# Time Magazine Named the Original iPhone Invention of the Year in 2007 Reflecting on the device that transformed mobile technology into the center of modern life. - **Source:** [Cult of Mac](https://brifing.si/source/7e2968d9-bc24-4286-8f9e-146807f06336) - **Published:** 2026-11-01 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2c511a66-ab2b-4a20-a284-d6f9a5dae7eb ## Historic Recognition of Innovation On November 1, 2007, Time magazine officially named the original iPhone its invention of the year. This accolade arrived just six months after Steve Jobs first unveiled the device to the public. It stood out significantly against contemporary gadgets like the Samsung P2 music player and the Nikon Coolpix S51c camera. ## Overcoming Early Market Skepticism At launch, critics frequently dismissed the iPhone as an expensive, imperfect device lacking essential features like third-party apps. It was locked to AT&T and faced complaints regarding its keyboard and overall speed. Despite these early technical limitations, Time recognized the device as a revolutionary pocket-sized computer that would eventually redefine personal technology. ## The Power of Multi-Touch The iPhone’s touchscreen interface made digital information feel tangible, marking a departure from static buttons. While some early users found the typing experience frustrating, the interface felt intuitive and obvious once experienced. This innovation fundamentally changed how users interacted with mobile devices, setting a new standard for the entire smartphone industry. ## Visionary Platform Potential Time correctly identified the iPhone not merely as a phone, but as a foundational platform for future software. The magazine highlighted the potential for the blank space on the desktop to be filled with useful icons. This foresight anticipated the massive impact the App Store would eventually have on mobile software ecosystems. ## Comparing Sales and Growth In 2007, Apple had sold approximately 1.4 million units of the original iPhone at the time of the magazine's press. This figure serves as a stark contrast to modern launch weekends, where Apple now sells millions of units. The early sales numbers confirmed the company would remain a significant market player. ## Evolution of Apple Hardware The original iPhone shared a common trajectory with the first Macintosh and Apple Watch, launching with notable flaws. Much of its initial appeal was rooted in the promise of future updates and the opportunity for users to participate in a new journey. This iterative approach became a hallmark of Apple's product development strategy. ## Interface Design Philosophy Time speculated about the future of touch interfaces, questioning if an iMac Touch or TouchBook would follow. While Jony Ive later clarified that Apple did not seriously pursue touch interfaces for Macs, the magazine correctly identified that touching was becoming the new standard for seeing and interacting with digital interface elements. ## Defining the Modern Smartphone By 2016, Time ranked the iPhone as the most influential gadget of all time. It successfully replaced chunkier phones featuring slide-out keyboards with a sleek, flat design. The device ushered in an era where buttons appeared on screen only when needed, permanently altering the physical design language of the mobile phone industry. ## A Legacy of Accolades Following the original iPhone's success, numerous Apple products received recognition from Time. Notable mentions include the iPad in 2010, Siri in 2011, and the Apple Watch in 2014. More recent additions to this list include the AirPods Pro 3 in 2025, demonstrating a consistent history of Apple products achieving significant industry influence. ## The iPhone Duo Milestone In 2026, the iPhone Duo, Apple's first folding phone, topped Time's list of best inventions. Featuring CEO John Ternus on the cover, the magazine described it as the most radical design change since the original 2007 release. This highlights the company's ongoing ability to innovate within the smartphone category nearly two decades later. ## Contextualizing Technological Shifts Reading the original 2007 coverage provides a unique snapshot of a world before smartphones became ubiquitous. It captures a moment when the global population was just beginning to adapt to the concept of a handheld computer. This historical perspective emphasizes how quickly the device became central to the fabric of modern daily life. ## Prophetic Technological Impact Time’s decision to crown the iPhone as the invention of the year proved prophetic. The device did not just improve existing mobile technology; it fundamentally reimagined the smartphone as the center of modern human existence. Nearly twenty years later, the iPhone remains the benchmark for innovation and design in the global tech sector. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.cultofmac.com/apple-history/iphone-time-invention-of-the-year-2007 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._