When did the first iPhone come out? The answer is crystal clear — June 29, 2007. This wasn’t just a product release; it was a cultural and technological milestone that completely transformed the way we communicate, consume media, and connect with the world. Before this moment, mobile phones were mostly functional devices, used for calls, texts, and the occasional low-quality internet access.
When the first iPhone came out, Apple introduced something radically different — a sleek, touchscreen-based device that combined a phone, a music player, and a full web browser into one intuitive gadget. It marked the beginning of the smartphone era and permanently reshaped industries from telecommunications to entertainment. In this article, we’ll dive into the events leading up to that release, what made it so revolutionary, and why it still matters today.
Setting the Stage Before 2007
To fully appreciate the significance of when did the first iPhone come out, we need to rewind to the state of mobile technology in the early 2000s. This was a world before app stores, before high-speed mobile internet, and before the idea of carrying your life in your pocket was even possible.
The top players were household names:
- Nokia built rugged phones like the Nokia 3310, famous for long battery life and durability.
- BlackBerry was the king of business communication, offering secure email and physical QWERTY keyboards that professionals swore by.
- Palm sold PDAs and early smartphones, but they relied on styluses, confusing menus, and limited connectivity.
The mobile web was a stripped-down, frustrating experience, often displaying simplified “WAP” pages instead of full websites. Listening to music meant carrying a separate iPod or MP3 player, and taking photos required a standalone camera. The idea that one device could replace all these gadgets seemed far-fetched to most people.
Apple, however, saw the inefficiency and recognized the opportunity. Steve Jobs envisioned a single, beautifully designed product that would merge communication, entertainment, and internet browsing in a way no other company had achieved. When the first iPhone came out, it was this vision — executed with precision — that instantly made older devices feel obsolete.
When Did the First iPhone Come Out?
The question when did the first iPhone come out has a very specific answer: June 29, 2007. That day, technology enthusiasts and casual consumers alike witnessed history being made. The iPhone wasn’t just announced — it arrived in physical Apple Stores across the U.S., with lines of eager customers snaking around city blocks.
The first iPhone was unlike anything people had seen before. Instead of a keypad or stylus, it featured a 3.5-inch capacitive multi-touch display, allowing users to control the device with natural finger gestures like swiping, tapping, and pinching to zoom.
Core features at launch included:
- Display: 3.5 inches, 320×480 resolution
- Storage: 4GB or 8GB options
- Camera: 2-megapixel still photo camera, no video recording
- Connectivity: 2G EDGE network, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
- Operating System: iPhone OS 1.0 (the term “iOS” didn’t exist yet)
- Price: $499 for 4GB, $599 for 8GB
It also came with built-in apps like Safari for full web browsing, Mail for email, and iPod functionality for music playback. These features, combined with its sleek aluminum-and-glass design, made the first iPhone stand out instantly in a market filled with chunky, button-heavy devices.
Public Reaction & Early Sales
When the first iPhone came out, the world reacted with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and skepticism. Media outlets couldn’t get enough of it — some hailed it as a game-changer, while others questioned whether people would pay $500 for a phone that lacked basic features like 3G connectivity, MMS messaging, and copy-paste.
But public enthusiasm was undeniable. Some customers camped outside Apple Stores for days, braving heat and rain to be first in line. The launch became a cultural event, with news cameras covering the queues and interviews showing eager buyers holding their shiny new devices.
The results were impressive for a first-generation product:
- First weekend sales: Over 270,000 units
- End of 2007: Approximately 1.39 million units sold
- International expansion: The iPhone arrived in the UK, Germany, and France later that year
For Apple, these sales numbers proved that there was a massive appetite for a new kind of phone — one that prioritized user experience over technical specs. This set the stage for the iPhone’s rapid rise in the years to come.
How the iPhone Changed Everything
The moment when did the first iPhone come out marked the beginning of a seismic shift in technology. The iPhone didn’t just disrupt the phone industry; it reshaped the way we think about personal devices.
Key changes sparked by the iPhone’s arrival included:
- Touchscreens became standard: Physical keyboards and styluses quickly fell out of favor. Competitors rushed to adopt large, finger-friendly screens.
- The App Store revolution: Launched in 2008, it created an entirely new digital economy, giving developers a direct way to reach millions of users.
- Integration over fragmentation: The iPhone seamlessly combined communication, entertainment, navigation, and productivity tools in one ecosystem.
- A new design language: Glass, metal, and minimalistic icons replaced plastic bodies and cluttered menus.
It wasn’t just a device — it was a platform for future innovation. The iPhone influenced the development of mobile photography, mobile gaming, mobile banking, and even social media platforms, many of which were designed with iPhone users in mind first.
From iPhone 1 to iPhone 17
From when did the first iPhone come out in 2007 to the release of the iPhone 17, Apple has maintained a steady rhythm of innovation. Each generation introduced significant upgrades while keeping the core design philosophy intact.
Notable milestones include:
- 2008 – iPhone 3G: Introduced faster mobile internet and the App Store, which changed how people used phones forever.
- 2010 – iPhone 4: Debuted the high-resolution Retina display and a new flat-edged design.
- 2013 – iPhone 5s: Added Touch ID fingerprint security.
- 2017 – iPhone X: Removed the home button, introduced Face ID, and adopted an edge-to-edge OLED display.
- 2020 – iPhone 12: Added 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- 2023 – iPhone 15 Pro: Used lightweight titanium and added advanced computational photography features.
Every release built upon the foundation set when the first iPhone came out, showing Apple’s commitment to evolving while staying true to its original vision — a device that’s simple to use, beautifully designed, and powerful enough to handle anything.
Fun Facts About the First iPhone
When the first iPhone came out, it surprised even die-hard Apple fans. Some fun facts include:
- It did not support third-party apps until the App Store launched in 2008.
- It was tied exclusively to AT&T in the U.S. for several years.
- It could not send picture messages at launch.
- Copy and paste functionality was missing until iPhone OS 3.0.
- Its 2G internet speed was slower than even budget mobile plans today.
Why This Story Still Matters Today
The story of when did the first iPhone come out is more than just a date in tech history. It’s a masterclass in product vision, user experience, and market disruption. Apple didn’t invent the smartphone, but they reinvented it in a way that made older designs feel obsolete overnight.
For startups and innovators, the lesson is clear:
- Identify a gap in the market.
- Solve multiple problems with one elegant solution.
- Focus on usability and emotional connection, not just technical specifications.
Conclusion
When did the first iPhone come out? June 29, 2007 — the day mobile technology entered a new era. From that moment, the smartphone evolved from a niche gadget into an essential part of daily life. What started as a bold gamble by Apple became the blueprint for modern communication, proving that innovation paired with vision can reshape the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When did the first iPhone come out?
The first iPhone came out on June 29, 2007.
Q2. Who created the iPhone?
The iPhone was created by Apple Inc., led by Steve Jobs.
Q3. How much was the first iPhone?
The first iPhone was $499 for 4GB, $599 for 8GB.
Q4. Did the first iPhone have the App Store?
No, the App Store launched in 2008 with the iPhone 3G.
Q5. Could the first iPhone record video?
No, it only took still photos.
Q6. Was the first iPhone available worldwide?
No, it launched in the U.S. first, with limited international release later in 2007.
Q7. How many units sold in the first year?
Approximately 1.39 million.
Q8. Why is the first iPhone considered revolutionary?
It introduced a multitouch interface, full web browsing, and integrated multiple devices into one.
