Apple’s iPhone, introduced by then-CEO Steve Jobs back in 2007, is a remarkable smartphone device that has changed the way we look at smartphones and modern mobile technology in general today. At its current generation, the iPhone 4S, has brought with it a significant new feature, dubbed “Siri” which has made a huge impact on the future of voice recognition technology in mobile devices. Siri would undoubtedly be named the killer feature, as not many other significant new features have been added to the iPhone 4S. This seems to be a repeat of a past upgrade, the iPhone 3GS was very similar to the iPhone 3G.
In terms of what has changed through each generation, you’d have to start with the iPhone 2G, the first ever iPhone model which contained the device’s basic launch features, even lacking the app marketplace which is so well-known on iOS devices today. Other features which debuted with the iPhone on day 1 included a 2.0 MP camera; 4, 8, and 16 GB storage options; only 128 MB of RAM; support for EDGE rather than 3G which has been included in every other iPhone generation since; and a 480 x 320 HVGA resolution which remained up until the iPhone 4 when it was upgraded to 960 x 640.The iPhone 2G and 3G are now considered to be discontinued but the 3GS, 4 and 4S are still supported and are able to run Apple’s newest version of iOS.
The iPhone 3G brought, arguably, the most significant new feature to the iPhone, 3G connectivity support. Aside from that, changes between the iPhone 2G and 3G were mostly minor, such as the change in material from aluminum to steel. The iPhone 3GS contained much more in terms of hardware upgrades, as it brought with it a new and more powerful CPU and GPU, a RAM boost from 128 to 256 MB, faster data speeds, a camera upgrade with the new ability to record video, and new 8, 16, and 32 GB options.
The iPhone 4 is, debatably, the most significant upgrade from a previous generation to date, with new features including it’s now commonly known “A4” processor, 512 MB of RAM up from 256 MB, a further upgraded camera with the ability to record video in 720p HD, and elimination of the use of plastic in terms of materials. Lastly, the iPhone 4S brought the newest features to date, with a new A5 processor, an upgraded GPU, improved data speeds, Siri, the iPhone’s best camera to date with the ability to record in full 1080p HD, and the addition of the 64 GB model as a replacement for the outdated 8 GB option.
The iPhone can only continue to improve in the future, and some features which are expected or rumored to be in the upcoming iPhone generation, dubbed by most the “iPhone 5”, include a slimmer form, a metal back instead of the current glass one, 1 GB of RAM, an even better display and higher resolution, among many others. No one can be sure yet what Apple is going to bring us next, we’ll just have to wait it out and hope for another homerun!