Engadget Analysis: iPhone Evolution from 2021 to 2026 Reveals Major Hardware and Software Shifts

An Engadget review published on 11 August 2026 outlines the technological evolution of the iPhone lineup from 2021 to 2026, highlighting a shift towards standardising premium features across base models. The analysis details a five-year period marked by the transition from the proprietary Lightning port to USB-C, driven by EU regulations, and the introduction of new hardware controls including the Action Button and Camera Control button.

The review notes that the iPhone 15 series, released in 2023, was the first to replace the Lightning port with USB-C. This model also introduced the customizable Action Button on Pro variants, replacing the traditional mute switch that had been present since 2007. The iPhone 16 and 17 lineups retained the Action Button and added a dedicated Camera Control button for photography adjustments, excluding the lower-cost "e" models.

Display technology has also seen standardisation, with ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz now available on base iPhone models, moving beyond Pro-tier exclusivity. The Dynamic Island interface, originally introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro, is now standard across most models, replacing the notch. Additionally, always-on displays are present on all iPhone 17 models, including the new iPhone Air.

Software developments focus heavily on the integration of Apple Intelligence, which became available in October 2024 on iPhone 15 Pro and later models. Features include Writing Tools, Image Playground, and enhanced Siri capabilities. The upcoming iOS 27, arriving in fall 2026, will provide a full AI upgrade for Siri, with exclusive functions like customizable expressiveness reserved for iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone Air devices.

Camera specifications have undergone significant upgrades, with the iPhone 17 featuring 48MP main and ultra-wide lenses, a jump from the 12MP sensors on the iPhone 13. The iPhone 17 Pro supports optical zoom at multiple focal lengths and can record 4K Dolby Vision video at 120FPS. New features include Center Stage for video and Dual Capture for simultaneous front and rear recording.

Safety and connectivity features introduced in 2022, such as satellite connectivity and crash detection, remain standard. The US market switched to eSIM-only with the iPhone 14, removing the physical SIM card slot. The lineup also saw structural changes, with the discontinuation of the iPhone mini after 2021 and its replacement by the iPhone Air in 2025. Base storage has increased from 128GB on the iPhone 13 to 256GB on 2025 models.