The 'iPhone 13' is expected to launch in late 2021 and could see some drastic changes that will affect day-to-day use. Apple may do anything from removing the Lightning port in favor of wireless charging to adding yet another camera for improved optical zoom.
● TBA 2021
● 'port-less' model; to drop Lightning connector
● MagSafe for accessories and charging
● May reduce the notch, or remove it altogether
● Touch ID in the display or power button
● 120Hz screen with LTPO
● Potential four-camera array + LiDAR
● Image credit to AppleHub on Instagram
Apple devices are developed over a few years, which means multiple years of devices can be developed in parallel. This leads to leaks about products that can be a year or more away, and those leaks have delivered early info about the 2021 iPhone.
Apple changes its naming scheme on off years at times to include an 'S' year, but for now we will refer to the next iPhone as the 'iPhone 13,' a direct successor to the current iPhone 12.
When it comes to leaks and rumors for still months away, most of the information is derived from supply chain information and patents. Devices this early in development leak from inside Apple only very rarely, but with working from home inducing some difficulty in containing leaks, more information is 'known' about this future device than normal.
Requires purchase and activation of a new iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max with the Verizon Device Payment Program at 0% APR for 24 months, subject to carrier credit qualification, and iPhone availability and limits. Taxes and shipping not included in monthly price. Sales tax may be assessed on full value of new. The problem with this is the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will not be cheap phones. Through stealth cuts, Apple quietly raised the iPhone 12 price to $870 for the same package as the $699 iPhone.
The iPhone 12 returned to flat sides with a new design, which means the 'iPhone 13' will likely not change external design much year-over-year. Apple has had their iPhone lines on a tick-tick-tock refresh cycle for redesigns due to how their supply chain and design cycles work. The longer a design can be reused, the wider the margins Apple can make on their current models.
The 2021 iPhone is expected to have a reduced notch in some aspect. Either it could take up less vertical space or have a smaller width overall, though reducing the notch size will require smaller Face ID sensors.
As with the body design changes, a camera change usually occurs on a longer cycle. The iPhone 12 Pro has a similar three-camera system as the iPhone 11 Pro, but with an additional sensor for LiDAR. This camera design is said to be carried over to the 2021 Pro iPhone lineup as well.
A leaker known as Fudge on Twitter has shared a questionable image saying the 2021 iPhone would have a 4-camera system plus LiDAR. Other leakers are at odds with this image, with Jon Prosser saying it is a 0% chance of being correct and L0vetodream saying it aligns with their leaks.
The same leak said the 2020 iPhone will feature a 64-megapixel shooter with a wide lens and 1x optical zoom (6x digital zoom), 40MP telephoto lens with 3x to 5x optical zoom (15-20x digital zoom), 40MP ultra-wide with 0.25x 'optical reverse zoom,' and a 40MP anamorphic lens sporting a 2.1:1 ratio.
The large jump in megapixels would be highly unusual for Apple, since they have historically avoided changing the megapixel count unless it was absolutely necessary. The most likely change to the camera system will be better zooom, better sensor size, and more powerful LiDAR.
Ming-Chi Kuo says that the ultra wide cameras will be improved in the 2021 iPhone with a f1.8 aperture and 6P lens. The current ultra wide lens is f2.4 and 5P, so the improvements will greatly improve low-light photos.
Some sources say that LiDAR may come to all future iPhone models, rather than being reserved for the Pros. This aligns with Apple's push to make AR experiences better for all users.
The iPhone could gain a Promotion display in 2021 to optimize viewing content, but may necessitate the use of LTPO technology to keep the battery life under control. This rumor comes from a supply chain consultant, and may not be entirely solid.
It is claimed that Apple wants its Pro models to have 120Hz refresh rates, but they must be variable to prevent inadvertent battery drain. This would be accomplished by using LTPO backplanes, which is what the Apple Watch uses to remain always-on by slowing the screen to as little as 1Hz.
The iPad Pro has a 120Hz refresh rate but does not use LTPO, so it is hard to consider the validity of the rumor. Jon Prosser said that the iPhone 12 could have received the technology, but Apple decided to cut it at the last second due to battery life concerns.
A report says that LG has been tapped to produce the needed LTPO displays for the 'iPhone 13' which would go into production mid-2021. A different report suggests Samsung might be the sole provider of LTPO displays for Apple due to their history providing quality displays.
There has been some controversy about Apple and cable standards in the past, and it seems that the 'iPhone 13' will reignite that controversy. Rumors point to the 2021 iPhone dropping the long used lightning connector in favor of a port-less design.
Many have speculated at iPhone moving to USB-C, as the iPad Pro did in 2018, just to have a uniform connector across all Apple devices. Both Jon Prosser and choco_bit believe USB-C will never come to iPhone, with Apple forgoing a port altogether in 2021.
Mockups of the device from the same people who did mockups of the rumored iPhone 12 were shared. Both Prosser and Fudge dismissed the design, which did not align with their own sources.
Apple introduced MagSafe to the iPhone 12 lineup for charging and connecting accessories. It offers 15W charging but no data passthrough. If Apple truely wants to go port-less in the future, it is likely because MagSafe will take over the role of the port.
If MagSafe in the 'iPhone 13' can handle data and charging, then features like CarPlay and syncing to a Mac would still be possible.
The iPhone 12 lineup has 5G in standard and mmWave bands. According to Apple, mmWave is only available in the U.S. on the iPhone, but that could change in future models.
As 5G becomes more ubiquitous Apple will want people who travel to have access to the same speeds they find at home, so a global expansion of 5G support is natural. 5G in ideal conditions can offer up to 3.5Gbps download speeds.
Apple is reportedly working on its own cellular modems, which means future iPhones may drop Qualcomm as a modem provider. This stems from Apple's acquisition of Intel's 5G modem platform and will lead to Apple bringing yet another part of its device in-house.
The fingerprint sensor was replaced with Face ID on the iPhone X, and this caused a shift in the entire smartphone market. Some manufacturers moved to face recognition, while others moved to place the fingerprint sensor below the display.
Iphone 12 Vs Iphone 13
Apple has been rumored almost every year since the iPhone X to be resurrecting Touch ID in the iPhone through some kind of under-screen or power button implementation. The latest rumors point to both being used in some regard in the 2021 iPhones.
There has been some controversy about Apple and cable standards in the past, and it seems that the 'iPhone 13' will reignite that controversy. Rumors point to the 2021 iPhone dropping the long used lightning connector in favor of a port-less design.
Many have speculated at iPhone moving to USB-C, as the iPad Pro did in 2018, just to have a uniform connector across all Apple devices. Both Jon Prosser and choco_bit believe USB-C will never come to iPhone, with Apple forgoing a port altogether in 2021.
Mockups of the device from the same people who did mockups of the rumored iPhone 12 were shared. Both Prosser and Fudge dismissed the design, which did not align with their own sources.
Apple introduced MagSafe to the iPhone 12 lineup for charging and connecting accessories. It offers 15W charging but no data passthrough. If Apple truely wants to go port-less in the future, it is likely because MagSafe will take over the role of the port.
If MagSafe in the 'iPhone 13' can handle data and charging, then features like CarPlay and syncing to a Mac would still be possible.
The iPhone 12 lineup has 5G in standard and mmWave bands. According to Apple, mmWave is only available in the U.S. on the iPhone, but that could change in future models.
As 5G becomes more ubiquitous Apple will want people who travel to have access to the same speeds they find at home, so a global expansion of 5G support is natural. 5G in ideal conditions can offer up to 3.5Gbps download speeds.
Apple is reportedly working on its own cellular modems, which means future iPhones may drop Qualcomm as a modem provider. This stems from Apple's acquisition of Intel's 5G modem platform and will lead to Apple bringing yet another part of its device in-house.
The fingerprint sensor was replaced with Face ID on the iPhone X, and this caused a shift in the entire smartphone market. Some manufacturers moved to face recognition, while others moved to place the fingerprint sensor below the display.
Iphone 12 Vs Iphone 13
Apple has been rumored almost every year since the iPhone X to be resurrecting Touch ID in the iPhone through some kind of under-screen or power button implementation. The latest rumors point to both being used in some regard in the 2021 iPhones.
Apple embedded Touch ID into the iPad Air 4 top button, and some expect they could do the same in a future iPhone. Having both Face ID and Touch ID in a device could open up better security use cases, or allow users wearing a mask to unlock their iPhone easily and securely.
Iphone 12 Vs 13
The 'iPhone 13' could see a major shift in use cases with multiple new technologies pushing the device forward. Fall 2021 is a while away yet, so expect a lot more leaks to detail the new iPhone until its launch.
Will the 'iPhone 13' have a Lightning port, USB-C port, or any port at all?
It is suspected that Apple could update the 2021 iPhone or a future iPhone with no port whatsoever. Apple would use MagSafe for charging and possibly data transfer moving forward. Wireless data transfer is also an option, but not ideal for developers.
Apple has introduced a new form of Touch ID that can fit in the Top button on the iPad Air 4. It is possible Apple will include this alongside Face ID in the next iPhone, especially when considering the wide adoption of mask wearing in today's society.
Apple will announce the 'iPhone 13' in September or October 2021. The pandemic drove the iPhone 12 to be announced and released later than normal, but usual iPhone announcements take place in early to mid September.
The 'iPhone 13' will look like the iPhone 12 in most ways, but could have no charging port and an extra camera on some models. The flat-sided design will stick around and some rumors believe the notch that houses Face ID could get smaller.
