Here's How Much the Inside of an iPhone Has Changed in Ten Years

[discuit]

Wait, the tagline of the 3G is something like "twice the speed for half the price" but the retail prices shown in the article are $499 for the original iPhone and $599 for the 3G... Did i miss something or is it a typo?!

The original iPhone was $499/$599 with contract on AT&T but was unsubsidized. Later they added a subsidy as part of a notorius price drop.

I think the 3G was available subsidized from the start, so you could pick it up for $199/$299 with contract on AT&T. The full unsubsidized price was $499/$599.

 

[EdT]

Ten years later and it's still a rounded rectangle with electronics inside and a touchscreen! Literally nothing has changed! Therefore, Apple is clearly dooomed!

(... am I doing it right?)

Pretty good for a beginner. Remember to bad mouth Jon Ivy and mention how Tim Cook is ruining the company. When someone contradicts you bring up products that had features long before Apple did and always mention that it was implemented much better. Don’t worry if this contradicts the ‘everything was better when Steve was boss’ line because you won’t mention that Steve was actually in charge when that feature was implemented. Did I mention that you should always call Tim Cook a bean counter who is killing innovation at Apple? If not, Tim Cook is nothing more than a bean counter, and innovation died when he assumed command of Apple.

 

[seatton]

Factually, from series 0/1 to series 2/3 it’s gone from 10.5mm to 11.4mm in thickness (was 8% thinner before).

As to how to describe that difference, opinions will vary. Some might not even notice the difference at all; or say it used to be somewhat thinner, or maybe say it was a lot thinner, or much thinner before.

On the MacRumors forum, the new watch is “tremendously” thicker; it’s “horrible” and definitely a sign that Ive’s been spending way too much time designing the new Apple “donut” and that Apple can’t innovate.

Some will declare they’ll never buy an Apple Watch until it’s back to 10.5mm thick. And of course, Tim Cook should be fired.

I have been wearing the watches since the launch day and I can tell the difference. I spend a lot of time using the watches since I make sure I close the rings every day and I will hit 1000 day goal in a couple months. Like you say opinions vary.

 

[CarlJ]

It would be vastly more beneficial to address the huge power draw of the antennaes.

Alternatively, address the problem of "I want 5 bars everywhere, but I don't want any cell towers (which are generally just a box attached to an existing tower/pole) anywhere in my neighborhood" - have more towers nearby, and those antennas wouldn't have to work so hard.
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...and Apple love doing things that force people to buy new accessories.

People always say this as if it's a universal truth, and Apple is rubbing its hands together and laughing maniacally. I don't think they love forcing people to do things, I would argue it's simply a matter of Apple not letting backwards compatibility get in the way of Apple heading in a direction they think is better. They're not trying to break compatibility with the old way of doing something, they simply don't see that compatibility as being an overriding factor, they don't see backwards compatibility as being more important than heading in what they see as the best direction in the future.

This is a viewpoint nearly opposite of what Microsoft had for many years, when they kept huge swaths of ancient code around to keep MSDOS programs running unmodified on succeeding versions of Windows. Microsoft was saying, "the past is what's most important", Apple was saying, "the future is what's most important". Two different viewpoints, neither is universally better than the other, pick the one that suits you best.
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Starting with the A4 chip, it is all Apple designed processors compatibe with the ARM instruction set. Samsung does not design their own processors. The differentiating thing today is Apple’s lead in the microprocessor.

To be clear, the A4-to-A11 aren't just compatible with the ARM instruction set, they're using the ARM instruction set. Apple didn't build a compatible CPU from scratch, they purchased the insanely-great ARM license, which allows them to go to town with the designs (essentially gives them the source code and full rights to riff on it), as opposed to most companies who purchase the standard ARM license, which allows them to embed one of the off-the-shelf ARM CPU designs into their own chips. Apple has done amazing, astounding things starting from the ARM design - all customized to Apple's specific needs - that puts them many years ahead of companies like Samsung that are just buying pre-built CPUs from someone else, but Apple didn't design their own processor from scratch.
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Some will declare they’ll never buy an Apple Watch until it’s back to 10.5mm thick. And of course, Tim Cook should be fired.

Yep, the Apple Watch was a much better watch back when Steve Jobs introduced it than it is now.

"And of course, Tim Cook should be fired" is becoming the "Thanks Obama" of this forum. Useable interchangeably when you drop your own ice cream.

I have a Series 0, and would love to replace it with a Series 3 (though a few other priorities are in the way). I'd love to see the watch get thinner (it's the only Apple product where that would actually be welcome), but I don't expect that an increase in thickness in the neighborhood of 1/32" will make much practical difference to me (it's so easy for people argue online over a few tenths of a millimeter - yet if you asked them to put their thumb and finger 0.9mm apart, they couldn't come anywhere close. It's an extraordinarily small distance in practical terms).

 

[Altis]

Just imagine, how the Airpods don't use any wires and seamlessly pair with the iPhone without the use of an adapter.

How is that relevant to what they said?

Few people use AirPods compared with other headphones.

 

[44267547]

How is that relevant to what they said?

Few people use AirPods compared with other headphones.

First, please read through all the post(s) before commenting on one specific one. There's multiple post discussed past this one in relation.

Second, do you have data you don't have supporting "few" people using AirPods compared to other headphones. And what categories are "Other headphones."

 

[Altis]

First, please read through all the post(s) before commenting on one specific one. There's multiple post discussed past this one in relation.

Second, do you have data you don't have supporting "few" people using AirPods compared to other headphones. And what categories are "Other headphones."

Other headphones = all headphones that are not AirPods, clearly.

Just what percentage of iPhone users do you suppose have them? 10% even? Not likely.

Unless of course you have data to suggest that a significant portion of iPhone users have AirPods. Unfortunately Apple doesn't release much in terms of sales information.

 

[44267547]

Just what percentage of iPhone users do you suppose have them? 10% even? Not likely.

Another assertion. So are you going to answer the original question posed to you or just deflect away from it?

Altis stated:

"Few people use AirPods compared with other headphones. "

So my question more specifically, what's consider few and what metric determining what's considered few based on what?

Allow me to reiterate my quote:

Do you have data you don't have supporting "few" people using AirPods compared to other headphones.

 

[Altis]

Another assertion. So are you going to answer the original question posed to you or just deflect away from it?

Altis stated:

"Few people use AirPods compared with other headphones. "

So my question more specifically, what's consider few and what metric determining what's considered few based on what?

Allow me to reiterate my quote:

The number of AirPods which have even been produced in total is going to be a fraction of the number of iPhones that are in use. There are more than 1 billion iPhones sold, and most estimates put the current use at > 700 million iPhones. Do you think there's more than say, 50 million AirPod iPhone users?

Apple doesn't release sales numbers so there's no way for either of us to put an exact figure on it. Take a look around you, though... pretty well every other person has an iPhone yet I've only ever even seen one person with AirPods here in Ottawa. Do you see them all the time where you are?

"Few" means a small percentage relative to the rest. You want an exact figure because you want to get all nit-picky about language and numbers, even though you have absolutely no numbers to counter with. But you know as well as I do that the number of people with AirPods specifically compared with ALL other headphones in use isn't going to be a large number.

A more relevant comparison would be wireless VS wired headphones. Then you could really talk about whether or not the 3.5mm jack is worthwhile or not.

9to5mac reported that AirPods took 26% of the bluetooth headphone sales following their launch -- whether or not that held out since launch is another question. What percentage of iPhone users use Bluetooth headphones in the first place is really what we should be figuring out.

In any case, AirPods aren't going to be more than 10% of iPhone users' headphones at this time... 26% of Bluetooth-only sales and only for the last year-ish compared with all other Bluetooth plus wired headphones from the past several years (or more) isn't likely to be some kind of majority.

 

[44267547]

The number of AirPods which have even been produced in total is going to be a fraction of the number of iPhones that are in use. There are more than 1 billion iPhones sold, and most estimates put the current use at > 700 million iPhones. Do you think there's more than say, 50 million AirPod iPhone users?

Apple doesn't release sales numbers so there's no way for either of us to put an exact figure on it. Take a look around you, though... pretty well every other person has an iPhone yet I've only ever even seen one person with AirPods here in Ottawa. Do you see them all the time where you are?

"Few" means a small percentage relative to the rest. You want an exact figure because you want to get all nit-picky about language and numbers, even though you have absolutely no numbers to counter with. But you know as well as I do that the number of people with AirPods specifically compared with ALL other headphones in use isn't going to be a large number.

A more relevant comparison would be wireless VS wired headphones. Then you could really talk about whether or not the 3.5mm jack is worthwhile or not.

So let's start over, because you're clearly confused based on trying to rebuttal something that you made a claim initially thinking I would not address it or it shouldn't be addressed, which still doesn't answer my question, you know why? Because I know you don't have the answer to it.

We all know Apple doesn't release numbers for Apple Watch, AirPods, accessories, etc. That's not my concern, nor is that my point.

And then, you jump to a geographic location using Ottawa as an example that you have only ever seen one person with AirPods. So what is that supposed to tell me? That means absolutely nothing in terms of comparison of what somebody sees in the public or what somebody actually owns based on what exactly? (Net sales)

And then you made the point that I have no numbers to counter with, which is correct. Reason being Altis, there is NO numbers to counter with and I'm not making an initial claims that you did originally by stating "few people use AirPods compared with other headphones. " Your claiming I am being "Nitpicky", then you shouldn't of made a comment that you did without evidence to support after being called out on it. And now you're having to backpedal and trying to pull some anecdotal information from 9to5Mac, which I don't see how the relevant source to anything.

But you know what I think, I think you're one that is disgruntled that the 3.5 mm Jack was deleted from the iPhone and you saw my comment about the AirPods, which Apple believes is their answer for the Bluetooth future, and therefore you needed to retort because you didn't agree with it and Apples decision in doing so.

 

[fmalloy]

Big omission on your part. Starting with the A4 chip, it is all Apple designed processors compatibe with the ARM instruction set. Samsung does not design their own processors. The differentiating thing today is Apple’s lead in the microprocessor.

That is certainly true. But, they are using ARM-designed RTL IP, and their design is realized by TSMC.
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Battery technology has been improving every year.

I don't think Li-ion battery technology hasn't made any major improvements in the last few years, energy density hasn't grown much.

What we need is a major breakthrough that increases the energy density, reduces charge times, etc. Apple doesn't drive this - they just pressure the technologists into doing it.
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Ah, another day on MacRumors, another hateful troll...

Right, because the forums should only be full of adulation and praise - All Hail Apple! We should brush all other innovative technology companies under the rug, because they don't matter and SJ and Apple invented everything.

 

[Altis]

So let's start over, because you're clearly confused based on trying to rebuttal something that you made a claim initially thinking I would not address it or it shouldn't be addressed, which still doesn't answer my question, you know why? Because I know you don't have the answer to it.

Great idea.... here's the original post you replied to:

Just imagine, needing an adapter to use a normal pair of 3.5mm jack headphones on an iPhone... !

They post about how you cannot natively connect any standard 3.5mm pair of headphones to a new iPhone. They are 100% correct with this observation. But for some reason, you decided to reply bringing up AirPods...

Just imagine, how the Airpods don't use any wires and seamlessly pair with the iPhone without the use of an adapter.

... as if this changes or disputes what Porco said. I point out that AirPods are not at all the norm, but are one of many types of headphones people use -- many of which use the 3.5mm jack, ie. How does your point address Porco?

We all know Apple doesn't release numbers for Apple Watch, AirPods, accessories, etc. That's not my concern, nor is that my point.

And then, you jump to a geographic location using Ottawa as an example that you have only ever seen one person with AirPods. So what is that supposed to tell me? That means absolutely nothing in terms of comparison of what somebody sees in the public or what somebody actually owns based on what exactly? (Net sales)

And then you made the point that I have no numbers to counter with, which is correct. Reason being Altis, there is NO numbers to counter with and I'm not making an initial claims that you did originally by stating "few people use AirPods compared with other headphones. " Your claiming I am being "Nitpicky", then you shouldn't of made a comment that you did without evidence to support after being called out on it. And now you're having to backpedal and trying to pull some anecdotal information from 9to5Mac, which I don't see how the relevant source to anything.

How is 9to5mac's article "anecdotal"? How is it not relevant to bring up AirPods market share when estimating just that -- market share? You're demanding I somehow prove that more than a "few" iPhone users have AirPods.

Be realistic. It's well known that iPhone ownership is very high (700+ million devices) -- how many do you reasonably expect use AirPods? You and I both know that while the sales may be good, the percentage of iPhone owners with AirPods is going to be a small fraction of that 700 million. They're late to the game and just one of hundreds of choices of headphones.

The most reasonable upper estimate wouldn't be more than 5% (35 million AirPods), which I would consider to be "few" compared with non-AirPod iPhone users. Even when it reaches 10%, that's 90% who don't use them -- a grand majority.

But you know what I think, I think you're one that is disgruntled that the 3.5 mm Jack was deleted from the iPhone and you saw my comment about the AirPods, which Apple believes is their answer for the Bluetooth future, and therefore you needed to retort because you didn't agree with it and Apples decision in doing so.

Wrong. I use Sony MDR1000s which are Bluetooth with my phone and wired when I use them with my computer.

I don't look down upon the majority of people that can't afford to blow hundreds of dollars on AirPods for no reason, though.

 

[44267547]

Great idea.... here's the original post you replied to:



They post about how you cannot natively connect any standard 3.5mm pair of headphones to a new iPhone. They are 100% correct with this observation. But for some reason, you decided to reply bringing up AirPods...



... as if this changes or disputes what Porco said. I point out that AirPods are not at all the norm, but are one of many types of headphones people use -- many of which use the 3.5mm jack, ie. How does your point address Porco?



How is 9to5mac's article "anecdotal"? How is it not relevant to bring up AirPods market share when estimating just that -- market share? You're demanding I somehow prove that more than a "few" iPhone users have AirPods.

Be realistic. It's well known that iPhone ownership is very high (700+ million devices) -- how many do you reasonably expect use AirPods? You and I both know that while the sales may be good, the percentage of iPhone owners with AirPods is going to be a small fraction of that 700 million. They're late to the game and just one of hundreds of choices of headphones.

The most reasonable upper estimate wouldn't be more than 5% (35 million AirPods), which I would consider to be "few" compared with non-AirPod iPhone users. Even when it reaches 10%, that's 90% who don't use them -- a grand majority.



Wrong. I use Sony MDR1000s which are Bluetooth with my phone and wired when I use them with my computer.

I don't look down upon the majority of people that can't afford to blow hundreds of dollars on AirPods for no reason, though.

1.) I certainly don't mind having a discussion or you or disagreements, but If you recall in Post #106, I politely asked you to read all the posts before commenting, in which case you didn't and it makes it for a more cohesive discussion if you would actually take the time to read prior to quoting. Now, this is a debacle in questions and points your completely (Perhaps inadvertently) not addressing. Because if you had, you would understand that article and the quote is in direct relation to the previous generation iPhone and today's current iPhone. My post was just as relevant as the other posters was comparing where the technology was once an and how it with evolved into Bluetooth away from the 3.5 mm Jack. The Airpods eliminate the need for the adapter, in which case I stated the Airpods suffice without it.

Allow me to redirect your focus to a post you must have over read. ,Post #31 clearly indicates what I reiterated to clarify previously to the OP:

Point is, technology has advanced where it allows us to not rely on everything that we always needed in the past and the conveniences of What we have today. But everyone appreciates different things and technology is an ever changing field.

2.) Hyperbole aside, I never "Demanded" anything you from you, I requested you to provide factual evidence on how you can confirm your assertion. Which lead me to Your 9to5Mac article, which doesn't address what I asked of you originally. You made the statement "Few people use Airpods compared to other headphones, which There is no definitive answer to that statement, which you asked me to provide counter evidence on how I could provide numbers disproving otherwise, which I openly stayed there is NO Numbers, therefore, indicating you don't have any evidence supporting your statement. 9to5Mac

3.) The Airpods themselves isn't the initial argument and nor do we know the full potential of the net sales. Given the demand and the stock is finally at bay, we can only estimate the initial sales based on rumored figures, being Apple obviously doesn't confirm these. That said, What we CAN assume is the potential growth of Bluetooth and with the deleted 3.5 Jack, Apple made it clear with the vision of where see the Airpods ultimately leading, which Bluetooth adaptation becoming more widespread.


4.) I ended my previous by stating:

"But you know what I think, I think you're one that is disgruntled that the 3.5 mm Jack was deleted from the iPhone and you saw my comment about the AirPods, which Apple believes is their answer for the Bluetooth future, and therefore you needed to retort because you didn't agree with it and Apples decision in doing so."

And then you reply by stating I'm "Wrong", since when does asserting an opinion make my statement wrong? Again, for the sake of discussion, lease reread my quote above and indicate where I concretely stated what you prefer or use, because I didn't. I formatted by stating Apple has taken a different path.


Allow me to paraphrase, if you reply to this post or at want to continue the discussion, then I at least ask if you could read the entire post versus just replying to what you Feel is convienent to fit your narrative. Skimming posts makes it difficult For the sake of a productive discussion.

 

[Tech198]

Pretty simple back then.. a block type battery which all other smartphones on the market used were removable.

Personally, I dunno what a bit of sticky tape Apple was hoping to achieve back then

 

[Porco]

They post about how you cannot natively connect any standard 3.5mm pair of headphones to a new iPhone. They are 100% correct with this observation. But for some reason, you decided to reply bringing up AirPods...

Thank you. I had no issue with Relentless Power's statements about AirPods per se, they just have nothing to do with wired headphones... by definition(!) and so equally nothing to do with a desire to use wired headphones, which was what my original post was about.

I'm sure you're correct that few people use AirPods compared to other headphones too. I am just going to choose to accept that terribly unfounded assertion () you made rather than repeatedly and pedantically demand data to prove it, because... well... it's completely obviously true IMHO, given everything we know about headphones, the world, and AirPods.

It's not besmirching the good name of AirPods to suggest that, yes they have been successful in the short time they have been on sale, but no, they haven't yet managed to replace a majority of headphones in use in the world today. It's just obvious IMHO. I guess everyone else can make their own minds up whether it's obvious or not to them.

 

[jsalda]

My original iPhone is built like a tank. It still holds a significant charge and looks almost new. It's too slow for everyday use but can function as an iPod.

Albeit, a 4, 8 or 16GB iPod. Get an old iPod v5 and drop a 256GB SD card and new battery in it.