Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?
Since its landmark introduction in 2007, Apple has released 42 iPhone models, and with at least four new ones introduced every fall, the company is showing no signs of slowing down.
In all that time, Apple has made relatively few significant design changes. The company tends to stick with established designs for three or four years before changing things up, which can sometimes make it difficult to tell which iPhone model you have — especially if you’re getting a secondhand iPhone (with no box to offer a hint) rather than a new one.
For instance, while an iPhone 15 Pro Max is a very obviously different beast from an iPhone 8, you’d have a harder time differentiating it from an iPhone 14 Pro Max or even an iPhone 13 Pro Max without a trained eye. Likewise, Apple deliberately chose to use the iPhone 8 design for its 2020 and 2022 iPhone SE models, making it nearly impossible to tell those three apart.
In some cases, a unique color might provide a clue, and there are other cues that those familiar with Apple’s iPhones could know to look for. Of course, most folks don’t have the time for that kind of minutiae of Apple product design, so you’ll be happy to know there’s a much easier way to find out what model of iPhone you’re holding in your hand.
Presuming the iPhone is in working condition and you can unlock it, the easiest way to identify it is to open the Settings app and then select General > About.
This page provides helpful information about your iPhone, including its model number and the model name if you’re running iOS 12.2 or later. You can also see what version of iOS is installed, the serial number, and information on AppleCare coverage, storage capacity, and technical information on its Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular hardware.
If you’re dealing with an older iPhone that hasn’t been updated to at least iOS 12.2, you’ll only see the model number, so you’ll need to do a bit more digging to find out what specific model name it corresponds to.
There are actually two model numbers involved here. The one shown by default is your iPhone’s “part number” — a specific code corresponding to your iPhone’s storage capacity, color, and region. It usually begins with an “M,” although it could be an “N” or an “F” if you’re dealing with a replacement or refurbished iPhone.
However, the number you want to see — the actual model number — is hidden behind the part number. Tap the number beside Model Number, which will change to a shorter five-character code starting with the letter “A.” This model number is common to all colors and storage capacities.
For example, while MQ9E3VC/A is specifically for a Deep Purple, 256GB iPhone 14 Pro Max sold in Canada, the same A2893 model number is used for all variants of the iPhone 14 Pro Max sold in Canada, Guam, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — regardless of color or storage capacity.
Note that Apple typically sells unique base models of each iPhone in various areas worldwide to handle different 5G or LTE frequencies. For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro sold in the U.S. that offers mmWave capabilities has a model number of A2650, while the A2889 version sold in Canada supports only sub-6GHz 5G. Apple provides a list of which 5G and LTE carriers and bands are supported by each model, which is a handy way to check if an iPhone you’ve received secondhand is fully compatible with the cellular networks where you live.
While looking in the Settings app is the easiest way by far to find out what model of iPhone you’re using, that won’t be an option if you can’t get to that screen. For example, you may want to know the model of an iPhone that’s been damaged or won’t turn on so you can decide whether it’s worth repairing.
If you’re dealing with an iPhone 7 or older model, you can find the model number written in the fine print on the back, along with all the other regulatory information. However, that won’t be an option for newer models. As a result of the E-LABEL Act, Apple stopped stamping all of that information on the rear case of the iPhone starting in 2018. That means the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and all newer models don’t have the model number etched onto the back.
Fortunately, the model number is still engraved on the iPhone — it’s just in a far less obvious place. Instead, Apple has etched it in really fine print into the SIM tray slot. You’ll need really good eyes or a magnifying glass to see it, but if you pop out your SIM tray and squint at the inside edge of where it slides in, you can find the A-series model number hidden on the display side.
If you’re using an iPhone 15 without a physical SIM card slot, you’ll find the model number inside the Lightning connector instead.
Once you’ve found the model number for your iPhone, you can check the following list to match it up. This is a list of every iPhone model Apple has ever launched, from most recent to oldest, including all the model numbers for each region.
Apple has today announced a major change that could revolutionize the web-browsing experience for iPhone users. Alas, this browsing boon will be limited to users in the EU bloc. This news was announced alongside Apple’s plans to add sideloading and third-party app stores to the iPhone.
To comply with the EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple says it will allow developers to use other browser engines for their web browsers. That means Apple will no longer force them to use its own WebKit rendering engine, which is the underlying tech behind what any web browser can do on your phone. That’s a massive rule change.
Deliberately spoiling the browsing experience
Big changes are coming to the iPhone this year. On January 25, Apple announced a slew of changes coming to iOS — including the ability to sideload applications and download apps from alternative/third-party app stores.
These are things you’ve been able to do on Android for years, but have long been absent from the iPhone. The Play Store is the primary way to download apps on Android, but you can also manually download APK files from any website that has them available. Similarly, you can use alternative app stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store and Amazon App Store. When iOS 17.4 releases later this year, iPhone users will finally be able to do similar things.
Apple’s MagSafe, which was introduced in the iPhone 12, is technology that uses magnets at the back of the iPhone and the Apple Watch to hold them in place when using MagSafe accessories. These include wireless chargers, battery packs, and device holders, among many others, and to give you ideas on how to maximize this technology, here’s our list of the best MagSafe accessories in the market right now. We’ve picked the most useful ones made by trustworthy brands like Belkin, Anker, and Apple itself, so you won’t have to worry about the quality when buying any of these products.
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe
Some iPhone cases will weaken the magnets of MagSafe, but fortunately, there are a lot of MagSafe cases out there, including the Apple Silicone Case. They’re made for all the variants of the iPhone 12 onwards, up to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and they offer a soft-touch finish and a soft microfiber lining inside for added protection. The built-in magnets of the Apple Silicone Case align perfectly with the magnets of the iPhone, enabling the rest of the MagSafe accessories you’ll see here.
Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.