The original iPhone turns 9 today — here's what Apple's first prototypes looked like

iphone
AllThingsD

The original iPhone launched exactly 9 years ago, but the finalized iPhone that was introduced in 2007 looked nothing like most of the prototypes designed behind the scenes at Apple HQ.

Advertisement

In fact, you might be shocked by some of the early designs that were first revealed by AllThingsD back in 2012. Some of them are clunky and angular, lacking that fine Apple-brand finish that we know today.

Luckily for Apple fans, all of these designs have entered the public domain because of the previous patent lawsuit between Apple and Samsung, and you can see them all below:

Advertisement

These sketches reveal a familiar phone...

idevice prototypes
Public Domain

...but this design looks quite alien compared to the original iPhone that launched.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain
Advertisement

Here's a blocky rectangle of a phone.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain

Now we're getting somewhere, but this looks a bit thicker than we're used to

idevice prototypes
Public Domain
Advertisement

Another chunky phone prototype.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain

Apple's early experimentation with how the edges of the phone would look.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain
Advertisement

The harsh right angles continue.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain

This one has an iPhone 3GS-ish look to it.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain
Advertisement

But this is a very unfamiliar look for Apple.

idevice prototypes
Public Domain

Dylan Love contributed to an earlier version of this post.

Apple iPhone
Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.