The ‘iPhone 13’
Not surprisingly, we’ve heard more about Apple’s 2021 iPhone lineup already than all the rest of its product plans combined, although many of the rumours are still in the nascent stages, with either very few confirmed details or things that Apple may be prototyping but hasn’t formally decided on yet.
These include more mundane things like Wi-Fi 6E support and a smaller notch design along with an even better camera system and new 120Hz display technology.
Of these, the new display technology seems like the only thing that’s a pretty certain bet right now, since by all reports Apple was trying to get it into the iPhone 12 Pro this year, but had to abandon those plans at the eleventh hour after running into supply issues — a problem that will certainly be solved by next year.
This would almost certainly improve battery life, but could also open the door to an always-on display that would allow the iPhone to at least show the time and other less frequently updated information, and would almost certainly be a bonus for users of Apple’s MagSafe Leather Sleeve. In fact, we suspect the Leather Sleeve, which had the iPhone 12 display the time and other status info through its small window, was likely designed with these low-power LTPO displays in mind.
The “iPhone 13” cameras are almost certain to be improved, but by how much remains to be seen. The most reliable rumours right now point to a significantly upgraded ultra-wide camera while some wilder ones suggest Apple could go with a four-lens system and even push the megapixel counts much higher.