It’s actually wild to think about. Back in 2007, Steve Jobs stood on a stage and pulled a tiny, rounded rectangle out of his pocket. It had a 3.5-inch screen. People lost their minds. Fast forward to today, and we’re looking at pictures of all the iPhones and seeing a transformation that’s honestly hard to wrap your head around.
We went from a phone that couldn't even record video to the iPhone 17 Pro Max that shoots 8K ProRes. And now, in early 2026, the rumors about the first-ever iPhone Fold are practically screaming at us.
If you’re trying to track the visual history of these devices, you’ve probably noticed that Apple doesn't just change the look for the sake of it. Every curve, every flat edge, and every "notch" tells a story of what was happening in tech at that moment. Let’s walk through the visual graveyard and the current titans.
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The Early Years: When Buttons Ruled
The original iPhone (2007) was basically a thick brick of aluminum and black plastic. It was cute, in a retro way. You look at it now and think, "How did I ever type on that?"
Then came the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Apple ditched the metal for a glossy plastic back. It felt cheaper but looked more "modern" for 2008. These were the days of skeuomorphism—remember when the Notes app looked like a yellow legal pad and the Game Center had green felt like a poker table?
- iPhone (2007): The OG. Silver back, black bottom. Only 4GB or 8GB of storage.
- iPhone 3G (2008): Added GPS and the App Store. Huge deal.
- iPhone 3GS (2009): The "S" stood for speed. It looked identical to the 3G but was twice as fast.
Honestly, the real design revolution happened in 2010.
Pictures of all the iPhones: The Industrial Shift
When the iPhone 4 dropped, it was like looking at a piece of jewelry. Glass on the front, glass on the back, and a stainless steel band around the middle. It was stunning. It was also the first time we saw the Retina Display.
But it wasn't all perfect. Remember "Antennagate"? If you held the phone the "wrong" way, you lost signal. Steve Jobs basically told everyone they were holding it wrong. Classic Apple.
The iPhone 5 (2012) changed things again by stretching the screen to 4 inches. It was the first time they moved away from the 3.5-inch standard. It was also the debut of the Lightning port. Looking at pictures of the iPhone 5 today, it still holds up as one of the most balanced designs they’ve ever done.
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Then 2014 hit, and Apple went big. Like, really big. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were massive departures. Rounded edges returned, and the "Plus" model started the trend of giant phones that barely fit in your jeans.
The Middle Ages of Design
- iPhone 5S (2013): Introduced Touch ID. No more passcodes (mostly).
- iPhone 5C (2013): The "unapologetically plastic" experiment. Bright colors, lower price.
- iPhone SE (2016): A "Frankenstein" phone—iPhone 6S guts in an iPhone 5 body. People loved it.
The Death of the Home Button
2017 was the year the home button died. Well, for the high-end users at least.
The iPhone X (pronounced "Ten," though everyone said "Ex") introduced the Notch. People hated it at first. Now, it’s iconic. By removing the chin and the forehead of the phone, Apple gave us an almost all-screen experience.
Looking at pictures of all the iPhones from this era, you see a clear split. You had the "old school" iPhone 8 with the home button and the "future" iPhone X with Face ID. Eventually, the future won.
The iPhone 12 (2020) brought back the flat edges from the iPhone 4 days. It felt nostalgic but futuristic. It also introduced MagSafe, which changed how we charge and use accessories.
The Dynamic Island and Beyond
By the time the iPhone 14 Pro arrived in 2022, the Notch evolved into the Dynamic Island. Instead of a dead space at the top of your screen, it became a shapeshifting UI element.
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Then came the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, which ditched the Mute Switch for the Action Button and finally—finally—swapped Lightning for USB-C. It was a "courageous" move that mostly happened because Europe forced their hand.
Last year, the iPhone 16 series doubled down on AI with "Apple Intelligence." Visually, the standard 16 went back to a vertical camera layout, sorta like the old iPhone 12, mainly to support spatial video for the Vision Pro.
Current Lineup and 2026 Leaks
As of right now in January 2026, the iPhone 17 is the king of the hill. The iPhone 17 Air has been the talk of the town because it’s ridiculously thin—almost like a piece of cardboard.
But the real hype is for the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold, expected later this year.
Word on the street (and from analysts like Ross Young) is that the iPhone 18 Pro might finally hide Face ID under the display. This would shrink the Dynamic Island even further, maybe even leaving just a tiny pinhole for the camera.
And the Fold? Rumors suggest it’ll be a "book-style" device, roughly 8 inches when opened. It’s supposed to be thinner than any Samsung foldable we’ve seen.
Why Visual History Actually Matters
Seeing pictures of all the iPhones isn't just a trip down memory lane. It shows you how Apple thinks. They aren't always the first to a feature—OLED screens and high refresh rates were on Android for years before Apple touched them—but they wait until they can make the design feel "inevitable."
If you’re looking to buy a used model or just curious about the specs, here’s a quick breakdown of the major shifts:
- 2007-2009: Plastic and curves. Small 3.5" screens.
- 2010-2013: The Glass Age. High resolution (Retina) and 4" screens.
- 2014-2016: The Curved Aluminum Age. 4.7" and 5.5" screens.
- 2017-2019: The Notch Age. Face ID and OLED.
- 2020-2023: The Flat Edge Age. MagSafe, 5G, and Titanium.
- 2024-Present: The AI and Folding Age. Under-display tech and ultra-thin "Air" models.
Actionable Insights for iPhone Fans
If you're looking at these old photos and feeling nostalgic, or if you're planning your next upgrade, here is what you should actually do:
- Check your trade-in value now. If you have an iPhone 14 or 15, the value is going to tank once the iPhone 18 Pro and the Fold are officially announced this fall.
- Avoid the iPhone 17e if you hate 60Hz. The rumors are true—the "budget" 17 model still has a slower screen refresh rate. If you want that "smooth" feeling, you have to go Pro or look at the 17 Air.
- Think twice before buying a "vintage" model for use. Anything older than an iPhone 11 is going to struggle with modern apps and security updates. They're great for a collection, but frustrating as a daily driver.
- Wait for the Spring 2026 event. We're expecting a new iPhone SE (the 4th gen) that finally ditches the home button for good and adopts the iPhone 14 design. It'll be the best value-for-money phone Apple has ever released.
The evolution from a 2-megapixel camera to a foldable workstation is nothing short of insane. Looking at the full gallery of these devices is like watching a child grow up—it happened slowly, then all at once.