Guide to iPhone Screen Resolutions and Sizes (2025 Update)
In the world of technology, the iOS ecosystem is often perceived as enclosed and esoteric by developers and consumers alike. However, understanding the intricacies of this platform, particularly iPhone screen sizes and resolutions, is crucial for creating adaptable and user-friendly content in app design and development.
iPhones come in various screen sizes, with the size of display screens growing bigger over the years. The length of an iPhone varies depending on the model, with typical lengths ranging from 5.78 inches (14.67 cm) to 6.33 inches (16.08 cm). iPhones can also be classified based on their physical resolution, with certain resolution groups being more prevalent than others.
To design, develop, and market an app for iPhones, one must adhere to unique specifications and guidelines provided by Apple. Understanding iPhone screen size and resolution is not only essential for developers but also for marketers and advertisers in the mobile phone industry. It can help them segment their audience based on technographic details, design the right app store screenshots and preview videos, create adaptable and customised banners, creatives, videos, etc., select the right design schematics, typography, etc., for ad creatives, determine the suitable word and content density for different screens, and ensure content viewability and make it more interactive.
The Apple App Store has specified exact screenshot sizes for its different devices, with 6.5 inches and 5.5 inches being the most important display sizes for iPhones. For submitting app screenshots for the iOS app, it is recommended to prioritise these two screen sizes, as Apple will automatically resize your screenshot as long as you have the screenshots for these two screen sizes.
The iPhone's screen resolution is represented in portrait mode as two numbers (width x height), and in landscape mode, the numbers are reversed. A pixel is the smallest visible colour unit on a display screen or the smallest unit of a digital image or graphic. Points are used as a size measurement unit in the digital space, with one point being equal to approximately 0.352778 millimeters, 0.0138889 inches, or 1.333 pixels.
PPI, or pixels per inch, is the number of pixels that can be placed in a line across one linear inch, with a higher PPI resulting in more detailed visuals and less pixelation. The size of the screen can determine cart abandonments, with users being likely to abandon more carts on devices with smaller screens.
As bigger numbers sound more lucrative to customers, it helps marketing efforts. Additionally, using just one number for the diagonal measurement is easier than using two numbers to denote the length and width. The latest iPhones include: iPhone 16: 6.1 inches, iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches, iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches, iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches, iPhone 15: 6.1 inches, iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7 inches, iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1 inches, iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7 inches.
While creating device-agnostic designs is important, having an understanding of various types of devices is as essential. iPhones can be grouped into segments based on screen size, with each segment corresponding to specific iPhone models and years of release.
For instance, the iPhone 16 generation introduced larger display sizes for the Pro and Pro Max models compared to previous generations, with the Pro increasing to 6.3" and Pro Max to 6.9". The standard and Plus models remained at 6.1" and 6.7" respectively. Resolutions have accordingly scaled with these sizes, ranging roughly from 2532x1170 to 2868x1320 pixels.
The upcoming iPhone 17 Air model is rumoured to have a screen size around 6.6 inches with a resolution roughly 1260 x 2736 pixels, representing a slightly different form factor than previous models.
In conclusion, understanding iPhone screen sizes and resolutions is vital for making better design, development, and marketing decisions. It not only helps in creating appealing and captivating app store screenshots but also in designing the right ad creatives, ensuring content viewability, and making it more interactive. Screens are one of the most important aspects of any hardware and software ecosystem, as it is the screen where all the information is displayed by the device and entered by the user.
- In the realm of technology and lifestyle, having a comprehensive understanding of iPhone screen sizes and resolutions is vital for app designers, developers, marketers, and advertisers, enabling them to create adaptable and user-friendly content, segment their audience, and optimize their marketing strategies.
- In the education-and-self-development sphere, learning about iPhone screen sizes and resolutions can equip individuals with the skills necessary to navigate the mobile industry, design captivating app store screenshots, and create engaging ad creatives that cater to various screen sizes and resolutions, ensuring optimal user experience.