A few months away from the expected launch of the Apple iPhone 13 - next September if no extraordinary circumstances prevent it - we already have a good sense of what will change in the next lineup of iOS smartphones with up to four models.
Next, we present 5 of the likely aspects susceptible to change, based on the information leaks that have been added up to date on the Internet. We expect more than an "s" iteration as the improvements will be far-reaching.
1. More and better battery life on
iPhone 13
Rumors and leaks are consistent on this point. All four iPhone models will have a serious boost in their autonomy, something that is due to two factors, the increase in battery capacity and the efficiency of screens and processor.
Given the information disclosed on the web, we can have the
following overview:
• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 4 352 mAh vs 3687 mAh on iPhone 12 Pro
Max
• iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max: 3,095 mAh vs 2,815 mAh on
iPhone 12 and 12 Pro
• iPhone 13 mini: 2 406 mAh vs 2 227 mAh on iPhone 12 mini
If such a scenario occurs, we will have a serious boost in
the size and capacity of the batteries included. This starting point would
immediately place the new generation with a large advantage over current
models.
On the other hand, we have a new processor - Apple A15
Bionic - with a lot of optimizations in performance and above all in
consumption and energy efficiency.
Finally, in Pro models it is expected to use LTPO OLED screens . Component that, in addition to the variable refresh rate - up to 120 Hz - considerably reduces energy consumption compared to conventional OLED screens like those we have on the iPhone 12.
In summary, we have a greater battery capacity, a more efficient processor and, for more expensive models, screens that are more measured in terms of energy consumption. The result? An increase in battery life.
2. Better performance
and lower power consumption with the Apple A15 Bionic
The processor is
always the most important component of a new smartphone, be it Android or iOS.
In the Apple universe we will have the new A15 Bionic , also built according to
5 nm lithography .
According to leaks, this new SoC is already being
mass-produced by Taiwanese TSMC. This year, production will have started
earlier to overcome the current shortage of components that is felt in the
market.
Improvements will mainly consist of optimizations of
processing power and, above all, energy consumption. On the extra hand, we do
not have such significant increments as we found in the transition from A13 (at
7 nm) to A14 (at 5 nm).
We will, therefore, have some optimizations and increments
in processing speed, without revolutions in the Cupertino horizon.
3. LTPO AMOLED
screens, but only for Pro models
Apple will be the
last major manufacturer to adopt high refresh rate screens up to 120 Hz for
smartphones.
The most ironic thing is that Apple was the first
manufacturer to adopt high refresh rate screens for tablets, in this case the
second generation iPad Pro, in 2017 (Pro Motion).
This same scenario was replicated in the Apple Watch Series
5 and Series 6, both with Pro Motion screens.
Now, in 2021, we are counting on the arrival of this
component, with the same Pro Motion nomenclature, for the iPhone Pro. This point
is supported by information leaks to date, with Samsung Display being the
manufacturer of the panels for both models.
More specifically, we have LTPO OLED panels for the iPhone
13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The others - iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 should
use conventional OLED screens. That is, with a base refresh rate of 60 Hz.
For the more expensive models, the variable refresh rate
will arrive , between 1 and 120 Hz . This will improve the user experience,
with more fluid animations and also save energy.
4. Best camera system on Apple iPhone
13
Ming-Chi Kuo, the
most famous market analyst attentive to Cupertino's designs, tells us that this
will possibly be the biggest driver of innovation. The photographic rendering
and quality of video capture will motivate Apple to thicken their iPhone.
They will, however, for good reason. The new modules will
have more optical elements - more lenses to make up each objective. This will
result in sharper images as well as less chromatic aberrations. Likewise, the
distortion of the ultra-wide-angle lens will also be reduced from 5 to 6
optical elements.
Also, the maximum aperture of at least one of the lenses
will increase significantly. According to Kuo, we'll go from f/2.4 on the
iPhone 12 to f/1.8 on the iPhone 13 . This will allow more light to reach the
sensor, resulting in photos and videos with less noise and more range of
creation even when light is scarce.
Finally, it is expected that all iPhone models will now be
equipped with the LiDAR system. So far, only Pro models have this module that
helps the phone to focus faster, especially in night scenes.
5. Reduced Notch and Possible Return
of Touch ID to iPhone
Among the
uncertainties that are confused with the users' wishes is the reduction of the
notch . This point has been supported by the release of some photographs of
screensavers with a smaller portion dedicated to the aforementioned element.
Apple is expected to use a new sensor module needed for Face
ID that takes up about half the space . Such an implementation could result in
a considerable reduction of this element already characteristic of the iPhone,
to be maintained.
Finally, we have the return of the Touch ID , now built into
the screen. Bearing in mind that the OLED screens allow for an easy
implementation of this component, there is no greater reason to hinder its
return on the iPhone 13.
On the other hand, there are few information leaks that
point in this direction, even though its execution is relatively simple.