Yep, you read that right. Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 is at the top of my list of the best upcoming phones. Or at least, it was. That’s because I don’t think the next iPhone will be called the 17. In fact, I think Apple’s going to break its (more or less intact) 18-year naming streak to entirely ditch the numbers from the name.

“Why, oh why, dare I make such a daring statement?”, you may ask. At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled its latest software for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Except, instead of calling the next major iPhone update iOS 19 as everyone expected, Apple called in iOS 26. The goal was to get all software versions on the same number, to make things less confusing for users.

Read more: Why Apple skipped iOS 19 and went straight to iOS 26 – the reason makes so much sense

And I think Apple’s about to do the exact same thing for the iPhone 17. Rather than sticking the number 17 at the end, I expect Apple to drop the numbers from the next iPhone line-up. Instead, I think we’ll see the following new models:

iPhone – in place of iPhone 17

iPhone Air – in place of iPhone 17

iPhone Pro (6.3-inch) – in place of iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Pro (6.9-inch) – in place of iPhone 17 Pro Max

That prediction very closely mirrors the naming scheme for both the MacBook and iPad line-ups, with the screen size differentiating between the smaller and larger Pro models. I suspect Apple will do the same thing with the affordable “e” model – but in the spring when the next model releases rather than this September.

It wouldn’t be the first time Apple deviated from its normal naming system, with the tenth-anniversary iPhone X being my prime example. And on the back of the new software naming system, I think it makes perfect sense. Who knows, we may even see the same thing happen with the next Apple Watch models.

Related: Apple iPhone 16: all models compared

Connor Jewiss

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA – with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech - he is always on the lookout for innovative products.

Areas of expertise

Mobile, macOS, EVs, smart home