iPhone 13: how will it be? What to expect from the new Apple smartphone

iPhone 13

New year, new iPhone. It has now become a tradition for Apple to release one (often even more) smartphone every twelve months. The launch window scheduled for this 2021 is always autumn, leaving out possible delays due to the global pandemic. At this point of the year, numerous rather insistent rumors have already appeared regarding the possible technical specifications of the new iPhones of 2021. We do not yet know if they will be called iPhone 13, iPhone 12S or with another nomenclature, but we already have several interesting information on the main features. The most reliable analysts in the sector have already widely expressed themselves about it, predicting what will be the news of these iPhones. So what can wea> expect from these new iPhones arriving in 2021? What will the new iPhone 13 (or iPhone 12S?) Look like

Models and displays

First of all we want to clarify the issue of nomenclature. We all know that the number thirteen is not all that loved. Precisely on this proposal many analysts have highlighted their doubts about a possible "iPhone 13". But it is not just a question of superstition, but a broader question also linked to the planned innovations. The iPhones coming this year should not have any substantial changes compared to the iPhone 12, so the addition of the initials "S" might be more appropriate. For convenience and for greater distinction, in this article we will continue to call these 2021 iPhones "iPhone 13".

According to information released in recent weeks, Apple should offer four new iPhone models this year. Just like happened with the iPhone 12 line, there will be the following models with their respective display sizes:

iPhone 13 Mini with 5.4 "OLED display iPhone 13 with 6.1" OLED display iPhone 13 Pro with 6.1 "OLED display iPhone 13 Pro Max with 6.7" OLED display Despite the difficulties encountered with the sales of iPhone 12 Mini, Apple would like to continue to believe in this small model. It will probably try to differentiate it more, especially in terms of price and positioning, to aim for a general increase in interest in this smartphone. In addition, there may be fewer differences between the two "Pro" models compared to those seen with the iPhone 12 to give greater freedom in choosing the top-of-the-range smartphone depending on display size preferences.

Speaking of the screen, Apple will continue to use OLED screens for the entire iPhone 13 line. The main novelty linked to these panels should be the 120 Hz refresh rate. We do not yet know if this technology will be implemented on all models, or exclusively on the "Pro" ones. In addition, the screens of the new iPhone 13 will adopt the LTPO Display (Low Temperature Polysilicone and Oxide) technology, introduced for the first time with the Apple Watch Series 4. Thanks to it it will be possible to significantly save consumption deriving from the screen, thus allowing it to operate at 120 Hz, without being a burden for the autonomy of the device. Likewise, the "always-on" mode could also make its debut, similarly as on the Apple Watch Series 5 and later. We will see if there are traces of this mode with the arrival of the next version of iOS also scheduled for this autumn.

Design, notches and cameras

After the renewal of the design carried out with the iPhone 12, we expect almost identical models this year. With iPhone 13, the thickness of smartphones will perhaps slightly increase to give space to other sensors under the body (did someone say Touch ID?) And probably for a larger battery. When there are no particular innovations in terms of design, Apple tends to bring some new characteristic colors to distinguish the models more than those of the previous year. From this point of view, however, we do not yet have concrete information, which will certainly arrive over the next few months.

The notch is undoubtedly the most criticized part of the latest iPhones in terms of aesthetics and design. This area reserved for the sensors for facial recognition, the audio speaker and the front camera has quite generous dimensions, which cuts out a nice portion of the display. Other competing manufacturers have undoubtedly found better solutions to hide the same components and offer a more minimal design. With the iPhone 13, Apple should finally retouch the notch, repositioning the speaker to decrease its overall size. We do not expect a big change, but at least an improvement to make the front of the smartphone more modern.

The photo department of these iPhone 13s shouldn't get major updates either. However, we will probably see a change in the design of the cameras, which will have a unique protection made with the combination of glass and sapphire. So on the back of the smartphone it will seem that there is a single large lens, rather than two / three separate lenses that we have been used to for some time. However, the technology used by the individual sensors will not change, which will mainly receive a software improvement, nor the general characteristics of the lenses. The iPhone 13 Pro could receive the same camera-related components as its big brother Pro Max. Recall that the iPhone 12 Pro Max is currently the best iPhone in terms of photography, thanks to its unique wideangle sensor of larger size compared to all other models. Similarly, the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 could also receive the LiDAR sensor, currently an exclusive of the Pro models.

Performance, connectivity and Touch ID

Apple has continued to maintain for more than a decade the primacy in the performance of their smartphones. Thanks to the ARM architecture and the parallel development of hardware and software, the company is able to maximize the performance offered by its devices. The iPhone 12 were the first to introduce TSMC 5 nanometer technology, thus reducing consumption for the same power. The new A15 Bionic processor will use essentially the same technology this year, so we don't expect to see major leaps forward in this regard. The current A14 Bionic is already a monster in terms of power, so in all likelihood it is not a priority for Apple to invest too much in this aspect, even if they will certainly want to maintain their leadership.

It has been rumored for years now the arrival of a completely portless iPhone. According to several reliable analysts, 2021 will be the year of the "truly wireless" iPhone, without the Lightning input that has become a standard since the iPhone 5. An improved MagSafe connector will probably be provided to charge the battery of the iPhone 13. wireless induction charging. The transfer of files such as photos and videos to our computer will instead take place via cloud services, or thanks to technologies such as Apple's AirDrop. As for the connectivity to the network, the new iPhone 13 will clearly have the 5G modem, just like all the iPhone 12. The technology and software optimization currently present for connecting to the 5G network is already quite advanced, so not we expect big changes in this field.

Surprise of surprises: Touch ID could be back! This would undoubtedly be a rather unexpected move. After promoting Face ID as a revolutionary and innovative unlocking method, Apple could take a step back and resubmit a new version of Touch ID. The use of masks for the global pandemic has put Apple's facial recognition system in crisis, which had to think of a solution in this 2021. At the same time, the technologies for recognizing our fingerprints have evolved considerably compared to to their latest appearance in the iPhone 8 of 2017. Apple could therefore introduce a Touch ID under the display of the iPhone 13, enabling double recognition (facial and fingerprint) to minimize unlocking times.

Release date and prices

While Apple had a number of difficulties in producing the iPhone 12 last year, this year there should be no problems with the launch in the fall. As usual, we expect the presentation event set for September with the subsequent arrival on the market by the end of the same month. Probably all four models will be launched at the same time, contrary to what happened last year. Like many other features, the prices of the new iPhone 13 will be practically the same as those of the current iPhone 12. However, we expect a change in memory cuts. The following is a hypothetical price list of the iPhone 13 to be taken absolutely with a grain of salt:

iPhone 13 Mini base from 128 GB to 739 € iPhone 13 base from 128 GB to 839 € iPhone 13 Pro base from 256 GB to 1,189 € iPhone 13 Pro Max base from 256 GB to 1,289 € As you can see Apple will probably decrease the prices of the iPhone 13 Mini given the poor sales of the respective model of the iPhone 12 line. Similarly, the iPhone 13 could also receive a slight price drop to further differentiate the offer with the Pro models. The amount of internal memory available for the basic models will also likely change, which will go to 128 GB for the two iPhone 13 and 256 GB for the remaining Pro models.