Why Apple’s iPhone 8 Won’t Be Called the ‘iPhone 8’

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Between the daily rumors and the constant leaks of case images and schematics, we know with near certainty that Apple will be unveiling at least three iPhones this September. As projected by KGI Securities analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, these handsets will include two refreshed ‘iPhone 7s’ models (7s/7s Plus), boasting the same 4.7- and 5.5-inch LCD displays as their predecessors. In addition, Kuo said, Apple is preparing what we’ve been led to believe will be the ‘iPhone 8’ — a flagship Apple device, boasting premium features, next-generation technologies, and so much more — albeit at an equally premium price.

Though, I write today to wage my case that the iPhone 8, as we know it now, won’t actually arrive as ‘iPhone 8’. I’m not exactly trying to prophesize or stir the pot, but there’s a ton of evidence to back up those claims. First, however, let’s refresh ourselves with a little bit about the history of iPhone numbering.

iPhone Nomenclature and Numbering

Steve Jobs teased the first iPhone model at Macworld 2007 — a game-changing device that went on to be branded, quite simply, iPhone, when it launched later on that summer. The following year, Apple announced a sequel to the iPhone, branded iPhone 3G, which was the company’s second generation handset featuring the burgeoning 3G connectivity option of the 2008 era. By the summer of 2009, Apple was ready with yet another refresh to the iPhone 3G, which was embodied by the spec-boosted yet similarly-styled iPhone 3GS. And the 3GS, as most die-hard iPhone fans will tell you, set the course for Apple’s current iPhone naming strategy.

Apple has been releasing a new device every year since 2007 — with every other year representing either modest changes to, or outright redesigns of, the iPhone. For example, 2010 saw the release of Apple’s iPhone 4, which was radically redesigned from the iPhone 3GS that preceded it. In 2011, Apple followed up on the iPhone 4 by releasing the 4s — a comparable handset to the iPhone 4, albeit featuring more powerful internal components. Then came the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Again, in 2014, Apple changed the game when it released the totally redesigned iPhone 6 in two sizes — a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and a larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. 2015 gave us the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, 2016 gave us the current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus flagships, and sometime in the month of September this year, we will be given the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus as successors to the current iPhone 7 lineup.

Would Apple Release an iPhone  7s and an 8 at the Same Time?

“But wait,” you’re thinking, “What’s this about an iPhone 8 launching this year then?” It seems far from Apple — if not downright illogical — to arbitrarily confuse its customers by releasing an iPhone 7s at the same time it releases an iPhone 8, doesn’t it? Historically speaking, the iPhone 8 shouldn’t even be coming until 2018. Why then would Apple deviate from its own, pragmatic traditions, just to potentially cannibalize on its own iPhone 7s by dichotomously introducing a “next-generation” ‘iPhone 8’ alongside of it?

It simply doesn’t add up, and I believe, therefore, that Apple has even bigger plans in store for the ‘iPhone 8’ — first and most notably among them being that the device won’t actually be called the iPhone 8. Rather, I provide two possibilities: iPhone Edition or iPhone X. While the names are neither set in stone or limited to just these options, of course, there have been plenty of rumblings from the rumor mill suggesting that we could very well see an iPhone X or an iPhone Edition this fall.

iPhone Edition

The iPhone Edition moniker had been thrown around for quite some time, but was pushed farther into the limelight recently by Benjamin Geskin, who simultaneously released schematics of the top-tier flagship that were allegedly obtained from sources within Apple’s supply chain to iDrop News. In addition to the iPhone Edition name, Geskin also confirmed several of the premium flagship’s external specifications, such as the presence of a vertically re-oriented camera module.

iPhone X

Alternatively, the iPhone X moniker was hinted at in a patent that Apple was granted earlier this year, suggesting that the premium, OLED-equipped device could be christened ‘iPhone X’ (or the 10th iPhone) to celebrate the handset’s 10 year anniversary. Additionally, a group of Foxconn workers came forward with multiple iPhone 8 leaks using the popular social networking site Reddit; but most interestingly, the workers referred to the iPhone 8 as the ‘iPhone X’ in every instance, further lending credibility to the rumor.

There have been no further rumors about either name, however, so we do recommend taking this all with a grain of salt. But we do know with near certainty that Apple has an extra special iPhone to delight the masses this September, whatever it may be called.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]

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