The iPhone 13 is likely to arrive in September 2021 so if you want a new iPhone you won’t have long to wait, just a few short summer months (or winter months if you live on the other side of the Earth).
Of course, there is no official information yet, but the rumours are getting more and more concrete and basically we already know a lot about this year’s iPhone, including what it will look like in terms of features, price and design, and what it will be called: iPhone 13 not 12s.
Unfortunately, it looks like Apple will do without some features that Android competition have offered for a long time. Therefore, here are five reasons why it is worth skipping the iPhone 13:
Touch ID under the display
There were rumours that the Touch ID could make a return to the iPhone 13, not in the form of a physical button like the current iPhone SE 2, but concealed under the display glass. This is a feature already offered by Android phones such as the current Galaxy S21. If you were hoping Touch ID would make a comeback – especially in this era of mask wearing – you are destined for disappointment with the iPhone 13, but the iPhone 14 could feature it if the rumours are correct. Read: iPhone 14 to feature under-screen Touch ID.
This doesn’t mean we won’t also have Face ID. The iPhone 14 will continue to rely on the Face ID, Touch ID will just be an additional unlocking method.
iPhone 14 Max: The cheapest 6.7in iPhone ever
Like the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 13 series is said to include a small version. But by the time the iPhone 14 arrives the mini will be no more. Instead, according to the well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, we will see the following four models from iPhone 14:
- iPhone 14 (6.1 inches)
- iPhone 14 Max (6.7 inches)
- iPhone 14 Pro (6.1 inch)
- iPhone 14 Pro Max (6.7 inches)
As a result of the change the mini is out and a Max of the standard version is in. This is likely to result in falling prices for those who wish to buy a larger handset, with the iPhone 14 Max becoming the cheapest 6.7in iPhone in Apple’s history. Kuo suggests that it will cost less than $900. For comparison: The current 6.7in iPhone 12 Pro Max costs $1,099/£1,099. This change could mean that the smaller iPhone 14 model also sees a price drop, becoming the entry-level model.
Camera improvements: 48 megapixels, periscope, 8K videos
Also according to Kuo, the iPhone 14 is supposed to make a significant leap in camera feature and quality. Thus, at least the two Pro models will possibly be able to record 8K videos (a feature of the Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series).
Apple is expected to finally say goodbye to the 12 megapixel resolution moving up to 48 megapixels for the main camera with a larger image sensor. However, it is possible that the cameras will continue to take 12MP photos by default. Like many Android devices, Apple could use an algorithm that creates a 12MP image with more light information from the 48MP raw data. In that case four pixels become one pixel, which would be significantly larger at 2.5 microns rather than the 1.7 micron pixels of the iPhone 12.
In addition, Apple is to said to be installing a periscope camera for 10x optical zoom for the first time in 2022, with this iPhone users will be able to finally take decent telephotos. A periscope camera can already be found in many Android phones from Huawei, Samsung and Oppo. However, Apple’s patent describes a slightly different technique, which we report in more detail in this article.
For more information read: iPhone 13 camera features coming in 2021.
120 Hertz display for every iPhone 14 model
Apple is particularly behind the competition in terms of the refresh rate of its displays. The competition has now reached 120 Hertz and sometimes even 144 Hertz in the flagship ranges, while the iPhones still offer only 60 Hertz. This is changing with this year’s iPhone generation. However, only the more expensive Pro models in 2021 will offer 120 Hertz, not the smaller standard versions.
On the iPhone 14, however, all four models will probably offer OLED displays with 120 Hertz. This will be possible thanks to Apple managing to bring LG on board as another supplier of LTPO OLED screens in addition to Samsung. Thanks to LTPO technology, it is possible to make the frame rate variable and to retrieve the highest frequency only when it is also required – for example, in games. For example, if you read an ebook, the rate automatically decreases to, for example, 10 Hertz.
By the way: Apple already relies on a pro motion display for the iPad Pro, which increases the refresh rate to 120 Hertz. According to Apple, this function is especially useful if you work with the Apple Pencil.
iPhone 14 and the even smaller Notch
Time and again there is talk of Apple completely removing the notch. And this will certainly happen at some point, but neither with the iPhone 13 nor on the iPhone 14. According to Bloomberg, the notch will be even smaller next year than this year.
For more information, we outline the top features for next three generations of iPhone, as predicted by Kuo.
Verdict
The innovations of the iPhone 13 compared to the current 12 series models are not so huge that you definitely have to upgrade. With the iPhone 14 generation, however, if the predictions are correct, Apple will include the features everyone was hoping for in the iPhone 13.
Of course, we have to bear in mind that the release of the iPhone 14 is still more than a year away and a lot can change during this time.
This article originally appeared on Macwelt. Translation by Karen Haslam.
