Every iPhone iteration is like a new episode in Apple’s saga of groundbreaking ideas and flawless design.
Since its debut in 2007, Apple’s iPhone has completely changed the smartphone game. Every new release brings fresh upgrades in design, tech, and performance, solidifying iPhones as some of the top smartphones around the globe. Ever thought about how each model stacks up in terms of sales and popularity?
In this blog, we’re going to dig into the numbers, looking at sales figures and market trends for various iPhone models. From the original iPhone to the latest versions, let’s take a closer look at the stats to find out which models really made a splash.
A Look at iPhone Sales Over the Years
Before diving into individual models, let’s take a quick look at Apple’s overall iPhone sales:
- Apple has sold over 2.3 billion iPhones since the first iPhone launch in 2007.
- The best-selling iPhone model of all time is the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, with over 222 million units sold.
- The iPhone 12 series became one of Apple’s fastest-selling models, crossing 100 million units in just seven months after launch.
- As of 2023, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series have been dominating the market, with millions of units sold worldwide.
Now, let’s break down iPhone statistics by model and see how each iPhone performed.
iPhone Statistics by Model
1. iPhone (2007) – The Beginning of a Revolution
- Launch Year: 2007
- Total Sales: 6.1 million units
- Key Features: 3.5-inch display, 2MP camera, no App Store
Apple’s first iPhone was a game-changer. Although it didn’t have an App Store, its touchscreen interface and sleek design set the foundation for modern smartphones.
2. iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS – The App Store Era
- Launch Year: 2008 (3G), 2009 (3GS)
- Total Sales: 35 million+ units combined
- Key Features: 3G connectivity, App Store, improved camera
The introduction of the App Store with the iPhone 3G changed everything. Millions of users rushed to buy the device, making it one of the fastest-selling phones of its time.
3. iPhone 4 & iPhone 4S – Retina Display Takes Over
- Launch Year: 2010 (4), 2011 (4S)
- Total Sales: 60+ million units combined
- Key Features: Retina Display, FaceTime, improved battery
The iPhone 4 introduced a sleek glass-and-metal design, while the iPhone 4S was the first to feature Siri, Apple’s voice assistant.
4. iPhone 5, 5S & 5C – The 4G LTE Revolution
- Launch Year: 2012 (5), 2013 (5S & 5C)
- Total Sales: 125+ million units combined
- Key Features: 4-inch display, Lightning connector, Touch ID (5S)
The iPhone 5S introduced Touch ID, while the colorful iPhone 5C targeted budget-conscious users.
5. iPhone 6 & 6 Plus – The Best-Selling iPhone of All Time
- Launch Year: 2014
- Total Sales: 222 million+ units
- Key Features: 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays, Apple Pay
With larger screens and a sleek design, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus became Apple’s best-selling iPhones ever.
6. iPhone 6S & 6S Plus – Stronger and Smarter
- Launch Year: 2015
- Total Sales: 124 million+ units
- Key Features: 3D Touch, improved camera, stronger aluminum body
The iPhone 6S series refined the iPhone experience and set the stage for future innovations.
7. iPhone 7 & 7 Plus – Saying Goodbye to the Headphone Jack
- Launch Year: 2016
- Total Sales: 160 million+ units
- Key Features: Water resistance, dual camera (7 Plus), no headphone jack
Apple’s controversial decision to remove the headphone jack sparked debate, but the iPhone 7 series still became a top seller.
8. iPhone 8, 8 Plus & iPhone X – A New Era Begins
- Launch Year: 2017
- Total Sales: 86 million+ units combined
- Key Features: Wireless charging, edge-to-edge OLED display (iPhone X), Face ID
The iPhone X introduced Face ID and removed the Home button, setting a new design trend for future iPhones.
9. iPhone XS, XS Max & XR – The Budget Flagship Strategy
- Launch Year: 2018
- Total Sales: 77 million+ units combined
- Key Features: A12 Bionic chip, Smart HDR, Liquid Retina display (XR)
The iPhone XR became Apple’s best-selling model in 2018 due to its lower price and great features.
10. iPhone 11 Series – The Budget Flagship Wins Again
- Launch Year: 2019
- Total Sales: 160 million+ units
- Key Features: Ultra-wide camera, Night Mode, powerful battery
The iPhone 11 was the most popular iPhone in 2019 and continued strong sales even in 2020.
11. iPhone 12 Series – 5G and Ceramic Shield
- Launch Year: 2020
- Total Sales: 100+ million units in first 7 months
- Key Features: 5G, MagSafe, Ceramic Shield
With 5G support and MagSafe technology, the iPhone 12 series was a huge success worldwide.
12. iPhone 13 Series – Battery and Camera Upgrades
- Launch Year: 2021
- Total Sales: Estimated 200 million+ units
- Key Features: Cinematic Mode, better battery life, A15 Bionic chip
The iPhone 13 Pro brought a 120Hz ProMotion display, making it a favorite among users.
13. iPhone 14 Series – Crash Detection & Dynamic Island
- Launch Year: 2022
- Total Sales: Still growing
- Key Features: Dynamic Island (Pro models), Emergency SOS, 48MP camera
The iPhone 14 Pro models introduced Dynamic Island, a new way to interact with notifications.
14. iPhone 15 Series – USB-C and Titanium Design
- Launch Year: 2023
- Total Sales: Still growing
- Key Features: USB-C charging, Titanium frame (Pro models), 48MP main camera
With USB-C replacing Lightning, Apple made a major design change in the iPhone 15 series.
FAQs
Which iPhone model has sold the most units?
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus hold the record for the best-selling iPhones of all time, with over 222 million units sold worldwide.
What was the first iPhone to introduce Face ID?
The iPhone X, released in 2017, was the first iPhone to feature Face ID, replacing Touch ID.
How many iPhones has Apple sold in total?
As of 2023, Apple has sold over 2.3 billion iPhones since the launch of the original iPhone in 2007.
Which iPhone model introduced 5G connectivity?
The iPhone 12 series, launched in 2020, was the first to support 5G connectivity.
Conclusion
Apple’s iPhones are still the kings of the smartphone world. Since the original iPhone dropped in 2007, every new model has introduced cool features that have changed how we interact with our phones.