It has always been simply called iPhone.
Has everyone forgotten that the iPhone has always been simply called “iPhone”?
Marketing-wise, there are:
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4S
Of all the 5 generations of iPhone, every single one of them has simply “iPhone” printed on the back. No “iPhone 3G”, “iPhone 3GS”, “iPhone 4” or “iPhone 4S”. Apple sees iPhone and iPad as a long term business. It doesn’t feel right to have some numbers attached to a product name. “iPhone 12” looks and sounds ugly. Historically Apple has been naming its product with a single name with some added descriptions. Of course there are exceptions to the rules such as PowerBook G4. The iMac bears the same name since its first introduction back in 1998. It went through several redesigns but still retains the same name. Apple TV is another example. Totally different product between the first and the second generation but carry the same name.
The next iPhone may have the nickname iPhone LTE or even iPhone 4G LTE to differentiate its new feature. When it’s actually released, one name will be printed on the back: iPhone.
