What to expect from Apple’s next smartphone

The release of the iPhone 12 is one of Apple’s largest smartphone launches to date, with four different models, 5G and major redesigns, and even includes a novel wireless charging method. So, how can the company succeed with the iPhone 13?

From the early signs, the answer may be simple: check many of the checkboxes that have been left blank in the past few years. There are rumors that the iPhone 13 will be a large-scale upgrade that solves some known shortcomings, and may make it ahead of Android competitors in some areas, or at least a chaser. Based on early rumors and leaks, we hope to see the following from Apple’s new flagship phone, as well as some wish list items that may be in the foreseeable future.

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When will the iPhone 13 be released?

Apple has announced plans to host an online event on Tuesday, September 14th at 1pm Eastern Time (10am Pacific Time). The company is very likely to release the new iPhone 13 during the event. If traditions remain unchanged, iPhone 13 may go on sale in late September or early October.

iPhone 13 may focus on the 120Hz always-on display

Ask many fans what they want the iPhone 13 most, and they may point out an improved display. Although iPhones are usually fast and responsive, their screen refresh rate has always stayed at 60Hz, while similar Android products have switched to 90Hz, 120Hz or even higher. They also don’t have an always-on monitor.Apple may have good reasons to deliver this technology before (high refresh rate and always-on technology often Damage battery life), but with the passage of time, the omissions have become more and more obvious.

Fortunately, it seems that Apple is increasingly likely to solve these problems on at least some models.Analyst Guo Mingchi, The leaker Max WeinbachAnd others quoted sources as saying that the iPhone 13 Pro model will be equipped with a 120Hz display, which is based on the battery-efficient LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) technology in phones such as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The upgrade may also enable an always-on display.

Like some Android devices, the always-on iPhone 13 display will show the clock, battery, and notifications without waking up your device. Although Apple doesn’t seem to try any radical methods, it is still very helpful for identifying important emails or text at a glance.

Goodbye huge gap (and hello port)

The iPhone 13 is not expected to involve a complete external redesign. Kuo and others still believe that there will be four models, including a 5.4-inch iPhone 13 Mini, a 6.1-inch standard model, a 6.1-inch Pro version, and a 6.7-inch Pro Max. They may be slightly thicker and heavier than the iPhone 12, which may be due to the larger battery and camera. However, the flat mechanical appearance of the iPhone 12 series will remain unchanged.

The design may also be eye-catching because it is intact. Despite the rumors, it is reported that Apple is preparing to keep the Lightning port and pass on the portless concept that some people expect in other ways. This is not entirely surprising when wireless charging is still expensive and relatively slow. Even so, if you are worried about having to drag the MagSafe pad to keep your phone alive, this may be a relief.

The smaller gap is the most exciting design change we expect to see. The iPhone 13 series is expected to be Slightly thicker It may hold a larger battery than its predecessor. But the general design language will be roughly the same.leakage Virtual unit And from Case maker Shows that we may get larger camera bumps, but the camera unit is more concave. The dual-camera iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will also be equipped with diagonally placed rear cameras instead of being placed vertically like the previous generation. The camera settings should look the same as the larger iPhone 12.

A large number of leaks and rumors suggest that new ones can be used Matte black Version, this will be darker than the graphite color of the previous iPhone. rumor It is also recommended to provide a lighter rose gold and a new bronze-like “sunset gold”. However, the new color scheme may be reserved for the more expensive iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The camera upgrade of the iPhone 12 series is not particularly democratic. You need to buy at least 12 Pro to get the telephoto lens and LiDAR, and you need to buy 12 Pro Max to get the best sensor and the most advanced stability.

You can also take a look: What iOS does better than Android

iPhone 13 may be another matter. Analysts believe that at least the Pro model will be equipped with an improved ultra-wide-angle camera. They may also get an automatic astrophotography mode. Devoted photographers still have to buy Pro Max for the best quality (the main lens will have a brighter f/1.5 aperture), but better image quality should be the common theme of the entire iPhone 13 series.

However, Guo does not expect 8K video recording and the necessary higher resolution sensors to reach the iPhone 13. This may have to wait until 2022. When 8K screens and content are still scarce, Apple is not in a hurry for success, but this will be something that competitors such as Samsung can hype in the future.

Improve performance across the board

If there is no new chip, this will not be the main release of the iPhone, and the iPhone 13 is no exception. Almost everyone wants Apple to introduce the A15 chip to improve speed and battery life. Not sure how much improvement the A15 is, but compared with similar Android products, the overall speed of the A14 is already faster.

Upgrades may not be limited to raw computing power. Apple currently uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 modem in the iPhone 12 series, and the iPhone 13 series is likely to use this year’s Snapdragon X60. Barclays researchers also predicted support for Wi-Fi 6E, which brings Wi-Fi 6 technology into the faster and lower latency 6GHz frequency band.

Satellite connection in an emergency?

Rumors from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claim that the Snapdragon X60 modem expected to be used in the iPhone 13 will be customized to support satellite phone connections.Follow-up report from Bloomberg Claims that support will be limited to emergencies. If something goes wrong and there is almost no cellular network connection in the area, the phone can connect to the satellite and the user can send a text message to the first responder.

Wish list: USB-C, fingerprint reader and iOS 15

All the new features in the aforementioned rumors may make iPhone 13 a welcome update, but there are some items that are desirable-although we think these wildcards are unlikely to be implemented.

As you have undoubtedly noticed before, you may have to give up hope for the iPhone 13 with USB-C. Apple still seems to intend to keep its nine-year-old Lightning connector. We would love to see Apple adopt USB-C to embrace a true industry-wide standard. We can’t rule it out, but we don’t expect to change the port anytime soon.

You can also take a look: iPhone 12 vs Galaxy S21: Which one should you buy?

self-mumbling Bloomberg with Wall Street Journal It is also suggested that Apple is testing an under-screen fingerprint reader, which can complement the Face ID on the iPhone 13, but we do not have high hopes for this. Testing does not mean guaranteeing the use. Despite the pandemic, Apple has so far devoted its energy to improving Face ID. For example, if you have an Apple Watch, the recent iOS 14.5 update allows Face ID to work with the mask.It’s great if you have Touch ID under the screen as a backup, but the safer bet is Improved face ID system Can work faster or recognize you at a sharper angle.

Then there is iOS. As we all know, Android fans usually make a mile-long list of changes to Apple’s software before considering switching, but we don’t expect iOS 15 and iPhone 13 to solve many of these issues. Bloomberg Sources mostly expect iOS 15 to improve iPhone notifications, iMessage and lock screen. Don’t plan to sideload third-party applications, change all application default settings, or install custom launchers.

However, Apple is full of surprises and deserves to be optimistic. Remember, iOS 14 brings home screen widgets and limited app default changes that many people think will never be implemented. If iOS 15 brings more such changes, even if the hardware is only moderately upgraded, iPhone 13 may also attract more Android fans.