Background: Type 2 diabetes has recently been divided into several subphenotypes, which in the future may enable more effective, pathophysiologically oriented diabetes therapy. Objective: The question arises whether the above-described subphenotypes for diabetes already exist in the prediabetic stage and whether they enable more effective prevention. Materials and methods: Recent studies on the subphenotypes of diabetes and prediabetes are summarized Results: The definition of subphenotypes in type 2 diabetes may enable more precise therapy in the future. Such subphenotypes may also be detectable in prediabetes. Discussion: High- and low-risk groups can be identified at the prediabetes stage. Not only do these individuals have a different risk for developing diabetes, they also have a different pathophysiology, which requires and enables specific preventive measures.