Name of the iPhone 11: that Apple should call its new phones

We entered the season of rumors on the iPhone. Between now and Apple's alleged announcement on September 10, we will have details on the new iPhones that will surely push the leaders of Apple to bite the bullet. The leaks will come from Apple's supply chain in Asia, residents of Cupertino and even details inadvertently left in Apple's own beta software.

But in general, two pieces of the puzzle do not flow: how the new iPhones will be named and how their price will be calculated. This causes some of the most interesting speculations of this stupid season surrounding the next iPhone 11 – and for a good reason. More than any other technology company, Apple is an expert in storytelling around its products. That's why his media events are receiving so much attention.

This year, Apple has many challenges in marketing. This is the third year of the iPhone X hardware family and the second year for the iPhone XRTherefore, it is unlikely that changes are made to the external design of Apple phones, often the main driver of a huge slowdown in sales. The presence of the iPhone XR adds another ride as Apple continues to try to differentiate it from more expensive models of the company. And then there is the name of the iPhone X itself, which seems not to be able to be pursued by another generation. iPhone XRM? iPhone XST? Yuck.

iPhone 11: the new iPhone XR?

Some rumors suggest that Apple will redefine the successor of the iPhone XR as a new flagship model, perhaps even giving it the exact name iPhone 11. The iPhone XR is a bit of a " tweener ", as they say in the world of sport – between the sizes of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Maxbut less expensive than both. While all eyes were generally focused on the advanced technology of XS models, the iPhone XR has been a popular phone, especially since it combines the two factors that matter most to phone buyers: a lower price and a big screen. (He also has pretty colors!)

Consumers do not like to be confused and the current range of iPhone is confusing. What is the difference between XR and XS?? Which is the "real" iPhone? How do you pronounce XR and XS?

All this can be clarified by calling the successor of the iPhone XR, which is the basic iPhone 11, the basic model of Apple. It's "the new iPhone" and it's the level of clarity that the model deserves. Although it costs a lot more than the basic iPhone models, there is still $ 749 versus $ 999 for the iPhone XS. This is a much better starting price for advertising. That's why Apple is putting the XR so aggressively in front of its marketing today. (Plus, these colors!)

Get ready for two iPhone 11

But if the iPhone XR becomes the iPhone 11 in September, what will happen to the successors of the iPhone XS and XS Max? The stories I've seen indicate that they are collectively called the iPhone 11 Prowhich is a good fit. These are high-end products that are more expensive but whose characteristics and finishes go beyond those of the basic model. Bloombergfor its part, indicates that the Pro models will have three rear cameras (the successor of the iPhone XR would be satisfied with two objectives), better video recording capabilities, the charge in the opposite direction and increased durability .

This is the moment when I must admit that, although smartphones are tools that professionals use daily to do their job, it's a bit funny to put the word "pro" in the name of a smartphone. But "pro" is a label used for years by Apple to designate not only products for business users, but also products for all those who are willing to spend more to get more.

The risk that Apple would take in calling the successors of the XS iPhone 11 Pro is that consumers would misinterpret the message and would think that they are not potential customers of a professional iPhone. It's a bit of a messaging challenge for Apple, but the higher price of these models was already sending that message. And I think people who want the best iPhone will not be deterred by their name.

Size is not everything

If you ask me, one of the worst products that Apple has ever created is iPhone XS Max. The large ultrapremium phone from Apple takes the ridiculous combination of Roman numerals / letters from the entire generation of 2018 phones and, finally, makes the most of it. iPhone 11 Pro Max would be a little less bad, but it's still ridiculous.

MORE: iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro: release date, technical specifications, price

Because the people in charge of naming the new iPhones are likely the same as those who invented "iPhone XS Max", all bets are open. But I hope that Apple will finally do with the iPhone what it did with all its other products with screens of different sizes, namely, give them a name unique and differentiate them simply according to the size of the screen. the 15-inch MacBook Pro is not the MacBook Pro Max. (Apple, do not have any ideas. I'm looking at you.) IPad Pro 12.9 inches I am currently using this is not the iPad Pro Max.

So, why not call the successors of the iPhone XS iPhone 11 Pro? And the iPhone 11 Pro is available in two sizes: 5.8 inches and 6.5 inches. Simple is better. Why confuse things?

An end to the numbers

Finally, let me scream for a moment in a black hole. I can not believe we were probably going on the iPhone 11. For years, I've written that Apple would never allow the iPhone product line to end up with numbered product names ridiculous like iPhone 17, but we are still headed in that direction.

I realize that there are many reasons to associate numbers at the end of phone models, the way operators market phones in their stores until the product versions are traced. But, again, this is an area in which the iPad and the Mac seem to me to indicate a better future. This iPad Pro that I use is not the iPad Pro 3 nor the iPad Pro 3 Max; it's just an iPad Pro. This is the 2018 model, which I can refer to when it's needed, but in regular conversations it's an iPad Pro.

So, Apple … iPhone (2019) and iPhone Pro (2019)? No more numbers? More Roman numerals? I would love that on September 10, an Apple executive comes on the scene and tells us about the new iPhone – and that's how his name was given.

It will not happen, but I can dream. What is the season of peak rumors on the iPhone?