The iPhone has seen some significant changes to its design in the last few years, but most models have a very similar appearance, making it challenging to identify which model of Apple’s smartphone a person owns. This information is needed to find compatible cases, screen protectors, and other accessories. In addition, when buying a used iPhone, it is good to know which country it was designed for since there are differences in operation around the world.
Apple rarely alters the look of the iPhone. It’s a bit like a luxury car that only sees significant design updates after several years have passed. The first model was released in 2007, sporting what seemed like a big screen at the time, but 3.5-inches is ridiculously tiny compared to modern iPhone models. As time passed, Apple retained the same look and simply became larger. 2012’s iPhone 5 was the first to have flat edges. However, the curves returned in 2014 with the iPhone 6. The iPhone X was the first ‘all-screen’ model, a big Apple announcement in 2017, meaning it didn’t have a Home button, allowing for a much larger display. The next significant change came in 2020 when the iPhone 12 reintroduced flat edges.
Within a single year, Apple might release five iPhone base models. While size differences and the number of cameras can help identify which is which, there are variations among those that can’t be seen on the outside. The actual model number can reveal all of the technical specifications and the region within which an iPhone was meant to operate. On recent devices, users can find two types of model numbers in Apple’s Settings app under the General tab. The user can tap ‘About’ and look near the top to see the model name that Apple uses in marketing the product. For example, ‘iPhone 13 mini’ or ‘iPhone SE (3rd generation)’ are model names. To learn the exact specifications, just below the model name in Settings, Apple gives the model number, but the 8-character code displayed isn’t the most helpful information. Tapping this code reveals a five-character model number that users can find on Apple’s website.
What The Model Number Reveals
On older devices, the model number might be on the back of the iPhone in a tiny, low-contrast print. A magnifying glass is helpful in this case. On an iPhone 8 or later, the model number is also in the SIM tray slot. The model number is on the upper side, which is the side with the display. Once the shorter number is found, a visit to Apple’s website will show a list of all iPhone base models. Tapping the Share button and selecting ‘Find in Page’ makes it easy to enter the model number and jump to the correct part of the page. The user can then tap a link to see the technical specifications of their iPhone.
Users can use the longer eight-character model number to identify how much memory the iPhone has and its color. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t have a way to find this information via its website. However, a web search will usually deliver an answer. If the iPhone is within reach, the color can be seen, and the memory capacity is shown in the ‘About’ section in General Settings. The Settings app is the best way to learn more about an iPhone, and Apple’s website is the most trustworthy source of additional information.
