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iPhone Q&A (iPhone FAQ)
Update Published September 26, 2024
Also see: iPhone Specs | All Apple Q&As
EveryiPhone.com's iPhone Q&A answers questions about all iPhone models from the original released in 2007 to the current line.
Questions range from "What are the major differences between the iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?" to "Which iPhone models support iOS 18? Do some models 'partially' support iOS 18? Which ones?" and everything in between.
Please note that the current iPhone models are the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus; iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus; iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max; and iPhone SE 3. Earlier iPhone devices have been discontinued, but EveryiPhone's iPhone Q&A covers all models in detail, regardless of release date.
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Most Frequently Asked iPhone Q&As:
Which iPhone models support iOS 18? Do some models "partially" support iOS 18? Which ones?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?
How much internal storage does each iPhone model have? Can internal storage be expanded? Is it possible to add external storage? Does the iPhone have a MicroSD slot?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 14 (2022), iPhone 15 (2023), and iPhone 16 (2024)? Aren't these iPhone models basically the same?
What are the major differences between the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3? Is the iPhone SE 3 a lot better?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X? Are these vintage models still worth considering?
What is the best external keyboard for the iPhone? Is it even possible to use an external keyboard with these devices?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8? Are these increasingly ancient models still usable?
Does the iPhone have a SIM card? Which iPhone models have which types of SIM cards? Which support eSIM? How do you remove the SIM?
iPhone "Basics" Q&As:
What is a "smart phone"?
Does the iPhone have a SIM card? Which iPhone models have which types of SIM cards? Which support eSIM? How do you remove the SIM?
What is Micro SIM? How is it different from a regular SIM card?
What is Nano SIM? How is different from Micro SIM or a regular SIM card? Which iPhone models use a Nano SIM card?
Does the iPhone support handwriting recognition?
Does the iPhone support FileVault? Is information stored on the iPhone encrypted and password protected? Does it have biometric capabilities?
What operating system does the iPhone use? Can it run Mac OS X applications like Skype and Photoshop?
How can I upgrade from an older iPhone to a new iPhone?
How can I begin to troubleshoot a problem with the iPhone?
iPhone Software & Software Compatibility Q&As:
What operating system does the iPhone use? Can it run Mac OS X applications like Skype and Photoshop?
Which iPhone models support iOS 18? Do some models "partially" support iOS 18? Which ones?
Which iPhone models support iOS 17? Do some models "partially" support iOS 17? Which ones?
Which iPhone models support iOS 16? Do some models "partially" support iOS 16? Which ones?
Which iPhone and iPod touch models support iOS 15? Do some models "partially" support iOS 15? Which ones?
Which iPhone and iPod touch models support iOS 14? Do some models "partially" support iOS 14? Which ones?
Which iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad models support iOS 13? Do some models "partially" support iOS 13? Which ones?
Which iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models support iOS 12? Do some models "partially" support iOS 12? Which ones?
Which iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models support iOS 11? Do some models "partially" support iOS 11? Which are slower running iOS 11 than iOS 10? What about apps?
Which iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models support iOS 10? Do some models "partially" support iOS 10? Which ones?
Which iPhone models fully support iOS 9? For models that "partially" support iOS 9, which features are and are not supported?
Which iPhone models fully support iOS 8? For models that "partially" support iOS 8, which features are and are not supported?
Which iPhone models fully support iOS 7? For models that "partially" support iOS 7, which features are and are not supported?
Which iPhone models fully support iOS 6? For models that "partially" support iOS 6, which features are and are not supported?
Which iPhone models fully support iOS 4? Which models partially support iOS 4? For models that "partially" support iOS 4, which features are and are not supported?
What is Siri? How do you turn Siri on or off? Why is Siri so stupid? Which iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models are supported? Are hacks available to run Siri on unsupported models?
Can the iPhone run Mac OS X or iPod games?
iPhone 15 & 16 Series Comparison Q&As (Current):
What are the major differences between the iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro/iPhone 15 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 14 (2022), iPhone 15 (2023), and iPhone 16 (2024)? Aren't these iPhone models basically the same?
iPhone 14 Series Comparison Q&As (Current):
What are the major differences between the iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro/iPhone 14 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?
How fast are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 14 (2022), iPhone 15 (2023), and iPhone 16 (2024)? Aren't these iPhone models basically the same?
iPhone SE 2 & SE 3 Comparison Q&As (SE 3 Current):
What are the major differences between the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3? Is the iPhone SE 3 a lot better?
What are all the differences between the iPhone SE 3 models? How many are there around the world?
How fast is the iPhone SE 3 compared to the iPhone SE 2 it replaced? How fast is the iPhone SE 3 compared to earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone SE 3? Is it for me?
What are all the differences between the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) models? How many are there around the world?
What are the major differences between the iPhone XR and iPhone SE (2nd Gen)? Which is best for me?
How fast is the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) compared to the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR? How fast is it compared to earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone SE (2nd Gen)? Is it for me?
iPhone 13 Series Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are the major differences between the iPhone 13 mini/iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro/iPhone 13 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 13 (2021) and the iPhone 12 (2020)? Which is best for me?
How fast are the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
iPhone 12 Series Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are the major differences between the iPhone 12 mini/iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro/iPhone 12 Pro Max? Which is best for my needs?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 12 (2020) and the iPhone 11 (2019)? Which is best for me?
How fast are the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max? How many versions of each are there? Which is best for me?
What are the major differences between the iPhone XR and iPhone 11? Which is best for my needs?
How fast are the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max compared to another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
iPhone XS, XS Max & XR Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max? How many versions are there? Which is better?
What are the major differences between the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the iPhone XR models? How many versions are there?
What are the major differences between the iPhone XR and iPhone 11? Which is best for my needs?
How fast are the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR? Is one the right iPhone for me?
iPhone X Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are the major differences between the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X? Are these older models still worth considering?
What are all the differences between the iPhone X? How many different versions are there?
How fast are the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
iPhone 8 & 8 Plus Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are the major differences between the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8? Are these increasingly vintage models still worth considering?
What are the major differences between the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X? Are these older models still worth considering?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus? How many different versions are there?
How fast are the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
iPhone 7 & 7 Plus Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models? How many are there around the world?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 7? Which is best?
How fast are the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models compared to one another and earlier iPhone models?
iPhone SE (Original) Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the original iPhone SE models?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and original iPhone SE? Are any of these small iPhone models still worth buying?
What are all the differences between the original iPhone SE and the iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus? Which is the best choice for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the original iPhone SE? Is it the right iPhone for me?
iPhone 6s & 6s Plus Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus? Which should I buy?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus? How much better are the newer models than their predecessors?
How fast are the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus compared to one another and earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus? Which one should I buy?
iPhone 6 & 6 Plus Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus models? Is one best for me?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6 models?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6 Plus models?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and the earlier iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s? Are any of these models still a usable option?
How fast are the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus compared to one another and the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus? Which one should I buy?
iPhone 5c & 5s Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s? Are there major differences?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 5c models?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 5s models?
How fast are the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s models compared to one another? How fast are the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s compared to earlier iPhone models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s? Should I still consider an iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s compared to newer models?
iPhone 5 Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 5 models?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5? Are these vintage models still worth considering?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 5 and the iPod touch 5th Gen?
How much faster is the iPhone 5 than the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 5? Is the iPhone 5 worth it?
iPhone 4S Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 4/iPhone 4S and the iPod touch 4th Gen?
How much faster is the iPhone 4S than the iPhone 4? How does its speed compare to the iPad 2?
What is the battery life of the iPhone 4S in "real-world" tests? Is the battery designed to be replaced?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 4S? Is the iPhone 4S "worth it" for me?
iPhone 4 Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 4 (AT&T/GSM) and the iPhone 4 (Verizon/CDMA)?
How much faster is the iPhone 4 than earlier iPhone models? How does it compare to the iPad?
What is the battery life of the iPhone 4 in "real-world" tests? Is the battery designed to be replaced?
How does the iPhone 4 (CDMA/Verizon) speed compare to the iPhone 4 (GSM/AT&T) model? Which is faster?
What is "FaceTime"? What iPhone, iPad, and iPod models are compatible with FaceTime?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 4? Is the iPhone 4 "worth it" for me?
iPhone 3GS Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the 3rd Gen iPod touch (Late 2009)?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the 2nd Gen iPod touch?
How much faster is the iPhone 3GS than the iPhone 3G? How much difference does this speed boost make in actual use?
How does the battery life of the iPhone 3GS compare to the iPhone 3G in "real-world" tests? Is the battery designed to be replaced?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS? Which is the best one for my needs?
iPhone 3G Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G?
What are all the differences between the iPhone 3G and the 2nd Gen iPod touch?
How does the battery life of the iPhone 3G compare to the original iPhone in real-world tests? Is the battery designed to be replaced in either model?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS? Which is the best one for my needs?
iPhone (Original/EDGE) Comparison Q&As (Discontinued):
What exactly is the original iPhone?
What are all the differences between the original iPhone and the original iPod touch?
How does the original iPhone compare to the Palm Treo 750, Motorola Q, and Blackberry Pearl models available at the time of its release?
What is the difference between EDGE and 3G? Why does the original iPhone support EDGE and not 3G?
What is the battery life of the original iPhone? Is the battery designed to be "swapped" or replaced?
What are the "pros and cons" of the original iPhone (1st Gen)?
iPhone Performance Q&As:
How fast are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPhone models?
How fast are the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPhone models?
How fast are the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPhone models?
How fast are the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
How fast are the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
How fast are the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier models?
How fast are the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models compared to one another and earlier iPhone models?
How fast are the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus compared to one another and earlier iPhone models?
How fast are the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus compared to one another and the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models?
How fast are the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s models compared to one another? How fast are the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s compared to the iPhone 5 and earlier iPhone models?
How much faster is the iPhone 5 than the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4?
How much faster is the iPhone 4S than the iPhone 4? How does its speed compare to the iPad 2?
How much faster is the iPhone 4 than earlier iPhone models? How does it compare to the iPad?
How does the iPhone 4 (CDMA/Verizon) speed compare to the iPhone 4 (GSM/AT&T) model? Which is faster?
How much faster is the iPhone 3GS than the iPhone 3G? How much difference does this speed boost make in actual use?
iPhone Technical, Expansion, & Connectivity Q&As:
What processor or processors does each iPhone model use?
How much internal storage does each iPhone model have? Can internal storage be expanded? Is it possible to add external storage? Does the iPhone have a MicroSD slot?
Which iPhone models support which versions of Bluetooth?
What is the best external keyboard for the iPhone and iPod touch? Is it even possible to use an external keyboard with these devices?
iPhone Functionality & Network Q&As:
How long is AT&T Wireless the exclusive iPhone carrier in the US?
Is the iPhone available for purchase "unlocked" or only tied to a carrier?
What is "FaceTime"? What iPhone, iPad, and iPod models are compatible with FaceTime?
Does the iPhone support FileVault? Is information stored on the iPhone encrypted and password protected? Does it have biometric capabilities?
Can the iPhone open and allow one to edit Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files?
Can the iPhone open and allow one to edit Adobe PDF files?
Does the iPhone support Outlook or Exchange?
Does the iPhone use a MVNO?
Does the iPhone support Flash?
What is GPS? How does the iPhone GPS system work?
iPhone Design Q&As:
Who designed the iPhone?
What font does the iPhone interface use?
What ringtone does the iPhone use? Where can I download it?
Can I add additional or custom ringtones to the iPhone?
How does the iPhone "multi-touch" interface work? Who developed the "multi-touch" interface originally?
iPhone Purchasing Q&As:
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone SE 3? Is it for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max models compared to one another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max compared to another? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone SE (2nd Gen)? Is it for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR? Is one the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone SE? Is it the right iPhone for me?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus? Which one should I buy?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s? Should I still consider an iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s compared to newer models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 5?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 4S?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 4?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS?
What are the "pros and cons" of the original iPhone?
Where is the iPhone available for purchase? Can it be purchased from Apple Authorized Resellers?
Is the iPhone available for purchase "unlocked" or only tied to a carrier?
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