Give me a Pixel 10 Vortex

When Google launched the newest Pixel collection final 12 months, there was a murmur of pleasure across the smartphones’ names. Google had revived the XL moniker for the Pixel 9 Professional XL, a suffix not seen for the reason that Pixel 4 lineup. The very fact this brought about even a minor stir tells you numerous concerning the state of the iOS and Android telephone business.

Cellphone naming conventions in recent times are tedious, and it bothers me. Max, Plus, Professional, and Extremely have been so overused that they’re all however meaningless — in the event that they ever provided a lot which means within the first place.

There’s little level in complaining. Massive manufacturers know in addition to I do how uninteresting and repetitive the names are, however you’ll be able to make certain that market analysis is behind the continuity in gadget names. Folks know the rating if the upcoming smartphone has the identical collection of names because the final one. They already know what the following Samsung or Apple telephones will probably be known as, and so they’re secure in that information — properly, other than that Galaxy S25 Edge curveball. The producers are welcome to benefit from this and maybe maximize income, however I’ll nonetheless see them as boring and uninspired.

Smartphone names would possibly appear to be a small factor to get irked about, however they trouble me as a result of they optimize the business total. The refusal to take a threat with extra attention-grabbing names displays an absence of creativeness or a worry of being daring out there, and you’ll see it in virtually each facet of recent flagships.

This gained’t have escaped your discover. Except for foldables, the design of most flagship smartphones is depressingly related. It may be optimum to be used, however I can’t assist however suppose that promoting the next-gen smartphone to followers might be simpler if it doesn’t look similar to its predecessor.

The identical goes for options. The place are the IR blasters, modular equipment, or pop-up cameras? What about new and revolutionary options? We all know the place all this stuff are; they’re on the design room flooring, having been rejected in favor of constructing the following handset half a millimeter thinner, identical to its counterparts.

You’ll discover the identical nod to conformity in each component of flagship telephones. The manufacturers don’t even exhibit rather more variation within the colour division — The Samsung Galaxy S25 colours are tediously related — however at the very least the names of the colours are comparatively attention-grabbing typically. Colours like Sage, Onyx, and Sapphire would make higher names for the precise gadgets than the identical outdated labels.

Whereas humdrum naming conventions appear to be on the rise, there may be some resistance to the pattern. Some telephones nonetheless have marginally extra attention-grabbing monikers, particularly whenever you look previous Samsung, Apple, and Google. The OnePlus Nord breaks the mildew barely, and Motorola has extra selection, if not creativeness, with the G Play, G Energy, G Stylus, and so forth. A few of the Chinese language manufacturers are additionally a bit extra bold, with names just like the realme GT Neo and the Nubia REDMAGIC.

Even the most important gamers have dabbled with naming pleasure prior to now. Samsung has had the Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Alpha, and the Samsung Omnia. Google took a threat with the Nexus. Apple hasn’t even strayed that removed from conference, however at the very least the iPhone 17 Air will probably be a bit of totally different if it seems later this 12 months.

We additionally know that humdrum and repetitive names aren’t needed for fulfillment within the tech world. As an example, Garmin is without doubt one of the largest gamers within the smartwatch business. Its wearable names embrace Quantix, Fenix, Forerunner, and Intuition. Cellphone makers ought to take notice.

Overlook Max and Extremely — these are names value utilizing

For any multi-national smartphone producers nonetheless studying, I’m more than pleased to supply my very own identify strategies on your subsequent era of handsets. And I’m doing it freed from cost — no advertising funds wanted, simply decide one from the record.

I would like names that sound cool and evoke emotions of pace or energy. It’s additionally helpful if a collection of names hints at which telephones have greater or decrease specs, too, as having the ability to determine this can be a part of the explanation Apple goes with Professional Max and Samsung goes with Extremely every year. We’ll additionally need to keep away from sure phrases — a Google Pixel Earthquake or OnePlus Twister might be problematic if a pure catastrophe happens.

In Greek mythology, Helios was the titan of the solar, using his blazing chariot throughout the sky every day. He’s a pure place to begin for an entry-level gadget — highly effective however not fairly a god. Apollo takes issues additional, embodying gentle, information, and artistry. However on the peak stands Zeus, the undisputed ruler of Olympus, commanding thunder and dominion over gods and mortals alike. All of those can be nice for Apple’s delight and goals of grandeur — and for its followers’ shallowness.

OnePlus 14 Chimera, Griffin, Phoenix

Legendary beasts can be excellent telephone names for OnePlus, implying a way of energy and cutting-edge tech. The Chimera was a wild fusion of creatures — a lion, a snake, and a goat — symbolizing unpredictability and uncooked potential. The Griffin, half lion and half eagle, was a noble guardian, combining power and knowledge. The Phoenix is a legendary chook that bursts into flames solely to be reborn and extra highly effective. LG even used this identify for a telephone vary a couple of years in the past.

Samsung Galaxy 26 Meteor, Comet, Supernova

Celestial forces make a lot sense for Samsung’s Galaxy line. A Meteor is a swift and fleeting streak of fireside throughout the sky. The Comet is extra enduring, returning on predictable cycles (like a telephone) and burning brighter with every go. After which there’s the Supernova, a cosmic explosion of unimaginable energy that leaves an enduring influence on the universe.

Taking a look at a telephone’s growth as a journey, it begins with an Origin base mannequin from which all the things grows. Evolution is the method of refining, strengthening, and adapting; then comes the Apex, which is the height and the end result of all progress. I like these names for the Pixel household, particularly now that it’s reaching its 10-year anniversary.

And if the rumors are true and your entire Pixel household is switching to an in-house chip, then possibly Vortex is the precise identify, pointing to a strong and transformative course of in Google’s line-up.

Motorola Spark, Pulse, Surge (2025)

This could be a reasonably bare try and challenge the move of energy, which sits properly with Motorola’s motto. A spark is a flicker of power and the primary second of ignition, which might make sense for an entry-level gadget. The Pulse follows, carrying that power ahead. Then comes the Surge of unstoppable energy from the premium flagship.

Xiaomi Wink, Kiss, Pleasure 

If that’s all a bit intellectual, Xiami might faucet into widespread tradition with smartphone names derived from three of the commonest emojis. The entry-level wink teases the potential of the lineup, and the Kiss is one thing everybody likes to obtain. The Pleasure — derived from the face with tears of pleasure emoji —  displays most happiness for the top-tier gadget.

In case you have any distinctive telephone naming strategies of your personal, regardless of how whacky, be at liberty to go away them within the feedback beneath.