Next iPhone shaping up
What can we expect to see in the next–gen iPhone
WITH iPHONE 12 a resounding sales success (see below), speculation is turning to what comes next. Sources say Apple plans a return to its accustomed annual update cycle, so we can anticipate the iPhone 13 (or possibly iPhone 12S) in September.
The overall design is expected to be very similar to the popular iPhone 12, but reportedly the case will have a more “grippy” texture on the back and maybe a slightly thicker body. Rumors persist that Apple plans to reduce the size of the notch on the front, but sources disagree on how — some say the notch will be the same width but less tall, others speculate there will be a wider bezel.
It is said that Pro models will introduce 120Hz ProMotion displays using Samsung’s impressive LTPO OLED technology. This is the same type of display used on Apple Watch, primarily because it draws less power than other technologies, enabling an always–on display. An always–on display is rumored for iPhone 13 — displaying the clock and battery level with minimal customizability — but who needs this on a phone? All current iPhone models have 60Hz screens, but the iPad Pro with ProMotion technology does have a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz (automatically adjusted to match the movement of the content displayed, so certainly much lower most of the time). Some forecast a refresh rate of up to 240Hz, which no phone has yet attained, but this is speculation based on a recent patent so is probably some distance away.
What is likely is increased storage up to 1TB, plus next–gen 5G tech and the “disruptive” new Wi–Fi 6E standard for improved connectivity. There is also talk of the return of Touch ID alongside Face ID, partly because of the problems caused by wearing masks. Various in–display technologies are reportedly being tested, with the most likely being optical fingerprint scanning, although a standard fingerprint sensor is said to be built into the side of a rumored iPhone SE Plus.
The ultra–wide camera is in line for a “massive upgrade” with a new sensor and a new f/1.8 aperture lens (compared to the present f/2.8), meaning even better low–light performance. The wide–angle camera is said to be getting a larger Sony CMOS sensor. Most exciting is a new portrait video mode, with the ability to adjust depth of field (background blur) after capture.
Sources claim there’s a 30% chance of LiDAR throughout the line, not just in the top models, and a 70% chance iPhone 13 will have no physical ports at all but connect as well as charge exclusively wirelessly.