It feels like Apple has just released the iPhone 12 series, led by the extremely impressive iPhone 12 Pro Max, but the rumor mill for the sequel is already turning. While we gathered everything we know in one place, we thought we would see how the rumors match what we now have with the iPhone 12.
It goes without saying that purchasing one of the iPhone 12 models at the moment is a good decision if you need a new phone. You get the best that Apple has to offer, including 5G support.
Although we’re out a few months – we expect an announcement mid-September – that does not mean we can not get excited about the next new iPhone. As more information comes to light, we have a better idea of how the iPhone 13 shapes compared to its predecessor.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12: Price and Release Date
For the iPhone 13, we expect that there will be four models: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. We base this on what Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier last year (via MacRumors). Given the poor sales of the iPhone 12 mini, it would not surprise us to see Apple cancel its plans for the iPhone 13 mini. We certainly do not hope, as the iPhone 12 mini is currently the best small phone.
As for the price, current rumors indicate that the iPhone 13 will be a recurring upgrade from the iPhone 12, so we do not expect the price structure to be too far from what the 12 series currently holds. This would mean that the iPhone 13 mini would start at $ 699 (64 GB), iPhone 13 at $ 799 (64 GB), iPhone 13 Pro at $ 999 (128 GB) and iPhone 13 Pro Max at $ 1,099 (128 GB) .
If Apple increases the base storage on the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13, we can see a slight increase in the starting prices of those phones, maybe $ 749 and $ 849. However, that is just speculation. There is also a possibility that there will be a ridiculous 1TB storage option for the Pro models.
iPhone 13 versus iPhone 12: screen
For the iPhone 12 series, Apple has introduced OLED screens for all four models. OLED offers, among other things, vibrant colors and true blacks, and it was definitely a welcome upgrade. Even though we really like the displays in the 12 Series, Apple still has some room to grow for its Super Retina XDR OLED panels.
Compared to the Galaxy S21 series, with excellent Super Dynamic AMOLED screens, the iPhone 12 screens have a high refresh rate and Always On Display (AOD). The iPhone 12 models are all locked at 60 frames per second (FPS), or 60Hz, but rumor has it that the iPhone 13 Pro series will have a 120Hz refresh rate, which will deliver 120 FPS and thus scroll much smoother and play.
One advantage of OLED panels is that individual pixels can be disabled, that’s how they produce the deep, dark blacks. On most Android devices with OLED screens, you get the name Always On Display. It is a low-power mode that displays important information. It varies by phone, but most devices show the clock and pending notifications. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 13 will eventually display its own ever-present.
Some, including the playful Jon Prosser, say that Apple will shrink the infamous notch at the top of the screen with Face ID technology. This is a very welcome change, as the notch is quite unsightly.
iPhone 13 versus iPhone 12: cameras
This is not too surprising, but we’ve heard of some camera upgrades for the iPhone 13. At the moment, the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 Pro use three lenses: a wide-angle 12MP f / 1.6, an ultrawide 12MP f / 2, 4, and a 12MP telephoto with an nf / 2.0 aperture (2x zoom on the 12 Pro, 2.5x zoom on the 12 Pro Max). The iPhone 12 and 12 mini are missing the telephoto lens and the LiDAR flight time sensor.
Some rumors say that the iPhone 13 will include a periscope camera to magnify better to compete with the ridiculous zoom capabilities of the Galaxy S21 Ultra. More importantly, Apple can upgrade the ultra-wide camera to an nf / 1.8 aperture with autofocus (as opposed to the f / 2.4 aperture and fixed focus on the 12-series). It comes from Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors).
Other rumors suggest that Apple will use the LiDAR sensor on all four models instead of just on the Pro units. Night mode can see improvements, especially on the ultra-wide camera. Finally, we heard that the iPhone 13 may include a portrait mode for video and an astrophotography mode for capturing the night sky.
iPhone 13 versus iPhone 12: touch ID on screen
The iPhone 13 may bring back Touch ID, which was last seen on the iPhone 8 series (it’s also on the iPhone SE, but it’s not a flagship device and uses the iPhone 8 body). Apple has been attending Face ID since the iPhone X, but it can add Touch ID to the iPhone. In this pandemic world where we still wear masks, Face ID does not do much good in public.
Apple can use a on-screen fingerprint scanner, as on the Galaxy S21 – the S21’s ultrasonic sensor is pretty good and accurate in our testing and use. However, Apple has pushed a Touch ID sensor in the on / off button for the most recent iPad Air. Some Android phones have followed this route in the past and it can work pretty well, and also feels pretty natural.
Either way, having both Face ID and Touch ID on the iPhone 13 will cover all the basics: face unlock to go maskless and fingerprint unlocking for public use and Apple Pay.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12: Lightning or Portless
Speculation that Apple may abandon the Lightning port on the iPhone 13 has been floating around for several months now, especially after the MagSafe wireless charging was introduced on the iPhone 12 series. While few people seem to want it, Apple likes to shake things up a bit. USB-C is preferable, but it can never happen.
Apple leak Jon Prosser said one of his sources mentioned that an iPhone 13 model would be inflexible. Due to possible problems with the language barrier, he thinks that the Pro models may no longer have one variant. However, Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors) suggests that only the iPhone 13 Pro Max will be portless. While this is a “brave” decision, no one knows at the moment.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12: Outlook
There’s nothing in the stone for the iPhone 13 yet, but both Kuo and Prosser have good records when it comes to predictions. We will not get anything in an official capacity for a few months now, but there are likely to be more and more rumors in the meantime. The COVID-19 pandemic could also lead to more leaks than usual.
As mentioned, buying an iPhone 12 is not a bad decision. You can play the waiting game forever and tell yourself to just wait for the next big thing. Check out our iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini reviews if you want more in-depth information about the phones. And do not forget to visit our best page 12 for iPhone 12 deals before you buy something.