iPhone

A series of smartphones released by Apple since 2007 that defined the standard for the modern smartphone industry.

iPhone

Overview

iPhone (아이폰) is a series of smartphones developed and sold by Apple Inc. It was first unveiled by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, at the Macworld Conference in San Francisco, and was released in the United States on June 29 of the same year. By combining a multi-touch capacitive touchscreen with a full-screen design that eliminated the physical keyboard, it integrated the functions of feature phones, PDAs, and portable music players into one device, and effectively redefined the standards for hardware, software, and business models in the smartphone industry. As of 2024, cumulative sales are estimated to have exceeded 2.3 billion units, and it is the core product line accounting for more than half of Apple's total revenue.

Key Details

Development and History

  • 2007: Release of the first-generation iPhone. It introduced a 3.5-inch screen, iPhone OS (now iOS), the Safari browser, and multi-touch gestures.
  • 2008: iPhone 3G — The launch of 3G communications and the App Store marked the beginning of the app ecosystem.
  • 2010: iPhone 4 — Retina display, the first front-facing camera, and an aluminum-and-glass sandwich design.
  • 2012: iPhone 5 — A 4-inch screen and a switch from the 30-pin dock to the Lightning connector.
  • 2014: iPhone 6/6 Plus — Introduction of 4.7/5.5-inch large screens, recording the highest sales volume in history.
  • 2017: iPhone X — Removal of the Home button, an OLED full screen, and a shift to biometric authentication with Face ID.
  • 2020: iPhone 12 — 5G support, a flat-edge design, and the introduction of the MagSafe magnetic attachment standard.
  • 2023: iPhone 15 — A switch from Lightning to USB-C in line with EU regulations.
  • 2024: iPhone 16 — Equipped with the A18 chip designed with Apple Intelligence in mind and a Camera Control button.

Hardware Features

Apple uses its own custom-designed A-series system-on-chip (SoC), and as of 2024, the A18/A18 Pro is manufactured on a 3nm process. Super Retina XDR OLED is standard for the display, and Pro models include 120Hz ProMotion and an Always-On display. Cameras have evolved to strengthen professional-grade features such as a 48MP main sensor, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, log video recording, and spatial video. Frame materials are applied differently by tier, moving from stainless steel to titanium to aluminum, and the front is protected by Ceramic Shield. Recent models have added an Action button and a Camera Control button, reflecting a trend toward more physical controls again.

Software and Ecosystem

iOS is a closed operating system tightly integrated with the hardware, and its strengths include cross-device features such as the App Store, iCloud, Apple Pay, AirDrop, Handoff, and Continuity Camera. This integrated ecosystem creates a strong lock-in effect and high loyalty, and its privacy policies centered on App Tracking Transparency (ATT) and on-device processing are key marketing points for the iPhone. Meanwhile, in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), alternative app marketplaces and NFC access have been permitted in Europe since 2024, entering a new phase of relaxed closedness.

Market and Competition

In terms of shipments, the iPhone ranks in the global top two, but in terms of revenue and profit, it is the absolute leader in the premium market, accounting for more than 40% of the smartphone market. Major competing products include the Samsung Galaxy S series and foldables, Google Pixel, and China's Xiaomi, Huawei, and OPPO. Production is carried out through contract manufacturing arrangements with companies such as Foxconn and Pegatron, and the share of production in India has recently been expanding rapidly.

Latest Trends

  • Apple Intelligence: A group of generative AI features announced at WWDC 2024, including writing tools, notification summaries, image generation, and an enhanced Siri. ChatGPT integration was added at the end of 2024, and in 2025 multilingual support, including Korean, was expanded.
  • iPhone 16e (February 2025): A model that reorganized the entry-level lineup, completely removing the Home button and applying Face ID and USB-C as standard.
  • iPhone 17 series (September 2025): An ultra-thin "iPhone Air" line was newly established, and 120Hz displays were included even on the base model, narrowing the gap with lower-tier models.
  • Regulatory response: In accordance with the EU DMA, alternative app marketplaces, default browser choice screens, and NFC access are being implemented in stages.
  • Supply chain restructuring: The share of production in India is expanding, and the system is shifting toward sourcing a significant portion of U.S.-bound volume from India.
  • Technology keywords: On-device AI, satellite communication-based emergency rescue, ultra-wideband (UWB) precise positioning, and strengthened privacy protection have become key topics for the 2025 iPhone.

Related Topics

  • [[Apple]]
  • [[iOS]]
  • [[Steve Jobs]]
  • [[App Store]]
  • [[Samsung Galaxy]]
  • [[Smartphone]]