The ZX Spectrum timeline spans from its revolutionary launch in 1982 to its final official production in 1992, followed by a vibrant modern era of community-driven hardware. 

The Sinclair Era (1982–1986) 

• 23 April 1982: Sinclair Research launches the ZX Spectrum at the Earls Court Computer Show. It features 16 KB (£125) or 48 KB (£175) of RAM, a Z80A CPU, and the iconic rubber “chiclet” keyboard.
• 1983: Timex Sinclair 2068 is released in the US as a modified version of the Spectrum.
• October 1984: The ZX Spectrum+ is released for £179. It features a new injection-moulded keyboard similar to the Sinclair QL and a dedicated reset button, but remains electronically identical to the 48K model.
• September 1985: The ZX Spectrum 128 (“The Toast Rack”) is unveiled at the SIMO trade show in Spain. It introduces 128 KB of RAM, an AY-3-8912 sound chip, and MIDI compatibility.
• January 1986: The ZX Spectrum 128 officially goes on sale in the UK for £179.95. 

The Amstrad Era (1986–1992) 

• 7 April 1986: Amstrad plc acquires the “Sinclair” brand and all Spectrum assets from Sinclair Research for £5 million.
• 1986: The ZX Spectrum +2 is released. It features a grey case with a spring-loaded keyboard and a built-in “Datacorder” cassette player.
• 1987: The ZX Spectrum +3 launches with a built-in 3-inch floppy disk drive, replacing the tape deck. It is the only official Spectrum capable of running the CP/M operating system.
• 1988–1989: Amstrad releases the +2A, +2B, and +3B models, which use unified circuit boards and transition to black cases.
• 1992: Official production of all ZX Spectrum models is discontinued. 

The Modern Revival (2017–Present)

• 2017: The ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter campaign successfully funds a new, officially licensed hardware evolution.
• February 2020: The first batch of ZX Spectrum Next machines is delivered to backers.
• November 2023: The ZX Touch, a handheld emulation console, is released.
• 22 November 2024: Retro Games releases “The Spectrum”, a modern HDMI-compatible recreation with 48 built-in games.

ZX Spectrum Timeline History