The official name for the iPhone 8 may have just been revealed
The name of the next iPhone is one of the biggest mysteries in consumer tech right now – but we might finally have an answer.
When Apple launches a new iPhone, it typically follows what’s known as a “tick-tock” naming cycle. In reality, this means we get a phone with a number branding (like iPhone 6) followed by an incremental update that has an -S suffix (like iPhone 6S).
That’s why it was originally thought that the next iPhone would be called the iPhone 7S, following on from last year’s iPhone 7S. However, rumours emerged that there would be three new models: two standard devices, and a third special edition variant to celebrate the 10-year anniversary since the original iPhone went on sale in 2007.
This led many to believe that we’d see the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus, as well as a special edition iPhone 8. But no one was quite sure what the special edition phone would be called, with some suggesting names like iPhone Edition, iPhone Pro, and iPhone X.
Well, the matter may have finally been cleared up, with well-known developer Steve Troughton-Smith seemingly uncovering the official names for the next iPhone models in the official code for iOS 11 – that’s Apple’s latest software version.
Here’s his Twitter post:
According to Troughton-Smith, the two normal handsets will be dubbed iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, while the special edition model will be known as iPhone X. That’s a name we’ve already heard before, and now seems to be the most likely candidate for the official branding of Apple’s new top-tier smartphone.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that this is simply a red herring in the code, and that the official name will be something completely different.
The good news is that Apple is hosting a major product launch event on September 12, so we’ll finally find out the truth shortly. Until then, take all leaks with a pinch of salt.
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