APPLE’S next smartphone could be named iPhone 9 – despite the iPhone 11 coming out just two months ago.
Keen Apple watchers will know that Apple never released an iPhone 9, skipping straight from iPhone 8 to iPhone X (10) in 2017.
The decision to jump straight to iPhone X has never been very clearly explained.
Most likely of all answers is that Apple wanted to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the original iPhone, which launched in 2007.
But it meant that Apple never actually debuted an iPhone 9.
Now Japanese tech site MacOtakara says we’ll finally see the iPhone 9 in 2020.
The gadget news blog has a solid track record for Apple rumours, and has predicted a number of iPhone features in recent years.
It cites “informed sources”, but doesn’t reveal who they are – which makes the claims tricky to verify.
However, it’s been widely rumoured that Apple is plotting a cheap and cheerful iPhone for spring 2020.
The handset is tipped to be a spiritual successor to 2016’s small iPhone SE.
Apple fans became enamoured with the 4-inch device, particularly as it cost several hundred pounds less than the iPhone 6S and iPhone 7.
In recent years, Apple phones have spiralled well north of £1,000/$1,000.
The top-spec version of this year’s iPhone 11 Pro Max costs £1,499/$1,449, while the cheapest new iPhone starts at £729/$699.
Apple is under constant pressure to sell more iPhones, so releasing a cheaper model could be a winning move.
How iPhone sizes have changed over the years
This lower-price handset is expected to look more like the classic iPhone 8, rather than the new iPhone X/11 design.
That potentially means a Home button, a display with bezel at the top and bottom, and curved edges.
According to MacOtakara, the phone will retail for around $449/£449 to $499/£499.
That’s similar to previous predictions we’ve seen from analysts about this rumoured mobile.
Of course, Apple hasn’t confirmed any such iPhone, so take all rumours with due caution for now.
In other news, Apple could be planning to launch five new iPhones in 2020.
Apple revealed that its ‘best app of 2019’ can delete people from your holiday photos.
A tech blogger has revealed the possible design for next year’s iPhone 12.
And check out the full list of Britain’s top iPhone app and game downloads.
What do you think Apple’s next iPhone should be called? Let us know in the comments!
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