iPhone 13 leaks and rumors: Everything about the upcoming 2021 iPhone
All the rumors and leaks about Apple's upcoming 2021 iPhone
Apple’s upcoming iPhone, presumed to be called the iPhone 13, is just mere weeks away from the launch. As I set out to write this story, Apple is yet to send the invites for the fall event.
So, here’s all the buzz, all the leaks, all the latest gossip about the new iPhone 13 so far if the rumors are to be believed. Read on.
According to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 2021 iPhone lineup will look similar to the 2020 iPhone lineup.
With four devices in sizes that include 5.4-inches, 6.1-inches, and 6.7-inches, two of the iPhones being the higher-end “Pro” models and the rest two positioned as the more affordable devices.
How many devices and what will they most likely be called?
There will be 4 devices in all. So most likely, we should be seeing an iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The following predictions are based on leaks and rumors from well-known industry insiders. Here’s what we know so far.
- Design
The 2021 iPhone models are not expected to go through any major design changes overall.
Will there be a redesign?
The design refresh of Apple happens every 4 years. That’s their usual cycle.So, in short, no redesign.
Apple might stick to the same boxier design as was the case with the 2020 iPhone lineup.
How about the phone dimensions?
There won’t be any change to the dimensions either.
However, there could be an increase in thickness of 0.17 mm to accommodate the thicker camera bump.
What about the notch?
Coming to the notch, this might get a little smaller finally. It could get around a 30% reduction in size in terms of width.The height might or might not.
It’s due to the fact the receiver at the top of the display is being moved to the edge. This was noted by several reputed industry insiders including the noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
How about the lightning port?
Also, there were rumors that Apple would remove the lightning port in the upcoming 2021 iPhone lineup as they are inching towards a long time goal of making an iPhone with no external ports or buttons for a clean, streamlined device.
Well, it seems, for now, Apple will continue to use a Lightning connector for the 2021 iPhone lineup.
Will Apple shift to the USB-C?
There won’t be any shift to the USB-C port as Apple thinks the privacy would go for a toss as it is an open standard and less water-resistant as compared to the Lightning port.
2. Screen
There won’t be any changes in the display tech as far as iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are concerned. The OLED panels would be provided by Samsung and LG both.
What about the “Pro” models?
For the “Pro” models, Apple is likely to use a LTPO display technology that would reduce the power usage significantly, thereby improving the battery life.
The LTPO and Always-on display is being currently used on the Apple Watch
3. Touch ID
Unfortunately, the touch ID is not making a comeback with the iPhone 13.
Will it be placed under the screen?
Apple reportedly won’t be offering an in-screen Touch ID on the iPhone 13 as was rumored sometime earlier. The tech is kept for the next iPhone.
Apple also won’t include the side Touch ID under the power button as is the case with the current iPad Pro and iPad Air. It’s Face ID all the way.
We can expect this feature in the next flagship iPhone.
4. Chipset
Undoubtedly, the new chip on the iPhone 13 is going to be the fastest in the world with improved performance and power efficiency.
Will there be a new chip SoC?
With the iPhone 13, Apple will, most likely, be coming up with the new A15 chip. With advanced capabilities and bleeding edge-of-tech, this will also, in all likelihood, be a 5nm fabrication process.
However, it remains to be seen how Apple plays around with the internal architecture and configurations to make breakthrough advancements and in beating its own benchmarks.
5. Pro-Motion
It’s finally happening with 13. As per the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the higher end “Pro” models will have Pro-motion displays that would then enable refresh rates up to 120 Hz, similar to the ones seen on the iPad Pro. This would help in a faster and smoother scrolling experience for the end-user.
Will the “Pro” models get the variable refresh rate?
There is a rumor doing the rounds that the “Pro” models might get variable refresh rates based on the application the user will be using. This would preserve the battery life.
So, the refresh rate would vary from 60Hz to 120Hz. This feature, however, if it comes into play, would be strictly reserved for the “Pro” models only.
Will the non “Pro” models get the 90Hz refresh rate?
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini might get refresh rates up to 90 Hz but the possibility of it is quite unlikely.
So, take it with a pinch of salt.
6. Battery
With a new chipset in place and with a bigger battery, the users will be able to get a longer battery life.
Will there be an increase in battery size?
Yes, with the increased thickness of the iPhone chassis, Apple will now fit a bigger battery for all of its iPhone 13 models. No more battery woes.
The more energy-efficient chip will offset the impact of the high refresh rate always-on displays.
7. Camera
Every single year, Apple strives to make significant breakthrough camera advancements, both in hardware and software.
What’s going to change this year?
Based on rumors, here is what is going to change this year :
- Sensor shift stabilization on the Wide camera of all iPhone 13 models, bringing low light improvements and reduced camera shake. The feature is also rumored to be available for the Ultra-Wide lens on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- Larger camera sensors on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max with larger pixels, allowing the camera to accept more light for a higher-quality image.
- Improved Ultra-Wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, with autofocus instead of a fixed focal length, a six-element lens, and a ƒ/1.8 aperture to let in more light than the current ƒ/2.4 aperture lens, allowing for better performance in low-light conditions.
- Improved Telephoto camera with a ƒ/2.2 aperture on the iPhone 13 Pro, bringing over the improvements and 2.5 times optical zoom that came with the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
- Improved Wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, expected to have a ƒ/1.5 aperture, which is a small increase compared to the ƒ/1.6 aperture on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Apart from these, there could be software enhancements such as video bokeh, ProRes mode, Astrophotography, etc.
8. Colors
If the rumors are to be believed, Apple might add a color or two this fall for the new iPhone 13 series.
What are the probable colors?
For the non “Pro” models, Apple might stick to the current color set. However, for the “Pro” models, a hunk of new bronze and pretty pink seem to be on the cards.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, Apple, in all probability, will introduce the much-hyped, Matte Black option across the entire iPhone 13 range.
9. Price
A report has suggested that prices are going to be higher than that of the iPhone 12 as there is likely to be a surge in the production costs.
Why the price hike?
Apple’s biggest chip supplier TSMC plans to increase the prices for “sub 7nm process technologies’’ by up to 5% and “mature process technologies” by 20%.
So, it's quite likely that Apple will set higher prices for its upcoming iPhone.
10. One last thing
Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo brings the most unusual rumor to this year’s upcoming iPhone lineup.
According to him, the new iPhones will reportedly feature low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication connectivity via custom Qualcomm X60 modems which will allow them to make calls, send texts and get internet service in areas with little or no cellular coverage.
Could this be the game-changing feature? Read my article to know more.
Final thoughts
Well, this is it. The whole probable features list for the 2021 iPhone. Based on all the leaks and rumors.
What do you think? Are the above minor improvements good enough to upgrade from your old iPhone?
Please do let me know in the comments. If you want to refer to my previous blog, here is the link below.
