Rumor: Supposed 'iPhone 8' box label shows up online, seemingly confirms branding

A highly suspicious photo found circulating on Chinese microblogging site Weibo this week purportedly shows a box label for an unreleased "iPhone 8" model, suggesting the name will be used for at least one Apple smartphone expected to debut next week.

A closer look at today's supposed label leak — ironically uploaded from a Samsung Galaxy S8 — reveals the purport tag belongs to an 64GB "iPhone 8" in Space Gray. The label also contains other details normally found on Apple product packaging, like a manufacturer order number, "MQ6G2AE/A," and device model designation.

Of note, the "A1905" model mark seemingly corresponds to Apple's current iPhone numbering scheme. Last year's iPhone 7, for example, carried model numbers A1660 and A1778 for Verizon and AT&T versions, respectively. The larger iPhone 7 Plus carried respective model numbers A1661 and A1784.

Apple first breached the 1700 mark with iPhone 6s, specifically a model sold on China Mobile's network. Considering the company assigns model numbers in a fairly consistent and sequential manner, the A1905 specification could denote a double jump of sorts, in line with current "iPhone 8" speculation.

Apple is widely rumored to unveil a trio of smartphones at a special media event on Sept. 12, including a new flagship "iPhone 8" handset with a fresh design, full-face OLED screen, facial recognition technology and other exotic features. A separate pair of devices, dubbed "iPhone 7s," is anticipated to iterate on current iPhone 7 series hardware.

Recent reports bring final branding into question, however. Some claim Apple plans to extend the "iPhone 8" moniker to the iPhone 7 revamp, skipping the "s" designation traditionally used to denote tick-tock component upgrades. In such a scenario, the high-end OLED handset would be called "iPhone X" or "iPhone 8 Edition," rumors say.

If the label is legitimate, it could be the first tangible evidence that Apple will brand the refreshed iPhone 7 series as "iPhone 7s," leaving "iPhone 8" reserved for the rumored OLED model.

All will be revealed at Apple's special media event next week. Alongside iPhone, new Apple Watch and Apple TV hardware are also expected for unveiling.

AppleInsider will be covering the event live from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park on Tuesday starting at 10 a.m. Pacific.