Every year the same thing happens. Most (if not all) smartphone manufacturers announce new models, just like new automobile manufacturers. The technology sites are accustomed to it, and there are very few exceptions. Google has I/O, Apple has WDC, Samsung has Developer Conference, and ASUS has Computex. Each and every year we get a new phone model lineup from all the big players.
Which brings me to my issue. Every year the models get more and more confusing. This first came to light when HTC released the “One”. How do you top that name? “HTC One 2”? “HTC One Next”? Ultimately we received the worst model name in my opinion: “HTC The New One”.
Maybe people just don’t care as much as I do, but I envision a world where smartphone models mimic automobile models. Every year we get a new revision, and whether or not the manufacturer decides to make an entirely new model, the consumer can pretty much assume the 2016 model is generally better than the 2015 model, but still be the same form factor, similar (or same) size, and same price point.
Old style:
Moto X
Moto X (2nd generation)
Moto X Play
New style:
2013 Moto X
2014 Moto X
2015 Moto X
Without having any technology knowledge, if you were shopping for a phone whether new or used, just by looking at the model you would know how old (or new) the phone is. In technology, this matters greatly. Consumers cannot be bothered to know the age of the smartphone just by the model name (can you imaging the Samsung Galaxy S12)?