The History of the iPhone
While Apple certainly wasn’t the only company to come up with the idea of a smartphone, it would be difficult to argue that Apple’s fingerprints aren’t all over today’s smartphones thanks to the iPhone. Take a look at the numbers behind Apple’s smartphone revolution and what the future might for the device.
1999
BlackBerry’s first device, a two-way pager with email capabilities, hits the market. Though it’s not a smartphone, it helps set the stage for future advancements. (1)
2000
The word “smartphone” is used to advertise an Ericsson device, a lightweight flip phone running on the Symbian operating system, the industry leader at the time. (1)
2002
BlackBerry’s first mobile phone, the 5810, is released, combining calling with email and Web surfing. (2)
2003
Palm introduces the Treo 600, its first smartphone. (2)
2005
Apple’s annual revenue: $13.93 billion (3)
2006
Only 1% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. (4)
Apple’s annual revenue: $19.32 billion (3)
2007
Apple combined the features of a smartphone with a multi-touch screen with its revolutionary iPhone. (2)
The company reports selling 270,000 units during the first 30 hours of sales. (5)
Global iPhone units sold: 1.39 million (6)
Apple’s annual revenue: $24.01 billion (3)
2008
Smartphones with Google’s Android operating system hit the market, quickly becoming Apple’s chief rival. (1)
Apple’s second-generation iPhone, dubbed the iPhone 3G, includes push email and the AppStore, which introduces third-party applications to the device for the first time. (7)
Global iPhone units sold: 11.63 million (6)
Apple’s annual revenue: $32.48 billion (3)
2009
Global iPhone units sold: 20.7 million (6)
Apple’s annual revenue: $42.6 billion (8)
2010
iPhone 4 is the first to feature Apple’s high-resolution “retina display.” The company also adds a front-facing camera for video calls and updates the iPhone’s design by replacing the rounded back panel with a flat surface. (7)
Global iPhone units sold: 33.99 million (6)
7% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. (4)
Apple’s annual revenue: $65.07 billion (8)
2011
Apple founder Steve Jobs dies.
The company’s iPhone 4S brings Siri, iCloud, iMessage and native Twitter integration. It’s also the first iPhone released after Jobs’ death. (7)
35% of American adults own smartphones (9)
Platform adoption among U.S. cell phone owners (9)
iPhone: 10%
Android: 15%
BlackBerry: 10%
Windows: 2%
Global iPhone units sold: 72.3 million (6)
Apple’s annual revenue: $108.6 billion (8)
2012
Apple’s iPhone 5 features an aluminum frame, making it lighter than previous models, and replaces the 30-pin connector with a new “lightning” connector. (7)
45% of American adults own smartphones (9)
Platform adoption among U.S. cell phone owners (9)
iPhone : 19%
Android: 20%
BlackBerry: 6%
Windows: 2%
Global iPhone units sold: 125.04 million (6)
Apple’s annual revenue: $156 billion (8)
2013
Apple introduces two models, the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. The 5C features brightly colored bodies, breaking out of the white or black mode, and comes at a cheaper standard price. The 5S has the same shape as the iPhone 5 but has an updated processor, comes with TouchID fingerprint recognition technology and comes in gold in addition to white and black. (7)
The company reports selling 9 million new models in just three days; that’s 125,000 phones per hour. (10)
56% of American adults own smartphones (9)
Platform adoption among U.S. cell phone owners (9)
iPhone: 25%
Android: 28%
BlackBerry: 4%
Windows: 1%
Global iPhone units sold: 150.26 million (6)
An estimated 22% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. (4)
Annual smartphone sales surpass feature phone sales for the first time. (11)
Global smartphone sales: 968 million (11)
Apple’s annual revenue: $170.9 billion (8)
2014
Apple is expected to release iPhone 6, which, if you listen to the rumor mill, will come with a faster processor and a harder glass display. (12)
Global iPhone units sold: 129.95 million (midway through third quarter) (6)
Average Apple revenue projection for 2014: $180.2 billion (13)
2015
Average Apple revenue projection for 2015: $197 billion (13)
Sources:
1. http://mashable.com
2. http://www.techhive.com
3. http://www.wikinvest.com
4. http://www.businessinsider.com
5. http://www.engadget.com
6. http://www.statista.com
7. http://www.ibtimes.com
8. http://www.marketwatch.com
9. http://www.pewinternet.org
10. http://www.apple.com
11. http://www.gartner.com
12. http://appleinsider.com
13. https://finance.yahoo.com
