Simply when it appeared just like the web had lastly moved on from obsessing over Apple’s iPhone naming conventions… right here we go once more.
iOS 19 vs. 26
To be truthful, I don’t truly hate right now’s report that Apple will rename its working methods to replicate the discharge yr. Or slightly, the following yr. Automobiles do it. Samsung does it… OK, that’s just about it. Nevertheless it’s not that unusual.
As soon as we get previous the preliminary awkwardness of leaping straight to iOS 26, skipping a handful of model numbers alongside the best way, I’m fairly certain it’ll begin to sound pure sooner slightly than later.
But when Apple actually is shifting in that route, it solely will increase the strain to do one thing about iPhone naming. The concept of iOS 26 operating on an iPhone 18 already sounds disconnected, and some years from now, that mismatch might be going to really feel even worse.
Good timing?
I wrote lately about how Apple’s rumored transfer to interchange the “Plus” variant with an “Air” mannequin may give it an ideal alternative to scrub up the remainder of the lineup, too, retiring “Professional Max” and going all-in on “Extremely.”
This might convey iPhone naming according to the remainder of Apple’s new top-tier branding names, like Apple Watch Extremely, the M-series Extremely chips, and CarPlay Extremely.
The reality is, again after we began creeping towards awkward names like iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, I’m fairly certain I wasn’t the one one who figured Apple would ultimately drop the numbers completely and undertake the MacBook Professional-style naming (which, to be truthful, has had its personal versioning points).
However as time and iPhone releases marched on, I had made peace with the present numbering concept. As goofy because it as soon as sounded, we’d all gotten used to it and have extra urgent issues to fret about in our lives.
However now, in a world the place the software program would possibly indicate 2026, however the {hardware} nonetheless says 17… yeah, that may begin to really feel a bit bizarre once more.
Cue the podcast discussions.
So what may Apple truly do right here?
The primary choice is fairly apparent and the most definitely: nothing. Apple retains the present iPhone naming conference, whereas its working methods go on to undertake a unified, year-based conference.
The second choice is to flip the change on the title change for the iPhone as effectively. iPhone 26 comes out in September alongside iOS 26, and there’s little question as to that are the present cellphone fashions or system variations. Besides, possibly, from September via December. But when individuals can determine this out about vehicles, they will determine this out about iPhones.
The third choice is each my favourite and the least possible for all the plain causes: Apple ditches iPhone numbering altogether. Advertising and marketing title? iPhone, iPhone Air, iPhone Professional, iPhone Extremely. Precise product title? iPhone (2026), and so forth.
The issue is that, opposite to Macs, Apple retains promoting earlier variations when it releases new ones. So, whereas everybody is aware of you possibly can stroll into an Apple Retailer and purchase the present MacBook Professional, it wouldn’t be so easy for iPhones.
After which there’s the elephant within the room: the iPhone 16e. Apple simply launched a mannequin whose entire pitch is that it’s the entry-level iPhone, clearly labeled by quantity. Might Apple launch an… iPhone E? I hope not. Sixteeny is cacophonic sufficient.
Whether or not Apple decides to vary the iPhone title this yr, subsequent yr, or by no means, the rumored year-based OS title change shall be greater than sufficient cause for individuals to agree, disagree, or scoff on the concept of restarting these discussions once more. The place do you land? Tell us within the feedback.
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