech industry and pushed the competition to move forward?
