So, you're looking for the iPhone 9. You've probably checked every tech site or maybe you're just confused why your old iPhone 8 was followed by the X. It’s a valid question. Honestly, it’s one of those weird tech mysteries that isn't actually a mystery once you look at Apple's marketing playbook.
The short answer? The iPhone 9 never came out. Not officially.
It’s like that missing 13th floor in some hotels. One minute we're counting normally, and the next, Apple decides to jump the track entirely. In 2017, the world expected the natural progression from the iPhone 7 to be, well, the 8 and the 9. Instead, Tim Cook stood on stage and gave us the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X.
The 10th Anniversary Problem
Why did Apple skip the number 9? It basically comes down to a birthday party. 2017 marked exactly ten years since Steve Jobs first pulled the original iPhone out of his pocket in 2007. Apple wanted to celebrate. They didn't want to launch a "9" when they could launch a "10" to match the decade milestone.
"X" is the Roman numeral for ten. If they had called it the iPhone 9, it would have felt like just another year. By calling it the X (pronounced "ten," though half the world still says "ex"), they signaled a massive shift. This was the phone that killed the home button and gave us Face ID. It was the "future," and the number 9 just sounded too much like the "past."
Wait, Wasn't the iPhone SE (2020) Basically the iPhone 9?
If you're a spec nerd, you know that the iPhone 9 kind of exists in spirit.
Think about the second-generation iPhone SE released in April 2020. Before it launched, the rumor mill was absolutely convinced it would be called the iPhone 9. It made sense! It used the exact same body as the iPhone 8, but it had the brains of the iPhone 11.
- Design: Home button, big bezels, 4.7-inch screen.
- Internals: A13 Bionic chip.
- Purpose: A cheaper entry point for people who hated the notch.
Apple eventually chose "SE" because it's a cleaner brand for their "budget" line. Labeling a phone "9" in 2020, when the iPhone 11 was already out, would have made the phone look three years old the day it hit shelves. Nobody wants to buy a "9" when their neighbor has a "12." Marketing is a fickle beast.
The Windows 9 Connection
Interestingly, Apple wasn't the only one to do this. Microsoft did the exact same thing. They went from Windows 8.1 straight to Windows 10.
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There's an old theory that "9" is unlucky in some cultures, or that code-wise, programs might mistake "Windows 9" for "Windows 95." For Apple, it was much simpler than that. It was about prestige. The iPhone X was a $999 flagship. The iPhone 8 was the "boring" reliable option. A "9" would have sat awkwardly in the middle, confusing a lineup that was already getting a bit crowded.
What You Should Know If You're Looking for One
If you are currently searching for an iPhone 9 to buy, you're going to find a lot of scams or refurbished iPhone 8s mislabeled. Don't fall for it.
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If you want the "iPhone 9 experience"—meaning the classic home button design but with modern speed—the iPhone SE (2020) or the iPhone SE (2022) are your actual targets. The 2022 model even has 5G, which the mythical iPhone 9 definitely wouldn't have had.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Stop searching for "iPhone 9" on marketplaces. You will likely end up with a knockoff or a different model entirely.
- Look for the iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd Gen). These are the true spiritual successors to the iPhone 8 and carry the hardware you’re likely looking for.
- Check your iOS compatibility. If you're holding onto an iPhone 8 waiting for a "9," keep in mind that the 8 no longer supports the latest iOS updates. It’s time to look at the SE or the newer numbered series.
Apple’s naming conventions are a mess, but at least now you know why your collection has a hole in it.