Why wasn’t there a Windows 9 or an iPhone 9? Is there a secret reason behind this choice, or was it just a coincidence? We dive deep into the speculation and theories around why tech giants always seem to skip the number 9 and jump straight to 10.
Why There Was No Windows 9
Some older applications designed for legacy Windows systems were programmed to check if the Windows version string started with “Windows 9”, in order to identify themselves as compatible with Windows 95 or Windows 98. A new operating system named Windows 9 could have confused these apps into thinking they were running on much older software, potentially causing serious compatibility issues.
Another reason Microsoft may have avoided the number 9 is branding. With Windows 10, the company wanted to signal a completely fresh start—a leap forward that broke away from the past. It was a chance to highlight the revolutionary nature of the new OS and reshape the public’s perception with a more compelling brand identity.
Apple’s Game-Changing Leap to iPhone X
Apple made a bold move in 2017 by skipping the iPhone 9 and jumping straight to the iPhone X. The decision was symbolic—the “X” marked the 10th anniversary of the iPhone lineup, and Apple leveraged this in its marketing campaigns to highlight the milestone.
By bypassing the iPhone 9, Apple emphasized that the iPhone X was not just another update—it was a radical redesign. The iPhone X introduced a number of groundbreaking features, including a bezel-less OLED display and Face ID facial recognition.
This new design allowed Apple to break from the past, repositioning the iPhone as a forward-thinking device packed with innovation. It helped the brand showcase the technological leap it had made, rather than delivering just another iterative upgrade.
Two of the biggest tech manufacturers skipped the number 9, which led to the question: Is the number 9 unlucky for tech giants?
It isn’t so. It was an isolated occurrence that both manufacturers happened to skip the number 9 while launching new products. The number 9 holds no negative connotations for tech companies.
