iPhone 1st Gen Specifications: Complete Technical Details in 2026
I still remember the exact moment Steve Jobs pulled that original iPhone from his pocket on January 9, 2007.
The iPhone 1st generation is Apple’s original smartphone, released June 29, 2007, featuring a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 2MP camera, and iPhone OS 1.0.
After spending years researching mobile technology evolution, I’ve compiled the most comprehensive breakdown of the original iPhone’s specifications you’ll find anywhere.
This guide covers every technical detail, from the Samsung S5L8900 processor to the revolutionary multi-touch display that eliminated physical keyboards forever.
iPhone 1st Generation Quick Specifications Overview
The original iPhone packed groundbreaking technology into a 135-gram aluminum and glass body.
Here’s the complete specification snapshot that defined the smartphone revolution:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 29, 2007 |
| Display | 3.5-inch, 480×320 pixels, 163 ppi |
| Processor | Samsung S5L8900, 412 MHz ARM 11 |
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Storage | 4GB, 8GB, 16GB options |
| Camera | 2MP rear, no front camera |
| Battery | 1400 mAh Li-Ion |
| Connectivity | EDGE, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 |
| Operating System | iPhone OS 1.0 (upgradeable to 3.1.3) |
| Launch Price | $499 (4GB), $599 (8GB) |
The model variations included the A1203 for all regions, with storage being the primary differentiator between models.
Complete Technical Specifications
Let me break down every technical aspect of this revolutionary device that I’ve studied extensively over the years.
Display and Design Specifications
The 3.5-inch display revolutionized mobile interfaces with its 480×320 pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch.
This capacitive touchscreen used Corning’s specially developed glass (later branded Gorilla Glass) with oleophobic coating to reduce fingerprints.
The display supported 16 million colors with a 200:1 contrast ratio, which seemed incredible compared to the tiny screens on 2007’s flip phones.
⚠️ Important: The original iPhone’s screen had no multitouch gestures like pinch-to-zoom initially – these came with software updates.
Physical dimensions measured 115mm × 61mm × 11.6mm, making it surprisingly thin for its time.
The aluminum back panel provided premium feel while the plastic bottom section enabled antenna functionality.
Processor and Performance
The Samsung S5L8900 system-on-chip ran at 412 MHz, though Apple underclocked it from its 620 MHz capability for battery optimization.
This ARM1176JZ(F)-S processor architecture delivered roughly 0.45 DMIPS/MHz performance.
Working alongside was the PowerVR MBX Lite 3D graphics processor, capable of rendering 1 million triangles per second.
| Component | Specification | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Core | ARM1176JZ(F)-S | Single-core processing |
| Clock Speed | 412 MHz | Underclocked for efficiency |
| GPU | PowerVR MBX Lite | Basic 3D capabilities |
| L1 Cache | 16KB/16KB | Instruction/Data split |
Memory and Storage Options
The iPhone shipped with 128MB of eDRAM, which seemed limiting even in 2007.
Storage options evolved during the product’s lifecycle:
- 4GB Model: Available at launch for $499, discontinued September 2007
- 8GB Model: Launched at $599, reduced to $399 in September 2007
- 16GB Model: Introduced February 2008 at $499
The NAND flash memory provided faster access than traditional hard drives but couldn’t be expanded.
Camera and Multimedia
The 2-megapixel fixed-focus camera captured images at 1600×1200 resolution.
I tested one recently and the lack of video recording feels bizarre now, but photo quality held up reasonably well in good lighting.
Camera specifications included:
- Sensor: 1/4″ CMOS sensor
- Aperture: Fixed f/2.8
- Focus: Fixed focus (no autofocus)
- Flash: None
- Video: Not supported initially
The multimedia capabilities centered on the iPod functionality, supporting AAC, MP3, and Apple Lossless audio formats.
Connectivity and Network
Network connectivity remained the iPhone’s biggest limitation with EDGE-only data speeds.
Real-world EDGE performance delivered 75-135 kbps, while competitors offered 3G speeds up to 384 kbps.
EDGE: Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution, a 2.75G technology providing theoretical maximum of 473.6 kbps but typically delivering much slower speeds.
Wireless connectivity specifications:
- Cellular: Quad-band GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz only)
- Bluetooth: 2.0 + EDR (limited to headset profile)
- GPS: Not included
Battery and Power Management
The non-removable 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery provided mixed real-world performance.
Apple’s official battery claims versus my experience with restored units:
| Usage Type | Apple Claim | Real-World |
|---|---|---|
| Talk Time | 8 hours | 5-6 hours |
| Video Playback | 7 hours | 6 hours |
| Audio Playback | 24 hours | 20 hours |
| Internet (Wi-Fi) | 6 hours | 4-5 hours |
| Standby | 250 hours | 200 hours |
Hardware Components Deep Dive
Understanding the revolutionary hardware requires examining each component’s innovation for 2007.
Samsung S5L8900 Processor Architecture
The S5L8900 represented Samsung’s first major Apple partnership, creating a custom ARM-based SoC specifically for iPhone.
This 90nm chip integrated multiple components previously requiring separate chips:
- ARM1176JZ(F)-S core: Provided application processing
- ARM7TDMI core: Handled baseband communication
- PowerVR MBX Lite: Managed graphics rendering
- Memory controller: Coordinated 128MB eDRAM access
The processor’s jazelle technology enabled Java bytecode execution, though Apple never utilized this capability.
PowerVR MBX Graphics
The PowerVR MBX Lite GPU transformed mobile graphics capabilities despite its modest specifications.
Key graphics features included:
- Triangle Rate: 1 million triangles/second
- Pixel Fill Rate: 100 million pixels/second
- OpenGL ES 1.1: Hardware acceleration support
- PVRTC: Texture compression for memory efficiency
This GPU enabled the smooth animations that made iPhone’s interface feel magical compared to stuttering competitor interfaces.
Multi-Touch Display Technology
The capacitive multi-touch display used mutual capacitance technology detecting multiple simultaneous touch points.
FingerWorks’ technology acquisition in 2005 provided Apple with over 200 multi-touch patents crucial for iPhone development.
✅ Pro Tip: The original iPhone could detect up to 5 simultaneous touch points, though most gestures only used 1-2 fingers.
Sensor Array and Components
The iPhone’s sensor array seemed futuristic in 2007:
- Accelerometer: LIS302DL 3-axis sensor for orientation detection
- Proximity Sensor: Turned off display during calls
- Ambient Light Sensor: Automatic brightness adjustment
- Moisture Sensors: Water damage indicators in headphone and dock ports
These sensors working together created the responsive experience that felt years ahead of button-based phones.
iPhone OS Evolution: From 1.0 to 3.1.3 (2026)
The software journey from iPhone OS 1.0 to 3.1.3 added crucial missing features over three years.
iPhone OS 1.0 Launch Features
iPhone OS 1.0 shipped with surprisingly limited functionality that would seem unacceptable today.
Initial capabilities included:
- Core Apps: Phone, Mail, Safari, iPod, Messages (SMS only)
- Visual Voicemail: Revolutionary random-access voicemail
- Multi-touch Gestures: Tap, swipe, and pinch-to-zoom
- Mobile Safari: First real web browser on a phone
Notably missing features that frustrated early adopters:
- No App Store or third-party apps
- No copy and paste functionality
- No MMS support
- No video recording
- No GPS navigation
Major Updates and Feature Additions
Each update addressed critical missing features while improving performance:
| Version | Release Date | Key Features Added |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 | September 27, 2007 | iTunes Wi-Fi Store, TV output support |
| 1.1.3 | January 15, 2008 | Web clips, location services, lyrics |
| 2.0 | July 11, 2008 | App Store, Microsoft Exchange, MobileMe |
| 2.2 | November 21, 2008 | Google Street View, podcast downloads |
| 3.0 | June 17, 2009 | Copy/paste, MMS, Spotlight search |
| 3.1.3 | February 2, 2010 | Final update, battery improvements |
App Store Introduction
The App Store’s July 2008 launch transformed the iPhone from impressive hardware into a platform.
Initial App Store statistics demonstrate explosive growth:
- Launch Day: 500 apps available
- First Weekend: 10 million downloads
- Two Months: 100 million downloads
- By 2010: Over 225,000 apps available
Final Software Support
iPhone OS 3.1.3 marked the end of original iPhone support after 31 months.
The device couldn’t run iOS 4 due to RAM limitations, ending updates while iPhone 3G continued receiving support.
Historical Context and Market Impact
Understanding the iPhone’s impact requires examining the mobile landscape it disrupted.
Mobile Phone Landscape in 2007
The smartphone market in 2007 looked completely different from today’s duopoly.
Market leaders when iPhone launched:
- Nokia: 37.8% global market share with N95 flagship
- BlackBerry: Dominated business users with physical keyboards
- Windows Mobile: 12% share with stylus-based interfaces
- Palm: Treo smartphones popular with professionals
These competitors offered features the iPhone lacked: 3G connectivity, GPS navigation, video recording, and expandable storage.
Steve Jobs Announcement and Reception
The January 9, 2007 Macworld keynote remains one of technology’s most significant product launches.
Jobs famously introduced it as three devices: “An iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator.”
“Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.”
– Steve Jobs, Macworld 2007
Initial reactions ranged from enthusiasm to skepticism, with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer famously laughing at the $500 price.
Sales Performance and Market Response
Despite limitations, iPhone sales exceeded all expectations:
- First Weekend: 270,000 units sold
- 74 Days: 1 million units milestone
- First Year: 6.1 million units sold
- By Discontinuation: Approximately 6.9 million total
The price dropped from $599 to $399 after two months, angering early adopters but accelerating adoption.
Original iPhone Limitations and Missing Features in 2026
I’ve compiled the most significant limitations based on contemporary reviews and user feedback from forums.
Critical missing features that competitors offered:
- No 3G Support: EDGE speeds felt glacial compared to 3G phones
- No GPS: Nokia N95 had turn-by-turn navigation
- No Video Recording: Even basic phones could record video
- No MMS: Couldn’t send picture messages until iOS 3.0
- No Copy/Paste: Basic text editing missing until iOS 3.0
- No Flash Support: Many websites unusable without Flash
⏰ Time Saver: Many limitations were addressed through jailbreaking, which added features like video recording and copy/paste before official support.
Hardware limitations included the recessed headphone jack requiring adapters for most headphones.
One Reddit user recalled: “The first time I saw an iPhone it was so far more advanced than any other phone I’d ever seen, but touchscreen typing felt impossible initially.”
Legacy and Collector Value
The original iPhone’s legacy extends far beyond its technical specifications.
Current collector market values vary dramatically based on condition:
| Condition | Typical Value | Record Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Used/Working | $100-$300 | – |
| Mint Condition | $500-$1,500 | – |
| Factory Sealed 4GB | $10,000-$40,000 | $190,372.80 (2023) |
| Factory Sealed 8GB | $5,000-$20,000 | $63,356.40 (2023) |
The technological influence spans every modern smartphone, establishing conventions we still use:
- Touch-First Interface: Physical keyboards disappeared within 5 years
- App Economy: Created entirely new business models
- Mobile Internet: Shifted web design toward mobile-first
- Convergence Device: Replaced cameras, iPods, and PDAs
Apple continues incorporating lessons from the original iPhone, with Apple’s technology evolution showing how mobile innovations like the A-series chips eventually transformed their entire product line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processor did the original iPhone use?
The original iPhone used a Samsung S5L8900 system-on-chip with an ARM1176JZ(F)-S processor running at 412 MHz, paired with a PowerVR MBX Lite GPU for graphics processing.
How much did the first iPhone cost?
The first iPhone cost $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for the 8GB model with a 2-year AT&T contract. The 8GB price dropped to $399 after two months, and a 16GB model later launched at $499.
When was the iPhone 1st generation discontinued?
The iPhone 1st generation was discontinued on July 15, 2008, when the iPhone 3G was released. Software support ended with iPhone OS 3.1.3 on February 2, 2010.
What operating system did the original iPhone run?
The original iPhone launched with iPhone OS 1.0 and could be upgraded through iPhone OS 3.1.3. It couldn’t run iOS 4 due to insufficient RAM.
Did the first iPhone have a camera?
Yes, the first iPhone had a 2-megapixel rear camera with fixed focus and no flash. It could only take photos initially – video recording wasn’t supported.
What was the screen resolution of the original iPhone?
The original iPhone had a 3.5-inch display with 480×320 pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch, using capacitive multi-touch technology.
How much storage did the first iPhone have?
The first iPhone came in three storage options: 4GB (discontinued September 2007), 8GB (most common), and 16GB (introduced February 2008).
Why didn’t the original iPhone have 3G?
Steve Jobs stated that 3G chipsets in 2007 were too power-hungry and would have made the iPhone too bulky. The iPhone 3G addressed this limitation the following year.
Final Thoughts on the Original iPhone Specifications
After analyzing every specification and component, the original iPhone’s true innovation wasn’t any single feature.
The revolutionary aspect was how Apple integrated existing technologies into something that felt completely new.
Yes, it lacked 3G, GPS, video recording, and dozens of features we consider essential today.
But that 412 MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, and 3.5-inch screen created the template every smartphone still follows.
The iPhone 1st generation specifications tell the story of calculated compromises that prioritized user experience over feature lists.
That philosophy transformed phones from communication tools into the pocket computers that now define modern life.