Since the original iPhone launched in 2007 we have seen great new features. If you compare the latest iPhone to the first one in 2007, there is vast improvements. Such as:
GPS
When iPhone was first launched it had no GPS. It wasn’t until the second iPhone, iPhone 3G, was launched in 2008 that this feature was included.
Cut, Copy & Paste
Being able to cut, copy, and paste text has been part of the iPhone since Apple ushered in the GUI-based personal computing revolution with the Mac. Apple wanted to be sure they’d got the feature right before releasing it, as opposed to just throwing it out to it’s users, so it took a little while to come out. It wasn’t released as a feature until iOS3 came out when iPhone 3GS was released in 2009. Apple executives also say that they had more important iPhone features they wanted to tackle before dealing with this.
Retina Display
Retina Display was released with the iPhone 4 in 2010. Apple’s Retina Display brought a clarity and vibrancy to mobile displays that most people hadn’t previously experienced, packing an incredible 326 pixels per inch. Steve Jobs said the iPhone 4 was an A+ upgrade, and the Retina Display is a big contribution. If you place any Retina Display iPhone next to an older-generation model, the difference is shocking.
Touch ID
When the iPhone 5s was released in 2013 Apple introduced Touch ID, bringing futuristic technology into the mainstream. Although the Touch ID created some criticism regarding privacy, the feature has been a large success for Apple and a great USP. The introduction of Touch ID has also led to a decrease in iPhone thefts. Touch ID will likely be essential to keep as a feature on the future iPhone’s, as it has become a key selling point.
Siri
Siri was the most popular new feature when it was introduced when the iPhone 4s was released in 2011. Siri was originally somewhat limited, but Siri’s capabilities have gradually expanded quite a lot over the past few years. From google searching on your behalf, to checking sport scores, to finding near restaurants and making reservations at them, making dinner reservations, Siri is capable of a lot. There is also a comedy element, as asking Siri personal questions can lead to sarcastic answers, leaving users entertained for hours.
LTE Support
When the iPhone 5 was released in 2012, Apple included LTE functionality. It has allowed users to browse the web at greater speeds. Although some felt LTE was long overdue, we mustn’t forget Apple likes to take it’s time to get each feature right. Don’t forget that the original iPhone in 2007 didn’t even have 3G!
Larger Display
A key selling point of iPhone competitors (e.g HTC, Samsung) was that they offered users devices with larger screens. People like to watch movies, play HD games etc on their phones now, so want bigger screens to see clearly. Consequently, after standing by a 3.5-inch display for five years, Apple with the release of the iPhone 5 in 2012 finally upgraded with a 4-inch display. With the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014, Apple went even further with 4.7 inch display with the iPhone 6, and 5.5 inch display with iPhone 6 Plus. Surely Apple can’t take it any further with iPhone 7…?
Facetime
Facetime was introduced with the iPhone 4 in 2010. It’s the kind of thing you can’t appreciate until you end up using it. It was the first phone to allow you to video chat without using an app that doesn’t belong to the phone, like Skype. Steve Jobs was extremely happy and proud to demo this feature.
Camera
The camera quality and feature set of the iPhone has gradually improved with each new model. The image quality of the iPhone 6 is light-years ahead of what was capable just three years ago. Apple has added in some fantastic photo quirks, such as panoramic photo options, slow-motion video capabilities, time-lapse video functionality, square sized images (useful for Instagram), HQ video, and camera filters.
Width
Through the years each iPhone has felt lighter and lighter, due to getting slimmer and slimmer. This not only looks better physically, but is easier to hold and carry, and has become a key selling point. The iPhone 6, released in 2014, is now one of the slimmest phones in the world. Is the iPhone 7 going to be able to get any slimmer?
http://www.techworld.com/picture-gallery/mobile/apples-most-important-iphone-upgrades-over-years-3532502/#1