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New leaked video supposedly shows iPhone 8 with working rear Touch ID

Published Aug 22nd, 2017 11:48AM EDT
iPhone 8 Rumors
Image: Gabor Balogh

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At this point, we have a very high level of confidence that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 8 will not include a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. There have been numerous reports from reliable sources stating that this will be the case, and our own sources have mirrored their claims. That’s what makes the new video that leaked on Tuesday morning so perplexing.

The newly leaked video was posted to Chinese microblogging site Weibo, and it supposedly shows a factory worker in China testing the Touch ID scanner on Apple’s new iPhone 8. The scanner on the phones shown in the video is clearly mounted on the back of the handsets, and the equipment shown clearly appears as though it is verifying that Touch ID is working properly.

In the video, the testing station is labeled “Mesa,” which is indeed Apple’s codename for Touch ID. The equipment all appears to be real and functional, and it also appears to be verifying Touch ID functionality when the factory worker places his or her finger on a rear-mounted scanner.

We can also see a vertically oriented dual rear camera on the back of the phone. Some people thought that the video might show the iPhone 7s Plus, but we’re expecting the same old design on that phone, so the rear cameras should be configured just as they are on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any conclusive answers for you regarding this video. In our opinion, there’s no way that this is the iPhone 8. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the iPhone 8 doesn’t have a Touch ID sensor on the back. Is this factory testing knockoffs? Is this an old video that shows someone testing an early iPhone 8 prototype? We have no idea, but you can see the video for yourself below.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.