Tag: iPhone 13

  • UK carrier source code references iPhone 13

    UK carrier source code references iPhone 13

    The leak: O2, a popular wireless carrier in the UK, has included references to Apple’s unreleased iPhone 13 on their website…ahead of an expected September unveil.

    Our take: This could be one of two things: a) Apple is known to communicate with carriers ahead of the launch of a new phone and this could simply be preparation for the phone’s official launch in a few weeks or b) just a guess from a random developer that works for O2 that is making their best guess as to what Apple’s next phone will be called. But more and more evidence is pointing to iPhone 13, not iPhone 12s.

    Thanks Patton!

  • iPhone 13 may be able to make calls and send texts with no service

    iPhone 13 may be able to make calls and send texts with no service

    The rumor: Apple is planning to use low-orbit satellites to bring communication to places it has never gone before on iPhone 13, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • “We predict that the iPhone 13 hardware specs will support LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite communications. If Apple turns on the software, when iPhone 13 users are not in 4G/5G coverage, they can also call and transmit via satellite communications” Kuo says
    • Mark Gurman previously reported on Apple’s plans to allow iPhones to communicate with satellites in December 2019

    Our take: This could be the killer feature of the iPhones this year, and beat any Android devices to the punch. The applications of this technology are wild and would allow people to communicate in places that they simply could not before. That being said, I’ll be impressed if we see this feature land on iPhone 13 and not something next year or the year after. If it does come this year, it will be huge for Apple.

  • Apple’s iPhone 13 may be getting more expensive…here’s why

    Apple’s iPhone 13 may be getting more expensive…here’s why

    The rumor: Apple’s upcoming iPhone 13 series may be more expensive than the iPhone 12 due issues with chip production, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • Per the new report, prices for chip production from TSMC, one of Apple’s manufacturers, could see increases as high as 20%
    • In turn, “Apple is likely to set higher prices for its upcoming iPhone and other series, according to market sources. Multiple notebook brand vendors, which have raised their prices by 5-10% so far this year, continue to explore ways to mitigate the impact of rising costs on their profitability” DigiTimes says

    Our take: Wow…the first we’ve heard of a price increase for iPhone 13, all due to the chip shortage. Considering the breadth of the rumored upgrades this year, this will literally be a tough sell. The prices for the iPhone 12 lineup are already quite high, so I’m curious to see how much Apple may be planning to hike here. Then again, this is just coming from DigiTimes, a source that is only 61% accurate…

  • New image claims to show ‘iPhone 13’ branding

    New image claims to show ‘iPhone 13’ branding

    The leak: A new photo with “iPhone 13” branding was just shared on Twitter by Weibo-wizard DuanRui.

    • The new photo, seen above, shows what appears to be some official packaging for “iPhone 13”
    • Rumors have suggested that this year’s iPhone will be called iPhone 13 or iPhone 12s

    Our take: Like the other sketchy-looking leak from earlier…it appears to be legitimate, but I’m not 100% sure just yet. But iPhone 13 seems plausible.

  • Chinese retailer says iPhone 13 releasing on September 17, AirPods 3 on September 30

    Chinese retailer says iPhone 13 releasing on September 17, AirPods 3 on September 30

    The rumor: A Chinese retailer claims to have the release dates for both iPhone 13 and AirPods 3, according to IT Home (not yet tracked, via MacRumors).

    • The listing, which isn’t verified, shows iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max releasing on September 17…with AirPods 3 releasing a bit later on September 30
    • IT Home, who first noticed the image, doesn’t have a reliable track record and has altered images in the past

    Our take: While these dates could coincidentally end up being right, I’m highly doubtful that this random retailer somehow got access to the release dates prior to anyone else. They could be accurate, but with no track record I’m highly skeptical. We’ll keep you updated if any more reliable sources report these release dates…

  • iPhone 13 Face ID could work with foggy glasses and masks

    iPhone 13 Face ID could work with foggy glasses and masks

    The leak: Apple has been testing a prototype version of Face ID that would make significant improvements, according to Jon Prosser (74.3% accurate, via FrontPageTech.com).

    • The prototype, which currently exists as a case that an iPhone 12 fits inside, features a new Face ID array that is almost identical to the one that will likely be found on iPhone 13, suggesting that these improvements could ship as early as this year
    • “Internally, Apple employees are being asked to wear masks AND glasses to test the new hardware. Some tests are conducted with masks on / masks off. Others are conducted with glasses on / glasses off while wearing a mask” Prosser says

    Our take: This is interesting, and would absolutely fix what is still Face ID’s Achilles heel: masks. The unlock with Apple Watch feature was a major step forward, but for everyone without an Apple Watch, wearing a mask with Face ID is still a bad experience. I’m not convinced this will actually happen on iPhone 13 with the testing occurring so recently, but on the 2022 iPhones…maybe.

  • iPhone 13 again rumored to launch in second half of September with 1TB storage tier

    iPhone 13 again rumored to launch in second half of September with 1TB storage tier

    The rumor: Apple is launching the iPhone 13 earlier than last year, according to Wedbush Securities (69.2% accurate, via MacRumors).

    • The new report says Apple is definitely moving forward with a 1TB storage option (which could be useful if Apple’s higher-quality video features are coming)
    • Wedbush also reports that the iPhone will launch in the third week of September, which has been reported by others

    Our take: Nothing new here except the reiteration of previous claims and more evidence for a third week of September launch. We’re getting closer to iPhone 13…

  • iPhone 13 lineup may see similar pricing, expanded mmWave 5G support & bigger batteries

    iPhone 13 lineup may see similar pricing, expanded mmWave 5G support & bigger batteries

    The rumor: Apple’s next iPhones are expected to bring a slew of minor improvements, according to TrendForce (75% accurate).

    Here’s what the new report outlines…

    • mmWave 5G (the ultra-fast kind of 5G) currently limited to US iPhones is said to be expanding to new markets
    • Pricing for the iPhone 13 series is likely remaining similar to iPhone 12 due to the lack of major hardware upgrades
    • As for upgraded batteries, TrendForce says “The iPhone 13 will see a shift in its charging circuit board from the previous rigid-flex PCB design to a new design featuring SiP combined with flexible PCB. The space-saving feature of this new design will also likely result in increased battery capacity”

    Our take: We’ve heard all of this before already, but good to see it corroborated just weeks before the new iPhones release. Biggest takeaway for me is same pricing expected this year.

  • iPhone 13 major camera upgrades leaked, powered by new A15 chip

    iPhone 13 major camera upgrades leaked, powered by new A15 chip

    The rumor: The biggest camera upgrades for Apple’s 2021 iPhones have been shared by Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    3 major camera upgrades…

    • Portrait Mode video: like standard portrait mode, creates a more cinematic look and feel for your content, and the blur is adjustable in post (a wild technical accomplishment that likely speaks to the power of the A15 chip)
    • ProRes video: Higher-quality video in larger file sizes that will likely be exclusive to the Pro iPhones, just like ProRaw on iPhone 12 Pro
    • Speciality filters that edit custom elements: “Another feature will let users better control the look of colors and highlights in their pictures. Users will be able to choose from several styles to apply to their photos, including one for showing colors at either a warmer or cooler temperature while keeping whites neutral. Another option will add a more dramatic look with deeper shadows and more contrast, and the company is planning a more balanced style for showing shadows and true-to-life colors with a brighter appearance”

    Our take: As I predicted, cameras will be the biggest focus for this year’s iPhones. A great, detailed report from Gurman that will likely be unveiled in a virtual event in just a few weeks…

  • Second rumor suggests AirPods 3 releasing in September alongside iPhone 13

    Second rumor suggests AirPods 3 releasing in September alongside iPhone 13

    The rumor: Apple will be unveiling a new version of AirPods alongside the 2021 iPhones, according to dylandkt (81.3% accurate).

    Our take: I was skeptical about the first rumor, but Dylan seems to have release timeframes down pretty well for new products. Looks like we may be seeing AirPods 3 in just under 2 months…

    https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1419103317683212290?s=20
  • iPhone 13 could support faster 25W charging

    iPhone 13 could support faster 25W charging

    The rumor: Apple may again be upgrading the charging speed on the new iPhones this year, according to MyDrivers, who historically has a poor track record.

    • iPhone 13 could support 25W charging, faster than the 20W charging that is currently supported
    • The only other MyDrivers rumors we have ever covered have been relatively inaccurate

    Our take: As sketchy as MyDrivers’ track record has been thus far…this isn’t too hard to believe. A minor increase of 5W doesn’t sound too unrealistic and would certainly add to the (small) list of iPhone 13 upgrades.