Apple's iPhone Naming Scheme Could Lead to Confusion
With the introduction of the iPhone 4, Apple changed the naming scheme for its popular smartphone yet again, possibly leaving some eager consumers confused about what kind of device they'll actually be getting.
To be clear, iPhone 4 refers to the fourth-generation iPhone to be released since the first model in 2007. It does not refer to the fast "4G" data network.
Apple's first smartphone was known simply as the iPhone. It was followed in 2008 by the iPhone 3G, with "3G" referring to the phone's ability to work on 3G networks (the previous iPhone could only get online on slower, EDGE networks).
In 2009, Apple announced the iPhone 3GS, which was virtually identical to the iPhone 3G, with the main distinction being a faster processor (the "S" stood for speed). [Read "11 iPhone 4 Features You Need to Know About ."]
Because of Apple's previous naming scheme, consumers unfamiliar with the iPhone might assume the 4 in the new iPhone's name refers to the faster 4G network currently available from a few carriers such as Sprint.
That's not the case: Like the 3G and 3GS models, the iPhone 4 can only get online using Wi-Fi and 3G networks.
