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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider Happy birthday, iPhone!

Happy birthday, iPhone!

Published Jun 28, 2025 09:15 am
Guess what? The iPhone is now 18-year old! It feels like just yesterday when I got my first iPhone, which didn’t work in the Philippines without jailbreaking. Back then, the iPhone was THE ultimate phone to have - it was the first with a multitouch display and a full web browser, among other firsts. But here’s the thing: the first iPhone didn’t have third-party app support or 3G (my Nokia E61 already had 3G). So, it didn’t have all the latest tech available at the time, even to date, the iPhone is careful to add the latest tech. But hey, the iPhone’s revolutionary design set the trend for all smartphones, which still pretty much remained the same today, with only a few minor changes, looking like a slab of glass!
The iPhone 3G, the next model after the legendary original iPhone, finally made it to the Philippines. I remember getting my iPhone 3G on Globe’s network during the midnight launch in Makati. This model finally matched up to the faster mobile data network available. This also brought us the iOS App Store! Remember those fart apps?
I’ve been through every iteration of the iPhone since then. Back then, it was easy to decide which model to buy because there was only one. But then Apple introduced the C-series, SE-series, the E, Pro, Plus, and Pro Max. With the first iPhone as my first, followed by 3, 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, 5, 5S, 6, 6S, 7, X, XS, 11 Pro, 12 Pro, 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and the current 16 Pro. I always go for the entry-level, smaller version of the flagship, but wish that the choices are simplified. *hint Apple*
I finally decided to switch from using two smartphones, the latest iPhone and an Android phone, when Apple introduced a dual-SIM model. Having two phones, one for each of the two major Philippine telcos, Globe and Smart, allowed me to access both major platforms. With dual-SIM iPhone models and an aging Google Nexus 5, it was a no-brainer to ditch the Android phone - one device to carry, charge and manage. I had other reasons for ditching Android, too - and that’s privacy.
Android smartphones are one of Google’s main surveillance tools (with Adsense, Search, YouTube, and Chrome). This made me completely ditch Android. I believe Apple has better personal data protections, which sets the iPhone apart from the rest. In addition, Apple’s ecosystem is one of the best in the market, this is why I continue using an iPhone.
Today, Android smartphones are full of “AI” hype. While there are definitely useful “AI” features on Android, for me, it all comes down to how my data is kept private. If your smartphone’s “AI” feature sends your text, photos, and videos to the cloud, how are they protecting your data? With the iPhone, the “AI laggard,” you know how your personal data is being handled. Apple’s transparency here matters a lot, especially to me! Speaking of “AI” and the iPhone, look at what Apple is doing with iOS 26, just don’t expect that Apple Intelligence-powered Siri anytime soon.
Happy birthday, iPhone!
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