Could we see four new iPhones released next year? According to Japanese blog Mac Otakara, it's a strong possibility. In addition to the iPhone 8, there may be a 5-inch model that sits alongside the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus.
The report, which cites an unnamed Taiwanese supplier, claims that this new iPhone iteration will be an extension of the "s" range. Its specifications will be identical to the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch s models, but the dual-camera setup will reportedly be aligned vertically rather than using a iPhone 7 Plus-style horizontal alignment. It's unclear if this design change will also be present in the iPhone 7s Plus.
The report added that the plans could change before suppliers receive the final plans in early 2017. Nikkei Asian Review claimed that there would be a 5-inch iPhone back in October. It also said that the entire lineup would move to all-glass backs to support wireless charging.
The news comes less than one week after a pair of purported manufacturing documents from Apple's East Asia supply chain seemingly confirmed there would be three iPhones released next year. They show that the standard "s" versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be joined by a high-end flagship device, possibly called the iPhone 8, which goes by the internal codename of "Ferrari."
Like all rumors, there's no guarantee this one will prove accurate. Mac Okatara was the first to report that Apple would remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, but the publication has got things wrong in the past.