Is ''Iphone'' software only or hardware and software?

I've never had an Iphone. I always see it anounced in an absolutely black device, such as this one:
http://pective.com/m/iphone-5

I wonder whether, when you're going to buy one, you go to the apple store and buy the whole thing,
or look for a Nokia or Sony smartphone and then go to the Apple website and buy and download the software into your device.

Ihpone is made up of hardware and software through programming

There's no way to use Apple's iOS software on any other device that is not Apple made. If you want to use iOS, your going to have to get an Apple made device.

The iPhone is not only sold in black though, it also comes in white/silver (see sources). There are also thousands of cases you can purchase from many different places, some are even customizable.

Regards!

- Ridog

First Of all Iphone is a hardware.iOS is the software that enables the phone to run. All phones are considered Hardware, where all of them are pre-installed by a Software which is called an OS (operating System).

iOS on the other hand is an OS developed by apple themselves which are only exclusive on apple devices such as the Iphone. When you buy an iphone(hardware) to the apple website, it comes with a pre-installed iOS/OS(software). When you picked it up, it is ready to be used.

Other Phone Companies like Sony and Nokia uses a different kind of OS. Nokia uses their own OS which they called "Windows Mobile" (newer models), and "Symbian OS"(older models). Sony on the other hand uses the Android OS for their newer models.

to put it simply, all phones are considered Hardwares. All OS (iOS, Windows Mobiles, Symbian, Android) and the apps you installed in your Phones are Softwares. All Phones comes with a pre-installed OS wherein you don't need to download.

Hardware and software. That's how Apple tries to sell everything.