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With iOS 18 Jumping to iOS 26, Will Apple Renumber iPhones Too?

The problem with that naming scheme is that it forces Apple to bring one numbered update each year instead of scheduling major updates when there are really major changes.

I noticed that in the US they even number car models with the year Like a "2025 BMW 7 series". That is very different from other countries. Of course car buyers are always want to know when a car was built, but only in the US the year is mentioned with the name even if the 2025 model has not changed at all compared to the 2024 model.
 
Might remain the same for now. But it might change when the 20th anniversary edition launches in 2027.
 
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No need to use years for the phones like the OS, the OS gets updated every year but Phones don’t change name. Continue the normal numbering system and just call the 20th anniversary iPhone, iPhone 20, you can even still use 19 for the non-Pro version since it won’t have the new design.
 
robertosh said:
I don't think that would be good (for consumers). Adding the year of manufacturing to the name could foster obsolescence, as you can visualise easily how old is your device/OS and maybe tempted to upgrade sooner.

One thing is clear, Apple won't do such (expensive) naming changes just for consistency.
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You're talking BS. Everything Apple does is good for consumers, competition, security. Duuuh.
/s

@sos47, well, they could kinda follow Microsoft's scheme, just instead of 25H1/2 they would do like Q1/4 (although it's pretty dumb seeing that new iOS versions get released on September/October-ish)
 
Though it inherently makes sense there will still be a discrepancy in the year and version. If they release iOS 26 Fall it’s technically released in 2025. I doubt it but wonder if they go down this naming road will they shift the release dates back a few months to the 1st quarter of the year to match naming?

That said cars are done the same way with when they’re released and their year of manufacture.
 
contacos said:
I hope not. It takes so long to say "twenty six" in my language, it would be annoying for that reason alone 😅

I am also sure a lot of people would be confused with the marketing and expect it to come out next year
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If that's your biggest issue then skip the new iPhone 26 this year and don't update your existing iPhone to iOS26 and wait until iOS27 is released.
 
contacos said:
I hope not. It takes so long to say "twenty six" in my language, it would be annoying for that reason alone 😅

I am also sure a lot of people would be confused with the marketing and expect it to come out next year
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Does it match the energy of how bad it’ll be in French in the 80s and 90s. Like… 4 20s 14 - quartre vingt quatorze…
 
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With all of the other problems at Apple these days, this is a needless distraction.

They should do this when they have solved the problems and call it a new beginning. Now it is just painting over the old problems and failures.

Another failure by Cook's lack of strategic thinking and understanding.
 
Please don't! My brain already associates the hardware with the year... Thinking I just got a 15 just last year... we still have 85 years left in this century.. This all might just be my coping mechanism. I struggle knowing this century is already a quarter gone, and on the precipice of being through half of one myself.. Might need to contemplate switching to the Ge'ez calendar to get my years back...
 
Big problems in Apple software-land. They've swapped management in Siri. Brought in the fire fighter lady. They are buying time with this slight-of-hand re-branding. Craig should be on thin ice. This is not Tim's forte.
 
Do we need the “i” anymore?

Just name them Apple Phone, Apple Phone Pro, Apple Phone Pro Max and Apple Phone Air.
When asked what the model number is, it’s 26, 27, etc., running on OS 26, 27, etc…
 
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I wouldn't be surprised if the naming convention becomes:

iPhone A19
iPhone Air A19
iPhone Pro A19
iPhone Ultra A19

Since all the new phones will use the A19 SoC, the Pro models will not use the A19 Pro name.

The iPhone 16e will keep its current name until next spring, when its replacement, the iPhone E A19, arrives.
 
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They broke the iPhone sequence when they skipped iPhone 2 and iPhone 9, and in the opposite dimension when they released notable "S" models (3GS,4S,5S,6S,XS), and when they released the 8 and the X in the same year.
 
naturalboy said:
Naming it iOS 26 when it’s released in 2025 isn’t confusing at all. /s

This will be Tim Cook’s legacy of innovation at Apple.
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It’s really not though, car companies have been doing the exact same marketing strategy forever. It’s the OS built for the next year. It wouldn’t be complicated in the slightest unless you think the world is actually baby brained stupid.
 
The Mac lineup keeps the same name year after year—so why not do the same with the iPhone? Just drop the numbers. After all, the changes from one year to the next aren’t that significant anyway.
 
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