iPhone 4S pops up in packaging snap

With the official launch just days away, a snap purportedly showing the packaging label for the next iPhone has surfaced, suggesting that the much-hyped device will be called the iPhone 4S.

The blurry shot above comes via Cult of Mac, and would suggest that the next iPhone will come with both white and 16GB options, with the official part number MD239F/A. Meanwhile, 9to5Mac reckons the device will come with a dual-core A5 processor.

Could the image above be fake? It wouldn't be a tough Photoshop, though we've already heard whispers that the next iPhone would be a minor upgrade, likely to pack the same basic design as the current iPhone 4, but possibly with a more powerful processor. After such a long wait, we don't mind admitting we'd be a little peeved if that was the case.

Absolutely nothing about the next iPhone is official at this point, so it's best to take everything you read for now with a spoonful of salt. That said, there are two persistent rumours we've been hearing over the last few months.

One is that we'll be looking at a minor upgrade titled the iPhone 4S, and the second is that the new iPhone will be called the iPhone 5, and will feature a tapered back, more powerful camera and a wider display. In short, it'll be a significant step up from the current iPhone 4.

Which is more likely to be true? Well, why not both? It's possible that Apple will announce two new iPhone models on 4 October, though that's never been the company's style before.

Hold tight gang, only a few more days before we know for certain. Be sure to keep your eyes trained to CNET UK -- and to our Facebook page -- on Tuesday night, for all the news as it unfolds.

Image credit: Cult of Mac