The original iPhone combined a phone, an iPod and internet functions in one device when Apple introduced it on January 9, 2007. Compared with recent models, it had a much smaller, lower-resolution screen, a basic 2-megapixel camera and EDGE mobile data; modern iPhones add OLED displays, advanced camera systems, 5G, USB-C, eSIM and features such as Face ID and wireless charging. The comparisons below use the iPhone 17 as a recent mainstream example and the iPhone 18 Pro as a 2026 premium example.
What the original iPhone was designed to do
Apple introduced the first-generation iPhone on January 9, 2007, describing it as a combination of a phone, widescreen iPod and internet communications device. Its advertised internet functions included email, web browsing, search and maps. The central idea was a multi-touch interface controlled directly on a large screen, rather than a device organized around a physical keyboard. Apple’s launch announcement framed the touchscreen as the defining change.
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The original was 4.5 inches tall, 2.4 inches wide, 0.46 inch deep and weighed 4.8 ounces, according to Apple’s archived technical specifications. Its screen was large for its time, but its proportions and capabilities look modest beside modern phones.
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| Feature | Original iPhone (2007) | iPhone 17 (recent mainstream example) | iPhone 18 Pro (2026 premium example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 3.5-inch display; 480 × 320 pixels; 163 ppi. Apple archived specifications. | 6.3-inch OLED display; 460 ppi. Apple iPhone 17 specifications. | Apple’s cited iPhone 18 Pro announcement does not state comparable display-size or resolution figures. |
| Camera | 2-megapixel camera. Apple archived specifications. | Not stated in the cited iPhone 17 specifications. | 48-megapixel main camera with variable aperture, as described by Apple in its September 9, 2026 announcement. |
| Cellular and wireless | GSM quad-band, EDGE, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. | 5G support and eSIM. | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6; Apple announcement also lists Thread. |
| Connector and charging | 30-pin dock connector and 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack. | USB-C, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. | Not stated in the cited announcement. |
| Authentication and sensors | Accelerometer, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor; no Face ID listed. | Face ID. | Not stated in the cited announcement. |
| Operating system | Introduced before the later iPhone operating-system naming and feature set; the cited original specification does not give a comparable current OS version. | Not stated in the cited iPhone 17 specification excerpt. | iOS 27, as announced by Apple on September 9, 2026. |
Sources for the original model: Apple’s archived specifications and 2007 announcement. Modern-model figures are from Apple’s iPhone 17 specifications and September 9, 2026 iPhone 18 Pro announcement. Apple does not provide every comparison field in those cited materials, so omitted entries should not be read as claims that a feature is absent.
#1 Best Overall
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- PHONE CASES: Our phone cases and accessories are compatible with many devices. We offer sizes and styles that are compatible with Apple iPhone X/Xs; iPhone XR; iPhone 6/6s/7/8/SE/2G; iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max; iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max; and iPhone 13/13 Pro/13 mini.
Display: more room and far higher pixel density
The first iPhone’s 3.5-inch, 480-by-320 screen delivered 163 pixels per inch. Apple lists the iPhone 17 at 6.3 inches and 460 ppi. The difference is not just that the newer screen is larger: its much higher pixel density supports finer text and detail. In 2026, Apple also announced the iPhone Duo, a foldable model with a 7.6-inch inner display and 5.4-inch outer display. Its availability was scheduled to begin October 23, 2026, so it had been announced but was not yet available as of October 4, 2026. Apple’s announcement describes those screen sizes.
Camera: a basic snapshot camera versus a modern imaging system
The original iPhone’s rear camera was 2 megapixels. Apple describes the iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera as 48 megapixels with variable aperture. Those figures alone do not measure image quality—software processing, optics and other camera details matter—but they show how far the hardware specification has moved beyond the first model’s simple camera.
Rank #2
- Allows the Mic 3 Receiver to connect to Apple mobile devices with a Lightning port for audio recording
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- Stable connection: Original compatibility is good, and recording can start immediately after connection
- Compatibility Only for Mic 3, Not with Mic, Mic 2, or Mic Mini.
- In The Box: Mic 3 Mobile Phone Adapter (Lightning) × 1
Connectivity: EDGE-era data to 5G and newer wireless standards
The original used EDGE for cellular data, alongside GSM, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. The iPhone 17 specification lists 5G and eSIM, while Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro announcement lists Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. These are dated examples, not a claim that every modern iPhone has identical radios or that every feature is available on every network or in every region.
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The specifications establish what radio technologies the original supported, not whether a surviving handset can activate or make calls on a particular carrier today. Network compatibility and service availability depend on the carrier and location; check with the relevant carrier rather than assuming an original iPhone will work as a phone now.
Rank #3
- ADIDAS FOR iPHONE & ANDROID: Take the 3 stripes with you wherever you go with this leather-style adidas Originals smartphone case. It has a flexible cradle with the iconic gazelle-style 3 stripes and a debossed trefoil logo.
- ULTIMATE PROTECTION: Take protection to the next level with this phone case from adidas. The raised edges help protect your phone screen from scratches and drops. Plus, it has an edge slit that allows for a wristband attachment, offering even more security.
- GREAT DESIGN: This phone cover has raised edges and easy access to buttons and connectors. It also features a bezel around the camera hole to prevent flash distortion, allowing you to take the perfect picture every time.
- SUPER-DURABLE MATERIALS: This adidas Originals phone case is designed with sturdy and robust materials. It comes with a leather-like back and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) edges, making it drop- and scratch-resistant.
- PHONE CASES: Our phone cases and accessories are compatible with many devices. We offer sizes and styles that are compatible with Apple iPhone X/Xs; iPhone XR; iPhone 6/6s/7/8/SE/2G; iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max; iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max; and iPhone 13/13 Pro/13 mini.
Controls, connectors and everyday features
The original iPhone relied on its touchscreen and physical controls, and Apple highlighted three sensors: an accelerometer, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor. The accelerometer could rotate the display with the device; the proximity sensor turned the screen off when the phone was held near the user’s ear. Modern examples add different interactions and connections: the iPhone 17 lists Face ID, USB-C, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, replacing the original’s 30-pin connector and wired 3.5-mm headphone jack.
This change affects more than the cable. Original accessories built for the 30-pin connector do not plug directly into USB-C, and modern wireless charging removes the need to connect a charging cable for that use. The cited modern specifications do not establish that every accessory or feature works identically across all models.
Storage and launch price: different snapshots of the 2007 model
Apple’s June 18, 2007 announcement said U.S. availability would begin June 29, with a 4GB model priced at $499 and an 8GB model at $599. Apple’s archived technical-specification page lists 8GB and 16GB capacities. These are different points in the original iPhone’s sales history, not conflicting descriptions of a single launch offer. Apple’s June 2007 announcement records the initial offer.
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Battery figures need their original context
Apple’s archived original-iPhone specification lists up to 8 hours of talk time, 250 hours of standby, 6 hours of internet use, 7 hours of video playback and 24 hours of audio playback. Apple says its battery testing was conducted on preproduction units in May and June 2007 and that results could vary. Those historical estimates are not a controlled, directly comparable test against current models.
Best Value
- ADIDAS PHONE CASE: adidas's iconic street-style designs are now available for mobile accessories. This case has a flexible cradle and a debossed trefoil logo. Add some fun and fashion to your smartphone with this stylish phone case.
- ULTIMATE PROTECTION: Take protection to the next level with this phone case from adidas. The raised edges help protect your phone screen from scratches and drops, offering more security for your smartphone.
- GREAT DESIGN: This phone cover has raised edges and easy access to buttons and ports. It also features a bezel around the camera hole to prevent flash distortion, allowing you to take the perfect picture every time.
- SUPER-DURABLE MATERIAL: This adidas Originals phone case is designed with a sturdy and robust material. It is constructed from flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), making it drop- and scratch-resistant.
- PHONE CASES: Our phone cases and accessories are compatible with many devices. We offer sizes and styles that are compatible with Apple iPhone X/Xs; iPhone XR; iPhone 6/6s/7/8/SE/2G; iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max; iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max; and iPhone 13/13 Pro/13 mini.
For a separate, clearly dated example, Apple’s September 9, 2026 announcement claims up to 36 hours of video playback for the eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro and up to 45 hours for the eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro Max. Those are Apple’s published estimates, not independent measurements, and they use a different generation and test context from the 2007 figures.
What changed most
The original iPhone established the touch-first combination of phone, music player and internet device. Modern iPhones preserve that broad role but have changed the scale and capability of nearly every component: the screen is larger and denser, cameras are more sophisticated, cellular and wireless standards have advanced, and charging, authentication and software have evolved. The first generation was a breakthrough for its moment; it is not a like-for-like substitute for a current smartphone.
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