With the announcement of the iPhone 4S, many people are saying they'll skip this generation of iPhone and wait for the iPhone 5. But is there really a difference between what Apple announced as iPhone 4S and what they would have announced as an iPhone 5? If they'd used that name instead, would reaction have been any different? And now that they've gone with iPhone 4S, does that mean you'll have to wait until 2012 for an iPhone 5? Yes and no. There will no doubt be a new iPhone in fall 2012, but I do doubt Apple will call it "iPhone 5".
Let's take a look at the names of each of the iPhones that have been released thus far:
- 1st generation: iPhone
- 2nd generation: iPhone 3G
- 3rd generation: iPhone 3GS
- 4th generation: iPhone 4
- 5th generation: iPhone 4S
It needs to be pointed out that the 3G and 3GS names had nothing to do with the generations of the the iPhone. These suffixes were named after the cellular technology associated with those devices. The added 'S' was Apple's way of saying that the iPhone 3GS was a faster, new and improved iPhone 3G.
Then came the iPhone 4. Now, this iPhone was named after its generation. The fourth generation iPhone with the name iPhone 4 made perfect sense. In fact, many assumed, myself included, that Apple would be using this naming scheme from then on out.
Then they announced the iPhone 4S. Just as with the iPhone 3GS, the 'S' implies that the iPhone 4S is a faster, new and improved version of the iPhone 4 - which it is. It's a perfectly fine name, but it throws a wrench into their naming pattern.
Some might argue that it only makes sense to name the 2012 iPhone the iPhone 5, when in fact, it doesn't make any sense. What exactly would the 5 stand for? Nothing. So what then, will the 6th generation iPhone be called?
Perhaps iPhone 6? No, this doesn't fit the scheme, because it skips 5. What about iPhone LTE? Quite possibly, but this may leave out some networks who aren't quite yet on board with LTE. My prediction? iPhone. Just iPhone.
Look at the rest of Apple's product line. There's the iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPod, then iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S sticks out like a sore thumb, and Apple must be planning to drop the suffix to the name eventually. I believe the perfect time for them to make that move will be with the sixth generation iPhone.
This is, of course, is my own speculation. Now tell me yours. What's your prediction for the next iPhone's name?
Reader comments
What's in a name: iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 5 and what's next?
LTE is 4G..
I was thinking I phone 2012
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The same procedure is for Snow Leopard too...
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I just thought of it today.
You're way ahead of the game.
I'm always second place, or third, or ...
Why don't you all get it? '4S' means 'For Steve;' last product on which he had a personal impact.
Enjoy your weekend; hope everybody's a stockholder (owner).
Makes complete sense and in hind sight quite obvious. We all know that Mr Jobs was a huge fan of the oPhone 4 design so why change it!
Question I do have tho - why did Apple Alter the design for the US Verizon network???
But iPad is going with iPad -> iPad2 & next version will mostlikey be called iPad 3.
They should call it ..... IRobot4g h I j k l m n o p
iPhone 4SJ or just iPhone SJ
They may just call it "Steve".
All I know it will have the same reference as mac's, they will separate them by year...
iphone is iphone, all matters is when it was produces...
Well, without redesigns there is no generation change in reality.
the i4 is on the iPhone's third generation.
iPhone-First gen
iPhone 3g and S - second gen
iPhone 4 and S - third gen
Shouldn't a generation have a radical change? Just like car life cycles?
I'm a recent PC defecter. I bought my 1st mac about 2 months ago,and I'm so excited about this new iPhone. I've had the evo4g,great phone but,now I have the Droid x2......I'll be getting my iPhone 4s early next year to complete the cycle. Android needs to work out the kinks.I love their big screens,but the picture is much better on an Apple product even though the screens on mac and iPhone are smaller. Go figure.......
I love Apple.....no complaining here. I hope to post more on these forums even though I'm a newbie at 49. There.....not ashamed to say it. hehe :o)
It will be called iPhone 6 because it will have a new A6 chip in it.
3g/3gs same design
4/4s/ same design
it just worked, so the new iphone is going to be iphone 6/S/ or just a new revolutionary design like iphone/iphone XL :) (4 inches ftw)
and i was hoping to see the iPhone 68
Sadly we all like the rumours about the next phone and we build ourselves up. What ever they call the phone, it is still the new phone. Why not just have the year as the name.
Ispeak ? Itell ? Iassistant ?
Well being as it will more than likely be 4g the perhaps iPhone 4G filled by a 4GS or even as u mentioned going back to juts iPhone
godd
I made a remarkably similar argument in my blog yesterday (http://j.mp/rco94h), except I concluded the next gen iPhone would either be the iPhone 6 (6th gen) or the iPhone 4G (LTE reference). I think the iPhone 5 name will be skipped like iPhone 2 name was.
Thank you! I couldn't have said it better myself
Maybe i can say iPhone 4S = iPhone 4.5.
Talking about number, For Chinese people, they will avoid to use "4" on any of their things. Because it was a bad fortune and "4" means "death" in their spelling language.
Here at Apple they even use it twice for iPhone.
I'm not trying to be superstitious (coz i'm not chinese) but watching the keynote that Apple stores open in China and recieve news about Mr. Jobs passed away, is it related with the number?
Just sayin..
Actually the next iPhone needs to be called iPhone 6 since its the 6th generation phone.
iPhone Pro
Who really cares what it is called... What does it have and do? That will be the question that matters!
Should be named iPhone SJ in honor of Steve.
You simply just cannot call it IPhone because when the next IPhone comes out what will it call it. Since Apple is selling multiple versions of the same phone(3Gs,4,4S) you have give one a distinct name. Since they didn't change the name to 5, I would still say its part of the 4th generation. I'd call it a version upgrade like the Droid X2. Same design faster components. That said next year just call it the IPhone 4G. By then LTE and HSPA+ is will more available. Simple name and understanding.
My prediction is that there will be no need to come up with a suffix...this is the last iPhone. Sure it's sold at mobile phone carriers, but this is no longer just a iPhone/iPod. Apple will invent some new device called iLife/iTransform/iSynergy that integrates everything in your life in 1 device.
So still no 4g support?
My guess is it will be iPhone 5. I don't think traditional numbering applies at Apple. (Aren't we still on OS "10"?) While the thought that they might remove the number seems reasonable when compared to their other hardware lines, I think the numbering is crucial for product differentiation in the mobile phone market. Even the iOS release process relies on this differentiation. Imagine the iOS 7 announcement keynote in a couple of years when they try indicating which iPhones this will (and will not) run on...
They can call it potato pancakes for all I care. Just increase the screen size already.
That's funny, for me, I love the screen size. I've used several other sizes too, but it just seems to be perfect for me. To each his own I guess!
iPhone 3D anyone? 4-inch glasses free 3D display?
wow... could you put a any more cheese on your statement?
iPhone 4GS which supports 4G technology.
The S means speed just as it did in the 3GS... The next iPhone will be called iPhone 6 for the 6th model and so on...
Steve left his company with a legacy. He knew people would be upset at his passing. I believe he also knew that many would be upset at NOT getting the iPhone 5. He left the "latest and greatest" for Tim to unveil when the disappointment of his death and a different phone other than what was hoped for.
On another note, seriously, if they changed the design of the case no one would be saying a thing...well, some would...they want LTE, we all do but the battery needs to support it. (Apple would never pull a Thunderbolt) Also, I'm quite sure the majority of people that buy their phone are looking for more than just a 4 inch screen.
I like this idea on the surface, but not sure if it sticks up to closer scrutiny. For those other lines, the iPod's do have a further descriptor - touch, nano, classic, etc. In addition, those other lines only have one "release" at a time. Yes, they have different specs, but you can't buy last years iMac as a "cheap" price from Apple. If they will continue to offer the "older" model of an iPhone at a discounted rate, what will they call those? This year it is "iPhone", but next year, when we have a new "iPhone", it changes to "iPhone Old"?
The next iPhone will be the iPhone Air
Do we not count the "iTunes Phone" ??
But Leanna made a great point on the podcast on Tuesday, what do the call it?
I really hate when they (phone companies or carriers) give a line of phones names, 1 offs fine, but when you've had a linear range, one after the other after the other it just makes things muddy.
Perhaps... like the MacBook ranges.... we'll get an "iPhone Late 2012" ???
With all due respect to Steve, RIP, I truly feel bad for his passing someone so brilliant that could have done so much more. But unfortunalty all great icon figure have a tragic and sudden death.
I just want to say at this moment the iPhone 4 is still a solid machine, whats wrong with the spec's, are you aware that 8 hour talk time is amazing!!! I think that we all expected a new design only let down..
But I don't think apple messed up we all know apple is slow adding new technologies however when they get it work better than anyone around.
But I will be first in line to get my Iphone4s...
or 4Sprint :D
I don't think the iPhone 5 is going to be called the iPhone 5, more than likely it'll be the iPhone 6
It will probably be iPhone 5. It will have a new ID and will merit a 5 based on ID iteration. (Even though 4 was actually only the 3rd ID change.)
It will be as if 3 was a 1 in naming convention. It begins the trend of naming based on ID change. ID change new number interm internal hardware/os changes (new number + S) = (#)S. They won't keep that up forever. Because Steve wouldn't want it that way. But until they create the pattern they will.
That is my speculation.
I think they could call it iPhone 5 still. It's just like a version number. The 4S would be v4.5 and the next could be called iPhone 5, v5.0.
i think it would be called iPhone 6.
This is due to the fact when after iPhone 3GS was launched, the named the next version as iPhone 4 - which means iPhone 3GS was the 3rd Gen.
Taking the same logic here, the next phone would be iPhone 6 - the 6th Gen.
No iPhone 5.
It will iPhone 4S makes sense because the form factor is identical to the iPhone 4. Then next phone will be iPhone 5 not because it adds LTE or any other innovoation, but because there will be a redesign of the form factor.
just accept it for what it is and move on... If you like the phone get one. If not, don't get one and move on... Just sayin...
Exactly. Apple could make 100 new iphones and people would still find something to complain about. If it fits your needs get it, if not, there are tons of other options out there.
You are so stupid. She wasn't complaining about anything. There is nothing to 'accept for what it is'. I actually had the same thoughts as soon as they announced the name. I'm sure Leanna is excited about the new iPhone as much as I am.
iPhone Pro
You're all getting this backwards, with this "what people expected" and the 5 x 4S name.
Did anyone expected a compass when Apple launched the 3GS? What about a retina display and a gyroscope, anyone asked for that?
Apple created a pattern of surprising people with things no one expected, or even knew existed. THAT is what people expected from iPhone 5 and became disappointed when they got a 4S.
The only thing worse than a keynote below expectations is people apologizing on behalf of Apple and looking for a way to justify the lack of innovation on the 4S. And let's not talk about Siri, a product that has been on the App Store for over a year.
Well Siri must not have been that cool in the app store if this is the first time i have heard about the technology. And their is not way that an app could generate the power that Siri will be able to introduce being integrated into the system. So even though there has been an app.... it will not come close to what will show on the 4s. As for that.... i wish that they did a 5 with a bigger screen. Even if it had the exact same guts as this 4s... i just wanted a bigger screen. Stupid rumors.
iPhone Pro and iPhone Air? :)
I was thinking along these lines, maybe iPhone Max ;-)
iPhone 2012...plain and simplejust go by year from now on
To me, iPhone 4G makes the most sense. It will most likely have LTE and HSPA+, so it wouldn't leave anyone out (as long as Sprint has some sort of LTE network up and running by then).