iPhone 9

The iPhone 9 - Apple's missing iPhone.

By MacRumors Staff
iPhone 9

iPhone 9

Apple in 2017 released the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X, skipping over the iPhone 9 entirely. In 2018, Apple released the XS, XS Max, and XR, and in 2019, Apple released the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, with no sign of the iPhone 9.

Apple might revisit the lost name in 2020, using it for the rumored low-cost 4.7-inch iPhone that's expected to be released in the first half of the year.

iphone se and iphone 8

Japanese site Mac Otakara heard from an "informed source" that Apple will be naming its upcoming iPhone the "iPhone 9," though it remains to be seen if that will happen because calling it "iPhone 9" might make it less appealing to consumers when there are already iPhone 11 models available.

If Apple is going to use the iPhone 9 name for its upcoming 4.7-inch iPhone, we do have some details on what to expect. The device is going to feature a design that's similar to the iPhone 8, with a single lens camera, thick bezels, and a Touch ID Home button.

It will be equipped with 3GB RAM and it will use the new A13 chip that's also in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models, which means it's going to be super speedy. It's likely to be available in 64 and 128GB storage options, and rumors suggest it will come in silver, space gray, and red.

Apple plans to sell the low-cost iPhone for $399, which is the same price that Apple sold the iPhone SE for when it was released.

The upcoming low-cost iPhone is expected to be a popular upgrade option for users who currently have an iPhone 6 or 6s and are looking for an affordable upgrade that offers the same feature set.

iPhone 9 Timeline

December2024
Dec 20Apple Begins Discontinuing iPhone SE and iPhone 14 in EU Ahead of USB-C Requirement
Dec 13Report: Apple to Stop Selling iPhone 14 and iPhone SE in EU This Month
Dec 9iPhone SE 4 Said to Feature 48MP Rear Lens, 12MP TrueDepth Camera
Dec 6Apple's 5G Modem Expected to Debut in iPhone SE 4, iPhone 17 Air, and Low-End iPads Next Year
Dec 3iPhone SE Now Over 1,000 Days Old as New Model Edges Closer
November2024
Nov 19iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March
Nov 12iPhone SE 4 Camera Modules to Enter Mass Production Next Month
Nov 1iPhone SE 4 First to Get Apple-Designed 5G Modem, iPhone 17 Pro to Add Custom Wi-Fi 7 Chip
October2024
Oct 23iPhone SE 4 Mass Production Timeframe Revealed as Launch Gets Closer
Oct 21Apple Unlikely to Launch Larger iPhone SE 4 'Plus' Model, Despite Rumor
Oct 14iPhone SE 4 Case Leak Suggests Device May Not Feature Action Button
Oct 3iPhone SE 4 Could Include A18 Chip, All-in-One Apple-Designed 5G Modem With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS
Oct 3Apple Reportedly Begins Sourcing OLED Displays for Next iPhone SE
Oct 1iPhone SE With Apple Intelligence, New iPad Air, and More Reportedly Launching 'Early Next Year'
Oct 1Apple's Next New iPhone to Debut in the Spring: What to Expect
September2024
Sep 5When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 to Launch
Sep 3iPhone SE 4 to Complete Apple's Switch to OLED Across iPhone Lineup
August2024
Aug 13iPhone SE 4 Likely to Feature 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence
July2024
Jul 30Some iPhone SE 4 OLED Panels to Be Supplied by LG Display
Jul 24Kuo: iPhone SE 4 and Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Use Apple's Own 5G Chip