'iPhone 13' name pops up in Apple packaging leak

By William Gallagher

A newly leaked image of iPhone packaging appears to confirm that Apple will call its next model the "iPhone 13," despite speculation it would avoid the "unlucky" number.

Purported close up image of "iPhone 13" packaging

During a recent survey, around one in five iPhone users claimed that they were superstitious about the number 13, and didn't want Apple to use it for the next iPhone. Now what appears to be a close-up photo of new packaging shows Apple using the name "iPhone 13."

Following Twitter user DuanRui's posting of a close-up image of an close-up image">Apple Watch band, the same poster has shortly afterwards also shown a new photo of "iPhone 13" packaging.

Perhaps conscious of Apple's cracking down on leakers, DuanRui stresses that he is only relaying an image spotted on Chinese social media site Weibo.

That original posting offers no indication of its source, nor any further details beyond point out the name.

The leak appears to back up previous reports from the supply chain that Apple would use the name "iPhone 13."

Separately, DuanRui has previously posted similarly-sourced images including one of what may be a screen protector for the "iPhone 13." That image appears to back up claims that Apple is reducing the size of the Face ID notch on the new models.

In 2020, the name "iPhone 12 mini" was similarly revealed a few weeks ahead of launch. However, that leak did not come with a packaging image.