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Future of the Yearly iPhone Releases?

E

ECB

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 31, 2014
40
5
Lexington, KY
Hey everyone, so I was wondering what you all thought what the future would hold when it comes to the naming of the new yearly released iPhones?

Do you think they're throwing away the "S" forever and just going to name every phone that comes out each your the iPhone 9 instead of the iPhone 8S?

It makes me think they're trying to go after Samsung's strategy with releasing an entirely new phone every year. What's your all's thoughts and opinions?
 
In the past few years, Apple has done the opposite and overstayed their welcome on design. I think they have proved to themselves that three releases on the identical form is much too long.
They destroyed their nomenclature when the jumped from 7 to 8 to X. Going forward I'd guess we are going to see some other type of designation. We won't know for sure until it happens. Apple keeps their cards close to the chest.
 
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Jjayf said:
In the past few years, Apple has done the opposite and overstayed their welcome on design. I think they have proved to themselves that three releases on the identical form is much too long.
They destroyed their nomenclature when the jumped from 7 to 8 to X. Going forward I'd guess we are going to see some other type of designation. We won't know for sure until it happens. Apple keeps their cards close to the chest.
Click to expand...

I think Apple will retain the numbering system, because it's in an integral part of the iPhone and it shows the older models being devalued compared to the new ones that will supersede it.
 
S tends to be a point release
Number changes when the housing does
 
Relentless Power said:
I think Apple will retain the numbering system, because it's in an integral part of the iPhone and it shows the older models being devalued compared to the new ones that will supersede it.
Click to expand...

Is so hard to speculate with Apple. I'd be inclined to agree if they hadn't screwed everything up by jumping directly to 8 then bypassing 9 altogether. For all we know, iPhone X is a one off special edition and they will roll out an 8s and a 9 in a different form factor. Xs? X+? Who knows.

This is Apples chance to distance themselves from the Samsung Galaxy line up. I've always hated that the two lines are so similarly named. In fact, that could be a major reason they jumped to X. It gives market impression that Iphone is ahead of Galaxy. Samsung coming out with their new phones ahead of Apple and being first to market with a higher number was done on purpose. In marketing, even tiny advantages can have big impacts.
 
DNichter said:
I think they drop the numbering next year. iPhone (5.8) and iPhone Plus (6.4). X design language.
Click to expand...

I don't believe Apple will drop the numbering scheme. The numbering is a reminder to consumers there is an annual release of iPhones. To market the new iPhones, Apple needs to age the older model iPhones models to show how they are transitioned accordingly. The Numbering labeling is a huge part of the iPhone history and likely always will be.
 
XS is unlikely, given the connotation of "extra-small"
XI / 11 are possibilities (every phone comes pre-loaded with Season 3 of Stranger Things)

Going back to just "iPhone" would be cool. Doesn't leave much for marketing the name though, which they're doing a ton of this year. All about that X.

Relentless Power said:
I don't believe Apple will drop the numbering scheme. The numbering is a reminder to consumers there is an annual release of iPhones. To market the new iPhones, Apple needs to age the older model iPhones models to show how they are transitioned accordingly. The Numbering labeling is a huge part of the iPhone history and likely always will be.
Click to expand...
It really does have to stop at some point though, don't you think?
"Introducing the iPhone 27 and iPhone 27 Plus" would be a little silly
 
Many people were very sure that Apple would drop the numbering system this year, and instead we ended up with two new numbered iPhones.

Not saying they won’t drop it next year, but I think there’s a better chance they keep it.

One thing I can’t see them doing is releasing an iPhone 9 next year. iPhone 9 is faster and newer than 8... and 10?
 
Relentless Power said:
I don't believe Apple will drop the numbering scheme. The numbering is a reminder to consumers there is an annual release of iPhones. To market the new iPhones, Apple needs to age the older model iPhones models to show how they are transitioned accordingly. The Numbering labeling is a huge part of the iPhone history and likely always will be.
Click to expand...

Guess we'll see. It's just going to get messy.
 
Next year will be the iPhone 9 and the iPhone X2. Or X Squared. Afterwards, iPhone 11 and starting iPhone Edition 2020 the year after
 
I'd be really surprised if there was an iPhone 9, Apple pronounces it "iPhone Ten"
 
I personally think they should just stop with the numbers, I think it's getting really sloppy from a marketing standpoint...

The fact that they have an iPhone 8 and an iPhone X, but no iPhone 9 is so laughable... It's a complete disaster in my opinion. I hope they just refer to it as iPhone, iPhone Plus, and iPhone Premium or something along those lines.

Just my two cents.
 
ECB said:
I personally think they should just stop with the numbers, I think it's getting really sloppy from a marketing standpoint...

The fact that they have an iPhone 8 and an iPhone X, but no iPhone 9 is so laughable... It's a complete disaster in my opinion. I hope they just refer to it as iPhone, iPhone Plus, and iPhone Premium or something along those lines.

Just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Why? There is no Windows 9, for example, and somehow Microsoft and people get on just fine.
 
C DM said:
Why? There is no Windows 9, for example, and somehow Microsoft and people get on just fine.
Click to expand...

I just think it's bad marketing, Microsoft included. It just comes across as scattered and all over the place (in my eyes.)

I loved how they've categorized Mac OS X with Tiger, Sierra, etc. Not saying they should be naming the iPhone after places or wild cats, but think it's an interesting concept.
 
Jjayf said:
In the past few years, Apple has done the opposite and overstayed their welcome on design. I think they have proved to themselves that three releases on the identical form is much too long.
Click to expand...

If you thought three years/releases were long, you better brace yourself because how soon do you think the X design will be fundamentally changed? My guess is never. There is nothing to change anymore when the front is basically all screen. They will release different sizes and colours and eventually get rid of the notch (but not as soon as you may think/hope), but that‘s about it for the smartphone concept as we know it wrt exterior design. Maybe foldable screens will become a thing, but that will also take quite a while and maybe something completely else like smart glasses will be here faster and replace the smartphone itself. In the meantime, the X is what you get.
 
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