Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Since its landmark introduction in 2007 , Apple has released 42 iPhone models , and withat least four new ones bring out every declivity , the caller is showing no signs of slowing down .

In all that time , Apple has made comparatively few substantial design change . The company tends to stick with set up designs for three or four years before changing affair up , which can sometimes make it unmanageable to tell which iPhone theoretical account you have —   especially if you ’re getting a secondhand iPhone ( with no box to tender a pinch ) rather than a new one .

Someone holding an iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro next to each other.

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

For example , while aniPhone 15 Pro Maxis a very apparently unlike wolf from aniPhone 8 , you ’d have a unvoiced clock time differentiating it from an iPhone 14 Pro Max or even an iPhone 13 Pro Max without a trained optic . Likewise , Apple advisedly chose to use the iPhone 8 design for its 2020 and 2022iPhone SEmodels , make it nearly impossible to tell those three asunder .

In some cases , a alone color might provide a clue , and there are other clue that those familiar with Apple ’s iPhones could know to take care for . Of course , most common people do n’t have the time for that sort of minutiae of Apple product design , so you ’ll be felicitous to know there ’s a much easy way to feel out what simulation of iPhone you ’re holding in your hand .

How to find out which iPhone you have

assume the iPhone is in workings condition and you’re able to unlock it , the easiest way to identify it is to open up theSettingsapp and then selectGeneral > About .

This page provides helpful info about your iPhone , including its model number and the example name if you ’re run iOS 12.2 or afterward . you may also see what version of iOS is installed , the serial number , and data on AppleCare insurance coverage , storage content , and expert selective information on its Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , and cellular hardware .

If you ’re dealing with an older iPhone that has n’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 grasp to discover out what specific model name it tally to .

There are really two role model number take here . The one shown by default is your iPhone ’s “ part number ” — a specific computer code corresponding to your iPhone ’s storage capacity , colour , and realm . It normally begins with an “ M , ” although it could be an “ N ” or an “ F ” if you ’re dealing with a substitution or refurbished iPhone .

However , the turn you want to see — the actual model routine — is hidden behind the part number . Tap the number besideModel Number , which will change to a shorter five - graphic symbol code starting with the letter “ A. ” This model number is common to all colors and memory electrical capacity .

For illustration , while MQ9E3VC / A is specifically for a Deep Purple , 256 GB iPhone 14 Pro Max sold in Canada , the same A2893 mannequin 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 — disregarding of color or storage capacity .

Note that Apple typically betray unequalled fundament poser of each iPhone in various orbit worldwideto handle different 5 guanine or LTE oftenness . For example , the iPhone 14 Pro sell in the U.S. that offersmmWavecapabilities has a example number of A2650 , while the A2889 version sold in Canada hold up onlysub-6GHz 5G. Appleprovides a listof which 5 gigabyte and LTE carriers and bands are supported by each framework , which is a ready to hand way to see to it if an iPhone you ’ve received secondhand is fully compatible with the cellular meshwork where you hold out .

What to do if you can’t turn on or unlock your iPhone

While looking in the options app is the easiest way by far to bump out what model of iPhone you ’re using , that wo n’t be an option if you ca n’t get to that screen . For deterrent example , you may want to have a go at it the model of an iPhone that ’s been damage or wo n’t turn on so you may decide whether it ’s worth indemnify .

If you ’re parcel out with an iPhone 7 or older model , you’re able to find the model issue written in the o.k. print on the back , along with all the other regulative data . However , that wo n’t be an alternative for new model . As a event of theE - LABEL Act , Apple turn back stamping all of that information on the rearward casing of the iPhone get in 2018 . That means the iPhone 8 , iPhone X , and all New models do n’t have the manakin number etch onto the back .

as luck would have it , the model identification number is still engraved on the iPhone — it ’s just in a far less obvious place . rather , Apple has etch it in really ok print into the SIM tray slot . You ’ll ask really good centre or a magnifying glass to see it , but if you down out your SIM tray and strabismus at the inside edge of where it slides in , you may find the A - serial model issue hidden on the display side .

If you ’re using aniPhone 15 without a physical SIM circuit card slot , you ’ll rule the model identification number inside the Lightning connection instead .

A complete list of all 42 iPhone models

Once you ’ve found the mannikin number for your iPhone , you could check the following inclination to match it up . This is a leaning of every iPhone model Apple has ever launched , from most recent to oldest , including all the example numbers pool for each part .