What to expect from Apple’s next phone — leaks, rumors, more

The introduction of the iPhone 12 was one of Apple’s largest smartphone launches to date, with four different models, 5G, and a major redesign that even included a novel approach to wireless charging. How can the company continue this success with the iPhone 13?

From the first signs of this, the answer might be simple: check many of the boxes that were empty in the past few years. Rumor has it that the iPhone 13 will be a sizeable upgrade that fixes some known flaws and it may be ahead of, or at least catching up to, the Android competition in some areas. Here’s what we expect from Apple’s new flagship phones based on early rumors and leaks, as well as some items on the wish list that might be longshots.

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The iPhone 13 can focus on a 120Hz display that is always on

Ask a lot of fans what they want the most from the iPhone 13 and they will likely point to an upgraded display. While iPhones are often fast and responsive, they don’t have screen refresh rates of 60 Hz, while their Android counterparts have switched to 90 Hz, 120 Hz, and beyond. They didn’t always have displays either. Apple may have had good reasons to pass the technology on (high frame rates and frequently available technology) Battery life injured), but the omissions become clearer every day.

Fortunately, it seems increasingly likely that Apple will solve these problems with at least some models. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Leaker Max Weinbach, and others have cited sources that the iPhone 13 Pro models will contain 120 Hz displays based on the battery-efficient LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) technology found in phones such as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra can be found. The upgrade may also allow an always-on display.

As with some Android devices, the iPhone 13’s always-on display shows the clock, battery, and notifications without you having to activate your device. While Apple doesn’t seem to be trying anything radical, it can still be extremely helpful in identifying an important email or piece of text at a glance.

Goodbye huge notch (and hello ports)

The iPhone 13 is not expected to include any radical external redesign. Kuo and others still believe there will be four models, including a 5.4-inch iPhone 13 Mini, a 6.1-inch standard, a 6.1-inch Pro version, and a 6.7 -Inch Pro Max. They may be slightly thicker and heavier than the iPhone 12, possibly due to larger batteries and cameras. However, the flat, machined look of the iPhone 12 series would be retained.

However, there can be one noticeable and arguably welcome change: a smaller notch. MacOtakara, iRepair, and other sources claim Apple is optimizing components to reduce the space required on the front of the phone. It would move the speaker to the edge while reducing the area needed for the front cameras and sensors. There would still be a notch visible (no hole or camera under the display here), but it would free up more screen space and give the iPhone 13 a more modern look.

The design could also be remarkable for what it leaves intact. Despite rumors, Apple is reportedly ready to keep the Lightning port and otherwise pass on the portless concept that some have expected. That’s not entirely surprising when wireless charging remains expensive and relatively slow. Even so, it could be a relief if you worry about having to lug around a MagSafe pad to keep your phone alive.

The iPhone 12 series camera upgrades weren’t particularly democratic. You had to buy at least the 12 Pro to get a telephoto lens and LiDAR, and you had to buy the 12 Pro Max to get both the best sensors and the most advanced stabilization.

See also: 8 things iOS does better than Android

The iPhone 13 may be a different story. Analysts assume that at least the Pro models will receive improved ultra-wide cameras. You may also get an automatic astrophotography mode. Dedicated photographers would still have to buy the Pro Max to get the best quality (the main lens would have a brighter f / 1.5 aperture), but better image quality should be a common theme across the iPhone 13 lineup.

However, Kuo doesn’t expect 8K video recording and the required higher resolution sensor to reach the iPhone 13. That may have to wait until 2022. Apple isn’t exactly in a rush when 8K screens and content are still rare, but this will be something rivals like Samsung can crow about in the future.

More performance across the board

It wouldn’t be a big iPhone launch without new chips, and the iPhone 13 won’t be an exception. Virtually everyone expects Apple to introduce an A15 chip that will improve speed and battery life. It’s not sure how much an improvement to the A15 would mean, but the A14 was already faster overall than its Android counterparts.

The upgrades may not be limited to pure computing power either. Apple currently uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem in the iPhone 12 series, and the iPhone 13 series will likely use this year’s Snapdragon X60. Barclays researchers also predicted support for Wi-Fi 6E, bringing Wi-Fi 6 technology to the faster and lagging 6 GHz band.

The wish list: USB-C, a fingerprint reader and iOS 15

All of these rumors mentioned above could make the iPhone 13 a welcome update, but there are a few points that would be desirable – although we would consider these placeholders that are unlikely to come to pass.

As you’ve no doubt already noticed, you may have to forego any hopes of an iPhone 13 with USB-C. Apple seems intent on keeping its nine-year-old Lightning connector. We’d love to see Apple roll out USB-C to achieve a truly industry-wide standard and we can’t rule that out, but we don’t expect the port to change anytime soon.

See also: iPhone 12 vs Galaxy S21: Which Should You Buy?

Mumbles at Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal I’ve also suggested that Apple test an under-display fingerprint reader that compliments facial recognition on the iPhone 13, but we wouldn’t hope for it either. Testing doesn’t mean usage is guaranteed, and so far, despite the pandemic, Apple has put its energy into improving facial recognition. For example, with the latest iOS 14.5 update, Face ID can work with a mask if you have an Apple Watch. It would be wonderful if you had a Touch ID under the screen as a backup, but a safer bet would be an improved Face ID system that works faster or recognizes you at sharper angles.

And then there is iOS. It’s no secret that Android fans often have a mile-long list of things they would change about Apple’s software before considering switching, but we wouldn’t expect iOS 15 and the iPhone 13 to solve many of these problems. Bloomberg Sources mostly expect iOS 15 to improve iPhone notifications, iMessage, and the lock screen. Don’t plan on sideloading third-party apps, changing all of your apps’ default settings, or installing custom starters.

Apple is full of surprises, however, and it pays to be optimistic. Remember, iOS 14 brought home screen widgets and limited default changes to apps that many thought would never see the light of day. If iOS 15 brings more changes like this, the iPhone 13 could tempt more Android fans, even if the hardware is just a modest upgrade. Hopefully we will learn more at WWDC 2021.