The iPhone has somewhat of a hybrid release cycle. While Apple releases the primary numbered iPhone every two years (iPhone 4, iPhone 5, iPhone 6), each middle year sees the release of a half step towards a successor smartphone. These half steps are marked by the letter “S” (iPhone 4S, iPhone 5S) and aren’t significant enough of an upgrade to be considered true successors. Amongst other rumors, it appears as though Apple will be abandoning this release model, for this year at least, and will go straight to the iPhone 7 for 2015.