iPhone 13: everything we know about future Apple smartphones – 01net.com

After a year 2020 disrupted by the Covid-19 crisis, Apple is returning to its usual schedule. His conference California Streaming will take place on September 14 at 7 p.m.. Those who are nicknamed, perhaps wrongly, are expected there iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

For several months, not to say several years, rumors have continued to multiply and contradict each other on this 2021-2022 generation of iPhone. While waiting for the official announcement, 01net.com invites you to take stock of everything that has leaked. We only selected credible rumors, so as not to be disappointed.

2021, an S year?

If several generally well-informed sources believe that future Apple smartphones will be called “iPhone 13”, the doubt still exists. First because this number is unlucky in many markets (even if there are counter-examples, like iOS 13), second because we should probably be in what is nicknamed “an S year”. As with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6S, or iPhone XS, Apple should just improve on last year’s recipe without changing ingredients. The proof, we would remain on the same four formats as in 2020 with a smartphone from 5.4 inch (despite the relative success of the 12 mini), two of 6.1 inch and an XXL model of 6.7 inch, always with flat edges and a glass back.

Should we expect iPhone 12S or iPhone 13? No one will know until the official announcement, although leaks may reveal the names of future Apple smartphones by then (it has happened in the past).

A smaller notch

Strangely, many rumors agree on a very small design change with the iPhone 13: the notch. Since 2017, all iPhones have hidden their front camera and facial recognition system in an imposing rectangular block at the top of the screen. Instead of making it disappear, Apple would shrink it. The speaker grille should swing over the top of the notch, reducing its width. Face ID would still be present.

If you were hoping for Touch ID to return, fingerprint unlock should not be one of the novelties of the iPhone 13.

A 120 Hz screen… but only for the 13 Pro?

Today, Apple is one of the only manufacturers on the market to limit its high-end smartphones to a refresh rate of 60 Hz. However, the iPad Pro have the right to 120 Hz for a long time, Apple even calls this technology “ProMotion. “.

With its iPhone 13, Apple should finally get up to speed. LTPO slabs with a rate of adaptive cooling up to 120 Hz should be delivered to it, which would finally allow iPhone screens to enjoy optimal fluidity. Unfortunately, this novelty would be reserved for the top of the range. Only the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max would be entitled to it. We should stay on LTPS 60Hz panels on the iPhone 13 and 13 mini. Also expect a brightness gain. Samsung Display, Apple’s supplier, has made significant progress since last year.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 13 equipped with an LTPO panel will have a mode “Always on Display”, like recent Apple Watch. The time and notifications could be displayed on the screen even when the phone is on standby.

Improvements to be expected in the photo

Without major revolution (forget the giant 50/108 Mpix sensors or the periscope zoom for the moment), Apple should improve the camera modules of its iPhone 13. We are talking about a larger ultra-wide angle sensor on Pro models, a improved night mode dedicated to astrophotography and the introduction of a video portrait mode, to blur a background in real time.

On the design side, the camera module of the Pro models should be more imposing (do not expect to keep your current shell). The iPhone 13 would be entitled to a slight aesthetic change, with a vertical positioning of the sensors.

New chip, Lightning, 5G and 1TB?

Barring an accident, the iPhone 13 will be more powerful than the iPhone 12. After the A14 Bionic chip, Apple should logically switch toA15 (unless he surprises everyone by using the M1 chip on Macs and iPads, but that seems unlikely to us). Still engraved in 5 nanometers, Apple’s new SoC should be an evolution rather than a major breakthrough. The Lightning port would still be there for charging, in addition to MagSafe wireless charging (we are talking about a MagSafe 2.0, with stronger magnets and greater power). The iPhone still wouldn’t adopt USB Type-C.

However, some rumors suggest that all iPhone 13s will be compatible with the 5G millimeter. Last year, only the iPhone 12 sold in the United States carried an mmWave antenna.

Another rumor, Apple could offer a version with 1TB of storage iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. We were limited to 512 GB of storage in previous years. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also talks about higher capacity batteries.

A satellite iPhone

It’s a recent rumor that the iPhone 13s could be the first capable Apple smartphones to make satellite calls. However, do not expect to bypass your carrier. These satellite calls could be activated in a future update and, above all, would be reserved for emergency situations. For example, they would make it possible to contact the emergency services in the event of a crash in an area without a network or to send a message to a loved one and to the emergency services in the event of a serious situation. It is not sure that Apple is talking about it during its conference.

What prices, when?

Will the iPhone 13 be more expensive? This possibility is mentioned by some analysts who blame the shortage of components. We should, however, remain in prices similar to those of last year. As a reminder, the iPhone 12 mini costs 809 euros while the iPhone 12 Pro Max goes up to 1259 euros.

If we are based on Apple’s habits, with a keynote set for September 14, the new iPhones should be marketed on Friday September 24. The new colors chosen by Apple are currently unknown.