The new iPhones will be official, at least by September, and while many rumors are circulating about the new devices, their names remain very much under wraps.
Apple is expected to release three new iPhone models in 2018. There may be a 5.8-inch model, which would likely be similar to the current iPhone X, a new 6.1-inch model, which would stand as the official 2018 upgrade, and a 6.5-inch “Plus version” of the new device.
Apple shocked fans when it scrapped the “iPhone 9” in 2017 and named its new flagship the iPhone X or iPhone 10. While the name is catchy, it leaves a lot of mystery for what the smartphone company will call iPhones in the future.
Here are some ideas of how Apple could name its new devices.
iPhone X (2018)
Using the iPhone X, plus a year denotation could work for several generations with the current design. There could be an iPhone (2018) this year and iPhone (2019) next year. An “iPhone X (2020)” could be a big marketing opportunity for Apple. After that, it would likely be time to shift again to a new name and possibly a new design.
iPhone 11/iPhone XI
Continuing the number sequence, especially with the Roman numerals, could also be a great branding opportunity for Apple. Again, After iPhone XI and iPhone XII, the company may be looking to rebrand again.
iPhone/iPhone Plus
There are already suggestions that Apple may just scrap the number sequence and call its next device the “iPhone.” This could be a good move for 2018 but doesn’t leave much room for continued implementation.
iPhone 9
There is no word on whether Apple will keep the metal design iPhones, perhaps as a budget brand phone. If so, the iPhone number sequence could potentially live on for one more year with an iPhone 9.
iOS Phone
This suggestion is a little silly but is in step with how the hardware and software branding of Apple’s other product lines have come together over time. Macs run MacOS, the Apple Watch runs Watch OS. A device running iOS could easily be called the iOS Phone.
Apple Phone
Apple is pivoting more and more away from the concept of “i” as a brand and uses “Apple” more as it expands. There’s Apple Pay and Apple Music, why not Apple Phone? This, like iOS Phone would be a great opportunity for Apple to restart a number sequence.
iPhone AR/iPhone VR
Apple could have an opportunity to market its devices in accordance with its primary features. This would be similar to the iPod Touch being the touchscreen iPod or the iPod Nano being the super small on-the-go iPod. If the upcoming iPhone had a heavier focus on augmented reality or virtual reality, for example, Apple could use that function as branding and call the device iPhone AR or iPhone VR.
