3 Likely Reasons Why There Is No IPhone 9 - MakeUseOf

Apple fan or not, you probably noticed there’s been a number missing from the iPhone lineup over the years. Why is there no iPhone 9?

Apple still hasn't given a statement as to why it skipped the iPhone 9. However, there are a few common speculations that attempt to explain why it might be the case. Here are the most likely reasons.

1. It Was the iPhone’s 10th Anniversary

The iPhone X was released in November 2017 to commemorate the device’s 10th anniversary. X is the Roman numeral for 10. So far, it’s also the only iPhone to have a Roman numeral as a part of its name.

It would indeed sound a little odd if Apple used the iPhone 9 to mark the 10th year in its history of iPhones. The number mismatch would perhaps cause even more confusion, so skipping the iPhone 9 made more sense.

2. To Signify a Major iPhone Upgrade

From iPhone 8 to iPhone X, the device went through a major upgrade. For example, the iPhone X introduced Face ID, and the screen filled almost the whole front side of the iPhone, making the user experience even more immersive.

For those of us who didn’t buy the latest device there and then, we probably have the memory of gathering around that one person who owned the iPhone X and marveling at its shiny new features. The iPhone X is still one of the most significant iPhones of all time.

Given the iPhone X was also the most expensive iPhone Apple had made at that time, the name “iPhone 9” would fail to encapsulate its premium nature. The iPhone X gave an innovative new sound to the device.

3. It’s Just Better Marketing

Apple started selling the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus a couple of months before the iPhone X. It can be argued that the iPhone 8 Plus could just be called the iPhone 9 for the sake of continuity.

However, from a consumer’s point of view, if Apple had done that, you would automatically see the devices belonging to three separate categories of "newness" when you intended to upgrade your iPhone.

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By categorizing iPhone 8 and 8 Plus into the same series, consumers now see only two choices: good versus best, rather than old versus new. By making the pricey iPhone X extra special, Apple was likely to gain more sales.

Why Apple Skipped the iPhone 9

As far as it’s been speculated, skipping the iPhone 9 wasn’t due to superstition. If it was, Apple would have skipped the iPhone 4 or iPhone 13 too. Overall, it appears that having no iPhone 9 is simply a business move, which is naturally crucial for a tech giant such as Apple.