Honestly, if you held the original iPhone today, you’d probably think it was a toy. It’s tiny. Like, "how did we ever type on this?" tiny. But back in 2007, when Steve Jobs pulled it out of his pocket at Macworld, it looked like something from a sci-fi movie. People were used to the Blackberry’s cluttered plastic keys or the Moto Razr’s thin-but-limited flip. Then came this silver and black slab that changed everything.
So, what does the iPhone one look like exactly? If you’re picturing the massive, flat, glass-and-titanium rectangles we carry now, you’ve got to wipe the slate clean. The original iPhone—often called the iPhone 2G—was a chunky, rounded little beast that fit perfectly in the palm of your hand.
The Iconic "Two-Tone" Back
The most striking thing about the original iPhone's appearance is the back. Unlike the modern versions that are a single piece of glass or matte metal, the first iPhone had a split personality.
About 80% of the back was made of beaded aluminum. It had a soft, matte silver finish that felt premium and cool to the touch. But at the very bottom, there was a stark black plastic strip. This wasn't just a weird fashion choice by Jony Ive; it was a technical necessity. Since aluminum blocks radio signals, Apple needed that plastic "window" to let the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular antennas actually talk to the world.
📖 Related: Why Self Sealing Trash Cans are Actually the Best Tech You’ll Buy This Year
If you find one today, that aluminum is usually covered in "character"—also known as hundreds of tiny scratches and dents. It didn't have the toughened Ceramic Shield we have now. It was raw, soft metal that aged like a leather jacket.
A Screen That Seemed Impossible
When people ask what the iPhone one looks like, they’re usually thinking of the front. In 2007, a 3.5-inch screen was considered gargantuan. Today, it’s smaller than the "mini" models Apple eventually killed off.
- The Bezel: There was a thick polished chrome rim—a "bezel"—that wrapped around the glass. It caught the light and gave the phone a jewelry-like vibe.
- The Resolution: It featured a 320 x 480 resolution. By 2026 standards, you could practically see the individual pixels without trying, but at the time, its 163 ppi (pixels per inch) was the gold standard.
- The Home Button: There was no Face ID or Touch ID. Just a single, concave physical button with a rounded square icon printed on it. It had a very satisfying click that modern haptic buttons just can't quite replicate.
Dimensions: Thick but Small
It’s weird to think about, but the original iPhone was actually quite thick. It measured 11.6 millimeters deep. For comparison, an iPhone 15 is around 7.8 millimeters.
Because the back was curved (Apple called it a "recessed" design), it didn't feel like a brick. It felt like a smooth river stone. It was 4.5 inches tall and 2.4 inches wide. You could easily wrap your entire hand around it. Honestly, the ergonomics were arguably better than the giant "Pro Max" phones that give everyone carpal tunnel these days.
The Ports and Buttons (The Parts We Miss)
Looking at the edges of the original iPhone reveals some "relics" of tech history.
On the top, you had the power button and a recessed 3.5mm headphone jack. This was actually a huge pain in the neck back then. The jack was buried so deep into the casing that most third-party headphones wouldn't fit unless you bought a clunky adapter. Apple really wanted you to use their white earbuds.
💡 You might also like: How to back iPhone up on iTunes: The Steps Everyone Still Misses
The bottom featured the massive 30-pin dock connector. This was the giant, wide plug we used before Lightning and long before USB-C. It was surrounded by two sets of grilled holes—one for the microphone and one for the single mono speaker.
On the left side, you had the iconic silencer switch and the two separate round volume buttons. Unlike the long "rocker" buttons on later models, these were distinct, circular plastic nubs.
What’s Missing? (The "No" List)
To really understand what the iPhone one looks like, you have to realize what it didn't have:
- No Front Camera: Selfies weren't a thing yet. If you wanted a photo of yourself, you turned the phone around and prayed.
- No Flash: The 2-megapixel camera on the back was just a tiny dark hole. No LED flash, no autofocus.
- No App Store: The home screen only had the icons Apple gave you. No Instagram, no TikTok, no Uber.
- No GPS: It could guess where you were using cell towers, but it didn't have a real GPS chip.
Why It Still Matters
The design of the first iPhone wasn't just about aesthetics; it was a manifesto. It told the world that the screen was the most important part of a computer. By removing the physical keyboard that occupied half of every other "smartphone" at the time, Apple forced us to interact with software directly.
If you're looking to buy one today for a collection, keep in mind that most "original" iPhones on eBay are "franken-phones" made of replacement parts. A truly mint, original-condition iPhone 2G is a rare beast that can fetch thousands of dollars.
🔗 Read more: Where to Find Archive Mail in Gmail Without Losing Your Mind
Actionable Insight for Tech Collectors:
If you are hunting for an original iPhone to display, check the back panel's model number. It should be A1203. Verify the black plastic strip at the bottom; if it’s scuffed or peeling, it’s likely an original casing. If it looks "too perfect," it might be a cheap third-party replacement shell. Always ask for a photo of the "About" screen in settings to ensure the serial number matches the one engraved (very tiny) on the back of the aluminum.