The Evolution of iPhone Sizes
From the pocket-friendly original to the cinema-in-your-pocket Pro Max. A journey through 18 years of design.
2007: The Original
Screen: 3.5" | Height: 115mm
Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone as a "widescreen iPod with touch controls." At 3.5 inches, it was considered huge at the time compared to BlackBerry screens.
2012: Getting Taller (iPhone 5)
Screen: 4.0" | Height: 123.8mm
Apple finally increased the screen size to 4 inches, but only by making it taller, keeping the width the same for one-handed use.
2014: The Big Leap (iPhone 6 & 6 Plus)
Screen: 4.7" & 5.5" | Height: 138mm & 158mm
Bowing to market pressure for larger screens, Apple released the 4.7" iPhone 6 and the massive 5.5" 6 Plus. This defined iPhone sizes for years.
2017: All Screen (iPhone X)
Screen: 5.8" | Height: 143.6mm
By removing the Home button, Apple fit a 5.8" screen into a body smaller than the iPhone 8 Plus. The modern era began.
2020: The Mini Experiment (iPhone 12 mini)
Screen: 5.4" | Height: 131.5mm
Apple answered the call for a small phone with the 12 mini. It was loved by fans but didn't sell well enough to last beyond two generations.
2024: Maximum Size (iPhone 16 Pro Max)
Screen: 6.9" | Height: 163mm
The Pro Max grew to 6.9 inches, the largest iPhone display ever, blurring the line between phone and tablet.
2025: The Thin Revolution (iPhone 17 Air)
Thickness: 5.64mm | Weight: 165g
While screens stayed big, Apple focused on thinness. The iPhone 17 Air became the thinnest iPhone ever, marking a new design direction.
Size Trend Summary
Height Increase
+42%
2007 vs 2025
Weight Increase
+72%
Original vs 17 Pro Max
Screen Area
+288%
3.5" vs 6.9"