Introduction
In 2017, Apple released two new iPhone models: the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. But they skipped iPhone 9. For those who have been following Apple’s naming conventions, this decision may have been confusing. Why would Apple intentionally skip a number in their product lineup? For the curious minds out there, this article aims to explore the potential reasons behind Apple’s unexpected decision.
Historical context
For the past decade, Apple has released new iPhone models on an annual basis, with models being named chronologically as iPhone 3, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, etc. However, things started to become more complicated as new iPhone models emerged. For example, the iPhone 5S and 5C were released on the same day. Apple continued their naming tradition with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, then released the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus the following year. In 2016, they skipped the iPhone 7S and jumped straight to the iPhone 8. But they didn’t stop there. In the same year, they released the iPhone X, dubbed the iPhone ten.
It’s clear that Apple’s naming conventions have evolved over time, becoming more complex and less predictable; something longtime fans might not have appreciated. But why did Apple skip the number 9 so unceremoniously? Was it a technical, strategic or marketing reason?
Technical reasons
The iPhone 8 was released alongside the iPhone X, with the former being an improvement over the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. However, the iPhone X was a highly-anticipated release, promising new features, such as Face ID, a facial recognition technology that unlocked the phone using biometrics. So, while the iPhone 8 was impressive, many were more interested in the iPhone X at that time.
Perhaps, one of the reasons why Apple chose to skip the number 9 was to prevent confusion between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 9. Since the iPhone X was a significant departure from previous models, it was necessary to differentiate it from the iPhone 8. One way to avoid this confusion was to simply skip the number 9 altogether.
Branding and marketing
In recent years, Apple has updated its branding and marketing strategies. The company has become more focused on creating a luxury brand image, using an exclusive feel to appeal to its target audience. This shift was visible in the way Apple marketed the iPhone X. Apple placed a lot of emphasis on the unique characteristics of the phone, highlighting that it was the company’s tenth anniversary edition of the iPhone.
By skipping the number 9, Apple was able to attach more significance to the iPhone X release. It created a sense of exclusivity with the belief that the iPhone X was something special, something unique, something deserving of an exclusive title. It’s possible that Apple’s branding strategy played a significant role in this decision.
Competitor analysis
When it comes to smartphones, Apple has a lot of competition, including Samsung, LG, Google, and Huawei. These companies release regular updates to their product lineups in an attempt to stay ahead of the curve. However, their naming conventions don’t always follow a logical pattern. For example, Samsung released the Galaxy S21 after the Galaxy S20. LG went from G8 to V50, skipping the G9.
Apple might have skipped iPhone 9 to keep up with the naming conventions of competitors. These companies have historically struggled with naming their products, with confusing and inconsistent patterns. Apple may have felt that it was necessary to shake things up and try something new by skipping iPhone 9, thus keeping up with the confusing patterns of their competitors.
Rumor control
There were countless rumors and speculation floating around about why Apple decided to skip iPhone 9. One of the most popular theories was that Apple just didn’t like the number 9, as it was considered unlucky in some cultures. Others believed that Apple made the decision to skip the number 9 because it wanted to pay homage to the original iPhone, released 10 years before.
While these rumors are intriguing, they’re likely not the actual reasons behind Apple’s decision. Instead, it’s more reasonable to look at the technical, branding, marketing, and competitor analysis discussed above.
Conclusion
Although the reasons behind Apple’s decision to skip the number 9 may never be fully understood, it’s clear that a variety of factors likely played a role. By exploring the company’s historical context, technical specifications, branding and marketing, competitor analysis, and rumor control, we now have a better understanding of the situation.
Regardless of why Apple skipped iPhone 9, it’s safe to say that fans embraced the iPhone X with open arms. Only time will tell if Apple will continue to shake up its naming conventions in the years to come.