February 5: A Milestone in Apple’s Journey
On February 5, 2008, just six months following the launch of the original iPhone, Apple introduced a new variant boasting an impressive storage capacity of 16GB.
Meeting the Demand for More Storage
As noted by Greg Joswiak, then Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing at Apple, “For many users, memory never seems to be enough.” He emphasized that this upgrade allowed individuals to store a greater collection of their music, images, and videos on what was hailed as “the most revolutionary mobile phone and premier Wi-Fi device globally.”
The initial rollout included two storage options: a modest 4GB version and an upgraded 8GB model. It quickly became obvious that the low-end option was inadequate even before the App Store launched. The addition of numerous downloadable applications further highlighted this need for enhanced storage.
A larger capacity iPhone was essential. Consequently, Apple responded aptly by releasing it.
The Transition from Limited Options to Expansion
In early September 2007, Apple phased out the original 4GB version and controversially reduced the price point for its existing eight-gigabyte model from $599 down to $399. For some time afterward, customers could only choose between variations based on color or contract specifics until they unveiled an additional option – a new version with double the storage priced at $499.
An Upgrade That Caused Waves Among Carriers
This development sparked some initial confusion at AT&T—the sole carrier for iPhones during this period—regarding how existing customers could transition smoothly. It later became clear that users could upgrade their devices without needing to enter into fresh contracts; they simply continued under their current agreements.
The Competitive Landscape in Mobile Market Share
At that juncture in time ,Apple held second place within U.S. mobile market share—trailing behind BlackBerry with approximately 28% versus BlackBerry’s commanding lead at about 41%. Internationally as well,Aple secured third place boasting around 6.5%, significantly behind Nokia who dominated with nearly 52%, while BlackBerry controlled around 11%. This gap can be attributed largely to Apple’s limited distribution capabilities across various regions worldwide.
The introduction of a standardised sixteen-gigabyte option persisted all through until it subtly evolved into one among others during subsequent releases like iPhone models up until I-phone ___.
Your First Experience with an iPhone?
If you recall your first experience owning an iPhone or any thoughts regarding these developments let us know your reflections below!
