iPhone

[serbs]

This could go either way but I'm leaning more toward the 4S and this is why. Normally a new model number, such as the iPhone 4 from the iPhone 3GS includes a complete overhaul, including of the body style.

[PG4G]

This suggests that the iPhone 4 was called the "4" just because it was the next model after the "3G" and "3GS minor upgrade". I strongly doubt this, though; it doesn't match the way Apple names things.

Apple chose iPhone 3G rather than the iPhone 2 due to the confusion that would arise. The iPhone 2 with 3G networking? Confuses users. So they called it the iPhone 3G.

Apple came across the second problem in the naming: the third iPhone. Call it the iPhone 3? So you have the iPhone, the iPhone 3G, and then the iPhone 3? Isn't the second iPhone the 3? This stems from the fact that all iPods are named "1st Gen (or 1G), 2nd Gen (or 2G) etc." and then you've got two iPhone 3G's. Apple named it the 3GS because A) there was no good naming for the iPhone 3 and B) because it was exactly the same as the iPhone 3G except the internals.

Apple got to the fourth iPhone. The previous ones had been the 3G and the 3GS. Next design, next number. And it puts Apple back on the naming track. Its the iPhone 4.

Apple's naming conventions were skewed by the naming of the networking technologies they were expected by public demand to add to the device. They've been able to bring it on track by the time of the 4. Now they go back to the G/GS problems they have? It was horrible enough of a name the first time it came out.

"Normally a new model number, such as the iPhone 4 from the iPhone 3GS includes a complete overhaul, including of the body style." - normally suggests there is a pattern of behaviour, but one example isn't a pattern, and the fact they didn't use iPhone 4G - instead used the iPhone 4, suggests they're not going down that road.

[Justinathomas]

to date there has been no 'trend' regarding Apple's iphone designs or 'major' or 'minor' revisions; what Apple introduces with the next iPhone, there may be sufficient evidence to call it a trend. Moreover, I do not think that Apple will anymore release a new flagship iPhone with essentially the same guts as the previous generation.

to date:
iPhone 3G = new design/minor revision
iPhone 3GS=same design/major revision
iPhone 4= new design/major revision

To Apple's credit, it really is anyone's guess whether Apple will release a new design, or even what its name will be (well, unless you're one of the few Apple employees in on iPhone development)

[PG4G]

I agree there is no trend with iPhones, however the generation naming of all iPods, and the naming starting with the iPad / iPad 2 leans to the idea that they like simple numbering - 3G networking maybe just stuffed it up.

That's all I'm saying.