Steve Jobs' iPhone Vision: iPod-Like Flip Design With Clickwheel Turned Into Slick, Glass Slab In Less Than 2 Years

Tech legend Steve Jobs unveiled the iconic Apple Inc. AAPL iPhone 17 years ago. While it launched with a responsive touchscreen and changed the smartphone industry forever, Jobs didn't begin with the slick design that the iPhone eventually launched with in 2007.

What Happened: An internal email revealed in the Apple versus Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. SSNLF trial that Jobs took inspiration from the latter's flip phone.

"This may be our answer," Jobs said, referring to the Samsung "Fashionphone," a flip phone with a circular dial pad.

Jobs thought Apple could use the iPod's click wheel to let users dial numbers and type characters. While this might seem like an impractical design, especially for something as revolutionary as the iPhone, it shows where Jobs and Apple began.

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The prototype, created during the early stages of “iPod Phone” development, was built by a third-party manufacturer. It featured a swivel that allowed users to quickly convert the bottom of the iPod into a phone.

The prototype also included a built-in camera and colors that closely resembled those of the first official iPhone.

According to Tony Fadell, who oversaw iPod development at the company, Jobs was a strong advocate for the creation of an iPod with phone capabilities rather than a completely new device.

However, the experience of using a phone with a Click Wheel was not satisfactory, leading to a complete redesign of the project.

Apple eventually went with a glass slab design and a capacitive touchscreen at a time when "resistive" touchscreens were more common, especially by the then-market-leader Nokia.

The iPhone changed the face of the smartphone industry forever, leading to several companies like Nokia, BlackBerry, LG and others bowing out of the industry eventually. Apple is also the world's biggest smartphone maker now, ending Samsung's 13-year domination.

Why It Matters: The unveiling of this prototype is significant as it highlights the innovative spirit and risk-taking approach that characterized Apple’s early years. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1996, it marked a turning point for the company, leading to groundbreaking products like the iPod and iPhone.

Jobs’ leadership style, often referred to as the "Reality Distortion Field," was instrumental in Apple’s success. This prototype serves as a testament to his vision of integrating music and communication capabilities into a single device, a vision that eventually materialized as the iPhone we know today.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo courtesy: Samsung