I Asked Apple About The iPhone 9

TL;DR

Apple skipped the iPhone 9 for the iPhone 10 as a branding strategy.

Transcript

so yesterday I did something that I finally kind of wish I did earlier and I basically asked Apple you know essentially what happened with the iPhone 9 or why it wasn't there an iPhone 9 made now for those of you who don't know in 2017 Apple went from making the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus basically every single year before that they were incrementi... Read More

Key Insights

• 💋 Apple’s decision to skip the iPhone 9 was aligned with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, marking a rebranding strategy.
• 🙈 The iPhone 10 was seen as a major leap in design and functionality compared to its predecessors.
• ❓ Apple customer support seemed to evade giving a clear reason for the iPhone 9's absence, indicating possible internal branding considerations.
• 🫷 The smartphone market in 2017 was vibrant, pushing Apple to innovate and differentiate its offerings amidst competition.
• 💋 The transition from iPhone 8 to iPhone 10 marked a significant change in Apple's product naming convention that shifted expectations.
• ✋ There are speculations about the potential for an iPhone 9 in the future, despite the current trend moving towards higher numbered models.
• ❓ Consumer curiosity around Apple's decision-making reflects deeper interest in brand strategy and product innovation.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Apple skip the release of the iPhone 9?

Apple opted to skip the iPhone 9 in 2017 to directly introduce the iPhone 10, aligning their product launch with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. This branding decision was seen as a way to signify a major evolution in their smartphone design and functionality, rather than a simple numerical progression.

Q: What were the last numbered iPhones before the iPhone 10?

The last numbered iPhones released prior to the iPhone 10 were the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. These models marked the final iterations in the traditional numbering system before Apple decided to shift their branding strategy with the introduction of the iPhone 10.

Q: How did Apple support respond to the inquiry about the iPhone 9?

When asked about the iPhone 9, Apple support explained that the iPhone 10 followed the iPhone 8 but did not provide a specific reason for skipping the iPhone 9. They suggested moving on to technical support topics instead, reflecting the ambiguity surrounding the decision.

Q: What was the smartphone market like during the launch of the iPhone 10?

In 2017, the smartphone market was competitive, with significant releases from other manufacturers, including Samsung's Galaxy S8 and Note 8 and Google's Pixel 3. Apple's iPhone 10 aimed to stand out amid these launches, focusing on innovative features and a departure from its traditional naming conventions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 2017, Apple transitioned from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 10, skipping the iPhone 9 to mark the 10th anniversary.

• The choice to skip the iPhone 9 was seen as a branding decision rather than a technical one, aiming to revitalize Apple's lineup.

• The Apple support response indicated there was no straightforward reason for the absence of the iPhone 9, highlighting Apple's strategic choices.