The change in numbering for last year’s models compared to previous iterations of the iPhone, resulting in the skipping of the “iPhone 7s” name in favor of the iPhone 8 and the introduction of the iPhone X, may lead to “potentially simpler branding” for the popular smartphones, Cihra writes in an investor note received by AppleInsider.
“We think Apple may use this upcoming cycle to formally change its iPhone naming/branding pattern,” according to the analyst, with the “mid-market LCD-based iPhone” simply called “iPhone” without any numbering. The high-end iPhone for the generation will apparently keep the “X” suffix to denote its increased specifications.