The original iPhone was first introduced on January 9, 2007, by Steve Jobs during the Macworld conference in San Francisco. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of mobile technology, as the iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry by integrating a touch-based interface with a multi-functional device. It combined a phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator into one device, setting the stage for the modern smartphone era and fundamentally changing how people interact with technology.

The original iPhone featured a 3.5-inch display, with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. This capacitive touchscreen was a key component of the device, enabling the multi-touch functionality that allowed users to interact with the phone using gestures such as swiping, pinching, and tapping. The screen size, while modest by today's standards, was innovative at the time and offered a large enough area for comfortable viewing and navigation, setting a new standard for mobile phone displays.

The original iPhone ran on iPhone OS 1, which was later renamed iOS. This operating system was a stripped-down version of Apple's macOS, designed specifically for the iPhone's hardware. It featured a touch-centric interface with no physical keyboard, relying entirely on the touchscreen for user interaction. iPhone OS 1 introduced key functionalities such as visual voicemail, a mobile web browser (Safari), and an integrated iPod. This operating system laid the foundation for the iOS ecosystem that would later dominate the smartphone market.

The original iPhone was available with two internal storage options: 4 GB and 8 GB. Later, Apple introduced a 16 GB model. At the time, this storage capacity was considered substantial for a mobile device, particularly given that the iPhone was designed to hold not just apps and contacts, but also music, photos, and videos. The absence of expandable storage through microSD cards meant users had to choose their storage option carefully based on their anticipated needs.

The original iPhone was powered by a 412 MHz ARM11 processor, part of the ARM architecture that was widely used in mobile devices at the time. This processor, along with a PowerVR MBX Lite 3D graphics chip, enabled the iPhone to handle the demands of its touch-based interface, multimedia capabilities, and internet browsing. While modest by today’s standards, this processing power was sufficient to deliver a smooth user experience and support the iPhone's innovative features.

The original iPhone was equipped with a 2-megapixel rear camera, which was a standard specification for mobile phones at the time. The camera did not have a flash, autofocus, or video recording capabilities, focusing solely on basic photography. Despite its limitations, the camera offered a simple and accessible way to capture photos on the go, and it played a role in popularizing mobile photography, which would become a significant feature in future smartphones.

The iPhone 1's design had a profound influence on the future of smartphones. Its minimalist aesthetic, featuring a large touchscreen with a single physical button, set a new standard for mobile device design. The emphasis on touch-based interaction over physical keyboards and buttons inspired a shift across the industry towards sleek, screen-dominated devices. The use of premium materials, such as aluminum and glass, along with its focus on user experience, established the blueprint for modern smartphones.

The original iPhone was launched at a price of $499 for the 4 GB model and $599 for the 8 GB model, with a two-year contract with AT&T in the United States. This pricing was considered high at the time, particularly for a device that combined a phone, an iPod, and a web browser. However, the iPhone’s innovative features and design justified the premium price, and it quickly became a status symbol and a must-have gadget for early adopters.

The original iPhone offered up to 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of internet use, 7 hours of video playback, or 24 hours of audio playback on a single charge. The standby time was up to 250 hours. The battery life was considered impressive for a device with such a large screen and advanced features for its time. However, the non-removable battery design was a departure from industry norms, setting a trend that would be adopted by many future smartphones.

No, the original iPhone did not support 3G connectivity; it only supported 2G networks, specifically EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) for data. This limitation was one of the few criticisms of the first-generation iPhone, as 3G networks were becoming more prevalent and offered faster data speeds. The lack of 3G meant that internet browsing and data-heavy applications were slower compared to devices that supported 3G, which led to the introduction of 3G in the iPhone 3G model in 2008.

The iPhone 1’s multi-touch interface was revolutionary, allowing users to interact with the device using gestures like tap, swipe, pinch, and zoom. These gestures enabled intuitive control over applications, especially for zooming in and out on photos or web pages. The multi-touch screen could detect multiple points of contact simultaneously, which was a major advancement over traditional touchscreens that only recognized single touches. This innovation paved the way for the development of more complex touch-based interactions in future devices.

There was only one model of the original iPhone, although it was available in three different storage capacities: 4 GB, 8 GB, and later 16 GB. Unlike later generations, there were no variations in screen size, network compatibility, or color options. This single-model approach allowed Apple to focus on delivering a consistent user experience, ensuring that all iPhone users had access to the same features and design, a strategy that proved successful in establishing the iPhone brand.

The original iPhone had several limitations compared to modern smartphones. It lacked 3G connectivity, video recording, expandable storage, and a front-facing camera. The App Store did not exist at launch, so users were limited to pre-installed apps. The 2-megapixel camera was basic, and the device's processing power was modest by today’s standards. Additionally, the battery was non-removable, and the screen resolution was low compared to current devices. Despite these limitations, the iPhone 1 was a groundbreaking device that laid the foundation for modern smartphones.

The value of an original, unopened iPhone 1 (released in 2007) has significantly increased, especially among collectors. Prices for mint-condition models range between $10,000 to $50,000, depending on factors such as storage size and packaging condition. Opened or used units typically fetch much lower prices, around a few hundred dollars, as they no longer retain the same collectible appeal. The iPhone 1's historical significance as a groundbreaking device enhances its value in tech memorabilia markets.