Why the first iPhone was a revolution
Introduction
Everyone has been going crazy over the latest of the iPhone, calling it the gamechanger, the future. It does bring with it several new features, from photonic engine and action mode to a 48MP wide sensor in the pro models to the much-awaited A16 bionic. Today, Apple is selling millions of iPhones every single year, and the numbers are pretty solid.
However, it wasn’t always like this. These developments are the result of the most important breakthrough in Apple’s history, the release of the first iPhone in 2007. This device changed the way people thought about cell phones, and it is from here that the idea of a touch phone was conceived. Within 10 years, iPhone sales have seen a whopping 15563.3% increase in sales, the numbers are now stabilizing.
Specs of the first iPhone
The 1st generation iPhone was one of its kind, it explored the idea of a multi-touch technology, which could be accessed through the user’s fingers. Until then, most cell phones had a keypad, with numbers 0 to 9. The ones which managed to have some sort of touch attribute compelled the user to use a stylus. With a 3.7-inch screen, 480 x 320 resolution for 163PPI and a 412MHz ARM processor, the ability to access voice messages out of sequence, upto 8GB hard drive and the software integration capabilities for apps such as YouTube, Google Maps and Apple Safari, this device was breathtaking.
Reactions among the general public
The hype and rumors around Apple building a unique and compact device had piqued the interests of many at the time. Even though Apple denied any such release for quite some time, a lot of experts could guess that something was brewing in Cupertino. When the iPhone was eventually released, it garnered a lot of attention, for everybody was talking about its uniqueness. However, the feature that set the iPhone apart from its competitors was that it allowed the users to use their fingers to navigate through apps and photos. The buyers were enthralled to see that they finally had a handheld device that could cater to their needs and wants, as opposed to other cell phones in the market, which were popular among the business community.
Dealing with shortcomings in subsequent models
While this iPhone was not perfect, the best part was that its shortcomings were dealt with in the subsequent models. For instance, a major concern the users had was the network speed. The 1st generation iPhone used the EDGE 2G technology. Furthermore, it wasn’t compatible with the upcoming technologies such as 3G. However, Apple came up with iPhone 3G in 2008, thereby introducing a 3G compatible iPhone. In 2009, they brought iPhone 3GS, which was a high performance iPhone, faster than almost any other phone in the market. This gradual improvement speaks volumes about how important the first iPhone was. It was, in my opinion, the starting point of the revolution we have witnessed over the years. The concept of UI/UX was in many ways redefined after Apple launched its first iPhone because this device appealed to the people. Compared to its counterparts, the iPhone was way better with its user interface and the fact that Apple has worked on this aspect consistently has made their products indispensable to many.
Final Verdict
If we compare the iPhone (1st gen) to iPhone 14, there is a huge difference. iPhone 14 is much more powerful and advanced than its ‘ancestor’. However, several of the aspects and parameters on which iPhone is evaluated today, such as UI, battery, quality, features etc., are the same as that of the first iPhone. This shows why the introduction of one iPhone began a legacy, because it was through this 3.7’’ screen that people were able to identify their needs, determine how they could interact with the little computer in their hand. Imagining the world without iPhones is hard, given how they’ve become people’s lifelines. However, we are witnessing this revolution year after year, which started back in 2007, one that changed the tech world.
