Apple over the past couple of years has greatly diversified its iPhone lineup. So much so, in fact, that we now have a big expensive iPhone and a more compact expensive iPhone in the face of the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, a smaller “mid-tier” iPhone 11, a big “budget” iPhone 8 Plus, and a compact “budget” iPhone 8. But where is the iPhone 9, then?

The iPhone numbering scheme weirdness continues in 2020 with the likely introduction of the iPhone SE2… which will actually launch under the name “iPhone 9,” but is otherwise rumored to channel the defining features of the iPhone SE. That is, its ultra-compact ...