Which iPhone do I Own?

Caseco Inc
9 min readOct 16, 2020

As far as most people are concerned, there can be only ONE iPhone.

But over the years, that one iPhone has seen dozens of different variations. From upgraded hardware, improved processors and new features to enhanced cameras and slimmer form factors, each iPhone has improved upon the perfection that came before it.

That’s great because the look and the feel of your new iPhone might change slightly, but the quality construction and jaw-dropping attention-to-detail will always be there.

The downside? It means, as you may have noticed, that your iPhone accessories, cables and cases aren’t going to be uiniversal.

So; when do you need to buy a new charging cable? Or a different smartphone case?

Well, to answer those questions, you first need to answer the key question above — “Which iPhone do I own?”

Ø The quickest way to identify your phone is to open your SETTINGS, click on GENERAL>ABOUT>MODEL

Doing so will display everything you need to know about the phone, including model and generation. You can also double-check your storage capacity (16GB, 32GB, 64GB, etc) by clicking through to GENERAL>ABOUT>CAPACITY.

If you forgot your password or can’t turn the phone on, there’s another easy way to know which phone you’re looking at. Simply flip the phone over and look for the Model Number on the back. Each iPhone is labeled with a model number for even easier identification.

Here’s a quick list of existing iPhone Model Numbers:

Ø Model A1865 — iPhone X

Ø Model A1901 — iPhone X

Ø Model A1864 — iPhone 8 Plus

Ø Model A1897 — iPhone 8 Plus

Ø Model A1863 — iPhone 8

Ø Model A1905 — iPhone 8

Ø Model A1661 — iPhone 7 Plus

Ø Model A1784 — iPhone 7 Plus

Ø Model A1785 — iPhone 7 Plus

Ø Model A1786 — iPhone 7 Plus

Ø Model A1660 — iPhone 7

Ø Model A1778 — iPhone 7

Ø Model A1779 — iPhone 7

Ø Model A1780 — iPhone 7

Ø Model A1662 — iPhone SE

Ø Model A1723 — iPhone SE

Ø Model A1724 — iPhone SE

Ø Model A1634 — iPhone 6S Plus

Ø Model A1687 — iPhone 6S Plus

Ø Model A1690 — iPhone 6S Plus

Ø Model A1699 — iPhone 6S Plus

Ø Model A1633 — iPhone 6S

Ø Model A1688 — iPhone 6S

Ø Model A1691 — iPhone 6S

Ø Model A1700 — iPhone 6S

Ø Model A1522 — iPhone 6 Plus

Ø Model A1524 — iPhone 6 Plus

Ø Model A1593 — iPhone 6 Plus

Ø Model A1549 — iPhone 6

Ø Model A1586 — iPhone 6

Ø Model A1589 — iPhone 6

Ø Model A1453 — iPhone 5S

Ø Model A1457 — iPhone 5S

Ø Model A1518 — iPhone 5S

Ø Model A1528 — iPhone 5S

Ø Model A1530 — iPhone 5S

Ø Model A1533 — iPhone 5S

Ø Model A1456 — iPhone 5C

Ø Model A1507 — iPhone 5C

Ø Model A1516 — iPhone 5C

Ø Model A1526 — iPhone 5C

Ø Model A1529 — iPhone 5C

Ø Model A1532 — iPhone 5C

Ø Model A1428 — iPhone 5

Ø Model A1429 — iPhone 5

Ø Model A1442 — iPhone 5

Ø Model A1387 — iPhone 4S

Ø Model A1431 — iPhone 4S

Ø Model A1332 — iPhone 4

Ø Model A1349 — iPhone 4

Ø Model A1303 — iPhone 3GS

Ø Model A1325 — iPhone 3GS

Ø Model A1241 — iPhone 3G

Ø Model A1324 — iPhone 3G

Ø Model A1203 — iPhone

So now that you know which iPhone you own, upgrading with new accessories and smartphone cases should be easier than ever. But what about the phone’s features? Should you be shopping for a wireless charger, for example? Well, let’s take a look at popular iPhone models from the newest to the oldest:

iPhone SE 2nd Generation

Introduced in 2020 with a smaller 4.7” screen and limited color choices, the SE brought back the home button loved by so many enthusiasts, along with a more portable (and substantially more budget-friendly) alternative for millions of value-minded smartphone users. The SE provides serious power at a price that competes with popular Android phones.

Due to the smaller form factor, the SE is ideal for slimmer cases like our popular impact-resistant Fremont or our antimicrobial case. It’s IP67 water-resistant with wireless charging capability and a lot more.

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Introduced in 2019 with capacity of up to 512 GB and a stunning Super Retina XDR display, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the current King of the Hill, perfect for everything from quick travel snapshots to serious professional vlogging. With a breathtaking 6.5” display, this is definitely a screen you need to take care with. Additionally, the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s powerful processor can drain batteries quickly. Each iPhone 11 Pro Max comes with a wireless charger, but it might be a good idea to have a backup for home or office.

iPhone 11 Pro

Like the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but a little more manageable in terms of size, the iPhone 11 Pro is another top-selling choice. Clocking in with a 5.8” screen, that same updated camera array and A13 Bionic Chip, the iPhone 11 Pro is designed more with non-creative professionals in mind. It’s a little bit less power-hungry overall, but a wireless charger can still be a massively helpful upgrade. We also like transparent cases for these models, to show off the amazing new colors Apple has on display.

Both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Max feature a distinctive stainless steel ring around the edge that denotes them from other models.

iPhone 11

Last but certainly not least in the iPhone 11 lineup is the base model itself. Without the pro-grade camera array and a few other features it rings in a more agreeable price, while also bringing a 6.1” screen to the party. With up to 256 GB of capacity and a totally different color set from the iPhone 11 Pro series, it’s more of a direct upgrade from older iPhones.

Between the voice-activated benefits of Siri and the easy-on-the-eyes Liquid Retina HD display, the iPhone 11 is a great candidate for a car mount system. Allowing for hands-free navigation and cell phone use, a smartphone car mount could help you get so much more out of your iPhone 11.

iPhone XS

Immediately recognizable by their unique camera array, the iPhone XS and XS Max were the last generation of upgraded models belonging to the iPhone X product line. Combining quad-LED true tone flash with a 12MP camera and a 5.8” “all-screen” display, the iPhone XS was a massively popular model with years of life left to it. Make sure you get it in a solid case to protect your investment!

iPhone XS Max

With the single biggest screen Apple’s ever put on an iPhone, the iPhone XS Max lives up to its name — and then some.

Despite being released in 2018, the iPhone XS Max can still keep relatively close pace with today’s cutting-edge new phones, and the massive, 6.5” edge-to-edge display is truly something to behold. Once again, this is an amazing phone with years of life left to it — so make sure you protect it with an impact-resistant case!

iPhone XR

If any single phone shows how far Apple is ahead of the competition, it’s the iPhone XR. Equipped with a last-gen A12 chip, a 12MP camera, and a Liquid Retina 6.1” HD Display, it’s got just about everything you could ask for from a premium smartphone in 2020. Except it was released in 2018!

Wireless chargers aren’t packaged with the iPhone XR, and while the battery will usually last at least a day even with heavy use, it’s still a good idea to pick one up and keep your battery in top condition.

iPhone X

Released only 3 years ago in 2017, the iPhone X might seem old given how many new phones we’ve seen since. But it’s still got plenty of power where it counts …

Featuring Apple’s first implementation of a few new technologies that are pretty much standard today (like Face ID and wireless charging), the iPhone X has a 6.1” display, a solid battery life, and the same camera array as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max (including Quad LED True-Tone Finish).

As new updates start to tax the iPhone X’s older processor, battery life is likely to become more of an issue. We definitely recommend picking up a wireless charger for your iPhone if you want to keep it in peak shape.

iPhone 8

Released at the same time as the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 has a few features that might look familiar after seeing the new iPhone SE 2nd Generation. Namely, it’s got that home button for touch ID, and the smaller form factor at around 4.7” in size. The iPhone 8 has the same A11 chip as the iPhone X, but without the enhanced 64-bit architecture.

When it comes to smaller phones, portability always seems to be the key. So we like to remind iPhone 8 owners that we’ve got a wide variety of Folio cases, holsters and more to make your iPhone easier to reach when you need it.

Another thing many iPhone 8 owners don’t always realize is that their device is equipped with wireless charging capability! So like the iPhone X, a wireless charger might be a sound investment.

Older iPhones like the 6 and 6S don’t have these features, and they’re increasingly getting traded out for newer models by iPhone users worldwide.

Not all iPhones are Created Equal

As you can see from this quick review, there’s a pretty wide range of variety even within a family of devices that are all called “iPhones.”

It makes sense though. Given Apple’s ceaseless innovation and a product cycle that delivers new smartphones at least once a year, there’s bound to be plenty of differentiation in the lineup.

One of the most important lessons from comparing all these iPhones, though, is just how great they all really are. Time and time again, Apple just nails the formula and gives people great hardware (even if we all wish the price were lower) that lasts for years.

On top of all that, you’ve got the seamless integration into Apple’s carefully-designed ecosystem. Syncing up your iPhone with your MacBook, iTunes account and more can help turn the iPhone into a foregone conclusion for many of its users.

There are a few key points to remember, and to think about when upgrading or accessorizing your iPhone:

· Smaller iPhones are typically older, likewise if you see a home button on it (with the exception of the iPhone SE 2nd Generation)

· None have had the same “bending” issues as the iPhone 6/6S, but edge-to-edge displays are on most, so make sure you protect your investment!

· Every iPhone since the iPhone 8 (2017) comes with wireless charging, so don’t forget to take advantage of that handy feature

· Budget iPhones like the XR and the SE 2nd Gen still have great specs

· When in doubt, check your settings or read the Model number off the back!

--

--