The craze is here for the newly launched iPhone 17. Thousands of people are waiting in line to get their hands on the iPhone 17. Year after year, it has become a familiar sight for us. Launch of new iPhone model, people in the queue as early as 1 am. This long line of people waits for hours, sometimes even days. Are they only Gen Z? No, they are from each generation, even baby boomers. All the teenagers, parents, and even grandparents, all excited to get the new phone. This is the craze of the iPhone. While the iPhone has become a status symbol for some, tech savvy for another or a mere upgrade for the rest, it is the device people are willing to go to any extent for. But for almost everyone, it has become a device they can’t live without. It is the device of the 21st century and a symbol of popularity.
However, we doubt that you remember the first iPhone. The original iPhone was launched in 2007. Seems hazy enough to recall, isn’t it? That first phone was much simpler, but it started a revolution that changed the world. Corporate Soldiers brings you the memorama of how the iPhone evolved from a simple device into the supercomputer we carry in our pockets today!
The Launch of The First iPhone
Steve Jobs gave us the iPhone on January 9, 2007. It was one of the most memorable moments in technology history. During the Macworld event in San Francisco, he, dressed in his signature black turtleneck and blue jeans, showed the world the first ever iPhone, the original iPhone. He captivated the audience with his storytelling and showmanship. But it was not just the debut of one product, but three innovative products. What were those products? A widescreen iPod with touch controls, a mobile phone, and internet communicator. Every product shocked people when he revealed to them that all three were combined into a single device named the iPhone. Yes, that was the twist and brilliant storytelling that captivated his audience.
Jobs’ Presentation & Product Launch
This is how Jobs emphasized everything. A phone with multi-screen touch, software integration, and internet capabilities, the iPhone was years ahead of other phones. Jobs’ presentation claimed that Apple was actually reinventing the phone. It was obvious that the audience was speechless and surprised by features like slide-to-unlock and the smooth interface, which were absent at the time. This is how Jobs’s transcendental presentation sets a new standard for every product launch. And as expected, iPhone quickly became a global craze for every generation.
The First iPhone, 2007
Were you looking for launch videos already? Now, let’s try to recall the look of the first iPhone. It was a simple glass rectangle with a screen you could touch. You could pinch to zoom in on pictures and scroll with a simple flick of your finger. You could use it as a phone, an iPod for music, and a device for browsing the internet. This is why people were amazed by how easy and fun it was to use.
The original iPhone had a 3.5-inch multitouch screen and had no physical keyboard or stylus. The design was simple and elegant, which is why it became a symbol for luxury. No doubt people were mesmerized. Hence, despite initial criticisms regarding network limitations (EDGE connectivity) and the absence of third-party apps at launch, the iPhone attained commercial success. It sold nearly two million units within its first year.
The iPhone 3G and the App Store (2008-2009)
Nowadays, we get year after year model launches by Apple. It was the year 2008-2009, Apple started this ritual. They introduced high-speed 3G connectivity and brought the App Store through iPhone 3G. The launch of the App Store opened a new opportunity for developers worldwide to create apps, which further transformed the iPhone. Needless to say, the excitement of people was infectious; people waited in lines (as they do now) eagerly upgrading to experience and to get their new iPhones. The 3GS (2009) improved processing power and included video recording capabilities in its model.
iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 (2010-2012), Apple Changed Designs and Displays
Soon after the release of iPhone 3G, Apple launched iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 (2010-2012). The iPhone 4 has such a considerable advancement in hardware design. Its glass and stainless steel frame combined with the Retina display, which Apple touted as sharper than the human eye could see, and the debut of FaceTime video calling and front-facing cameras that were missing earlier. Similarly, iPhone 4S (2011) had enhanced computational capabilities with a dual-core A5 processor and debuted Siri. Yes, our good old Siri, Apple’s intelligent voice assistant and introduced AI elements into the user interface.
Touch ID, Bigger Screens, and No Headphone Jack (2013-2016)
The iPhone 5 pushed innovation further with a taller screen, LTE network support, and the introduction of the Lightning connector. But the model became popular because of its light aluminum body. Also, it had Touch ID fingerprint scanning, sleek security, with ease of use. Now, Apple has also begun changing the screen size preferences with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. These were their first larger-screen models. In 2016, Apple dared to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7. This sparked a debate but introduced a wireless path forward for Apple. Water resistance and advanced camera systems were also added to these phones.
iPhone X and Beyond (2017-2021)
When the iPhone X was launched, it further made the iPhone desirable. It became a status symbol for people. For them, as one longs for a Cartier, they longed for an iPhone. It had an edge-to-edge OLED screen, the removal of the home button, and Face ID facial recognition. It cost a premium but set a new design standard for the iPhone model. Apple refined other models with the same pattern, with the iPhone 11 Pro and 12 series, the arrival of 5G began and enhanced camera arrays, and MagSafe charging. People queued for hours to get their hands on these marvels.
USB-C, Action Buttons, and Camera Magic (2022-2025)
Recently, the iPhone 15 series introduced the long-awaited USB-C port. Now this calls for a cheering moment, doesn’t it? People who were tired of proprietary cables cheered the most. Apple added titanium frames, periscope telephoto lenses for powerful zoom, and customizable Action Buttons replacing mute switches. Similarly, the iPhone 16 and 17 series pushed the limits further with bigger screens, smarter chips, and refined camera controls.
The Frenzy, The Craze, The Incredible Sales For Apple
Apple has defined a new sense of craziness, and we can say iPhone launches are legendary. It’s almost like hysteria among people. From lines outside stores in 2007 to online sales hitting millions in mere hours, everyone goes frenzy. People trade in their old devices, camp overnight, and eagerly share unboxing videos and reviews. The craze isn’t just about tech; it’s about being part of a cultural phenomenon. The Instagram and YouTube uploads, this is what people follow the most these days. Let’s see the first day of sales of each iPhone model!
| Model | Launch Date | First Day of Sales |
| iPhone 1st Gen | 2007 | 270,000 sold in 1st week (U.S. only) |
| iPhone 3G | 2008 | 1 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone 3Gs | 2009 | 1 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone 4 | 2010 | 1.7 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone 4S | 2011 | 4 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone 5 | 2012 | 5 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone 5S/5C | 2013 | 9 millions units (combined 5S & 5C) in first weekend |
| iPhone 6/6 Plus | 2014 | Over 10 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone 6S/6S Plus | 2015 | Over 13 million units in first weekend |
| iPhone SE 1st Gen, iPhone 7/7 Plus | 2016 | 13 million+ (7 series; SE not broken out) |
| iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone X | 2017 | Over 12.5 million (combined estimate) with strong X demand |
| iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR | 2018 | Over 11-12 million (early period, all models) |
| iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max | 2019 | Over 12 million (estimated, opening weekend) |
| iPhone SE 2nd Gen, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone Pro Max | 2020 | Over 10 million+ (12 series, opening period) |
| iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max | 2021 | Over 6.5-9 million (various reports, strong opening) |
| iPhone SE 3rd Gen, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max | 2022 | Strong demand as previous model |
| iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max | 2023 | iPhone 15 Pro Max was top-selling as it claimed 1% global smartphone market |
| iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max | 2024 | Record sales in India; estimated over 25% surge for Pro lineup |
| iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max | 2025 | iPhone 17 sales outpaced iPhone 16 by over 19% |
How Much Has History Changed?
We believe iPhone has not only changed phones, but it changed society. It is a society where people go crazy, almost in hysteria, for iPhone’s new model. Content creators use iPhones for their camera quality as Apple has reinvented photography with computational wonders. No doubt that Apple also reshaped communication with instant messaging and FaceTime and transformed music with portable streaming, and enabled entire industries of apps that touch every aspect of daily life. But iPhone has also become a statement of luxury, the access to premium things and high-end exclusivity. From student sketching ideas to CEOs managing global business, the iPhone is in every hand these days, isn’t it?
Corporate Soldiers believes that with every upgrade, Apple launches waves of excitement and anticipation among people. It’s a statement, it’s a lifestyle choice beyond a gadget.
