If you’ve ever wondered why Apple skipped the iPhone 9 and jumped straight from iPhone 8 → iPhone X, you’re not alone. This question has confused millions of users.
Here’s the simple, clear explanation — the version people love, and Google likes too.
⭐ Short Answer:
Apple skipped the iPhone 9 mainly because:
- The iPhone X (pronounced “Ten”) was a huge 10-year anniversary product.
- Apple wanted to show a big leap in design and technology.
- The number “9” felt too small for such a big upgrade.
Now let’s explain this properly.
🔍 1. The iPhone X Was Meant to Celebrate 10 Years
“X” means 10 (Roman numeral).
The iPhone X was released to mark:
- 10 years of the iPhone
- A new generation of design
- A major shift in Apple’s technology
Calling it “iPhone 9” would not match the importance of the anniversary.
🔍 2. Apple Introduced a Completely New Design
The iPhone X introduced:
- Edge-to-edge display
- Face ID
- No home button
- OLED screen
- New gestures
- New camera system
This was such a radical change that the number 9 didn’t feel “big enough.”
Apple wanted to say:
👉 “This is a new era — not just an upgraded iPhone.”
🔍 3. Marketing Strategy: Skip the Small Step, Show the Big Jump
Apple is very clever with branding.
Jumping from 8 → X (10) created a feeling of:
- Major evolution
- Future technology
- Premium innovation
- A whole new beginning
If they released iPhone 9 and then iPhone X, the X would have looked like “just another step.”
Skipping 9 made the X look revolutionary.
🔍 4. Avoiding Confusion With Windows 9 (Interesting but minor reason)
Microsoft also skipped Windows 9 and went to Windows 10.
Brands sometimes avoid the number 9 to:
- Prevent name confusion
- Avoid compatibility issues
- Keep branding cleaner
Not the main reason, but interesting.
🔍 5. Apple Already Had 8 and 8 Plus — 9 Would Feel Repetitive
2017 lineup already had:
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
If Apple launched an iPhone 9, people would think:
“What’s the difference between 8 Plus and 9?”
or
“Is 9 better than 8 but worse than X?”
Skipping 9 simply made the lineup easier to understand.
🟢 Final Answer (Easy to Remember):
Apple didn’t make an iPhone 9 because:
