The primary reason there was no "iPhone 2" is that Apple shifted its naming convention based on the phone's key feature rather than a sequential number.
Instead of adhering to a numerical progression, Apple chose to name the second iPhone the "iPhone 3G." This highlighted its most significant improvement over the original iPhone: its compatibility with 3G cellular networks, which offered substantially faster data speeds compared to the original's 2G connectivity. Steve Jobs and potentially others at Apple preferred to emphasize new features over simple numerical iteration. This strategic naming decision likely aimed to underscore the tangible advancements of the new model and make it more appealing to consumers.
The subsequent model, the "iPhone 3GS," followed a similar pattern, with the "S" denoting "Speed" and highlighting its improved processor performance.
In summary, Apple bypassed the "iPhone 2" designation in favor of a naming strategy that directly emphasized the phone's most compelling new feature - 3G connectivity.
