Apple has just launched the 2020
iPhone 12 series and already thoughts have turned
to the 2021 models. The early word on this year’s handsets is that they will resemble last year’s phones and keep the same screen sizes. That means we should see a
5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max. Apple will reportedly stop production of the
iPhone 12 mini because of less than forecast demand. During the first half of January, the mini made up only 5% of iPhone 12 series sales. On the other hand, production of the
iPhone 12 Pro Max is rumored to rise by 11 million units.
While they might look the same compared to the 2020 line, there will be some differences. For example, the Pro models could be equipped with a 120Hz refresh rate that updates the screen 120 times per second resulting in buttery smooth scrolling and enhanced animation. This ProMotion screen is already offered on the
iPad Pro. Using a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) backplane, the refresh rate could vary depending on the content on the screen. Video games, for example, would warrant the use of 120Hz while more static content would run at a slower refresh rate to save on battery life. Using LTPO could also allow Apple to offer an always-on display.
Render of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro with a 6.1-inch screen
and might even bring Astrophotography to these phones; this will allow iPhone 13 users to snap pictures of the night sky. Another feature new to iPhone photographers could be Portrait Mode video allowing users to change the field of depth in post processing. The Ultra-wide cameras across the entire line will be improved, according to the latest rumors, going from a 5-element lens to a 6-element lens.
wireless charging because at least one of the new models (likely the iPhone 13 Pro Max) will be completely portless. The iPhone 13 series will come out of the box with iOS 15 pre-installed.
Render showing the rear of an iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 series will support 5G and should be unveiled this coming September.
