What's in a Name? Apple Can't Release an iPhone 9 Next Year

Last week, Apple looked to its history and resurrected the “X” moniker once used on OS X. In calling its newest flagship device the iPhone X, however, the company now faces a big problem heading into 2018.

Two weeks prior to last week’s event on the Apple Park campus, the rumors had rightfully concluded Apple’s three new handsets would be called the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

Strangely, when it came time to introduce the iPhone X, Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t call the company’s new flagship device the iPhone “X” but rather the iPhone “10.” This came just minutes after the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were introduced.

See the problem? What happens next year?

In 2018, Apple could introduce the “iPhone 9” or the “iPhone 11.” But neither of these names make sense. You can’t introduce an iPhone 9 a year after announcing the iPhone “10.” And iPhone 11 doesn’t make sense either because there wasn’t an iPhone 9.

So what should Apple do?

I think we’ve seen the last of the numbered iPhones. Don’t be surprised if next year’s handset lineup sounds a lot like iPad. Think iPhone and iPhone Pro, rather than iPhone 9 and iPhone 10.

Of course, Apple can do whatever it wants. Perhaps we’ll all be wanting an iPhone XI next year.

What do you think next year’s iPhone should be called? Let us know below.