Tag: iPhone 13

  • Ahead of busy Fall, Apple prepares production of AirPods 3, iPhone 13 & MacBook Pros

    Ahead of busy Fall, Apple prepares production of AirPods 3, iPhone 13 & MacBook Pros

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to produce a slew of products from iPhone to MacBook Pro, according to Nikkei Asia (rating pending).

    • According to the new report, Nikkei says that iPhone 13, new AirPods and MacBook Pro models will begin production next month, in August, ahead of what will likely be a busy Fall for the Cupertino-based company
    • Apple is expected to unveil new products at an event sometime in September

    Our take: If this is true, this will be the first time new AirPods have been unveiled in the Fall since the originals back in 2016 alongside iPhone 7. I’m ecstatic to try their new design, and it looks like we’re finally getting them.

  • iPhone 13 may feature new always on display mode

    iPhone 13 may feature new always on display mode

    The rumor: On top of a new 120Hz refresh rate on Pro models, some new iPhone 13 models may also see an always-on display mode, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • For the 2021 iPhones, “expect a a faster A15 chip, smaller notch, a new display for better battery life and the potential of an Apple Watch-like always on mode and a 120Hz refresh rate and upgrades to video recording” Gurman says
    • This echoes an initial report from February that iPhone 13 could finally see this long-awaited always-on feature

    Our take: With the LTPO screen tech to support this, I would hope that we see this. But considering that most Android handsets have had this for as along as I can remember, I’m still not convinced that Apple will finally implement it. Even though Gurman is nearly 90% accurate…

  • iPhone 13 design hands-on: major camera upgrades, smaller notch & more

    iPhone 13 design hands-on: major camera upgrades, smaller notch & more

    The exclusive: This is your first look at the updated design coming to Apple’s 2021 iPhone lineup, rumored to launch sometime in September.

    • There aren’t any major, structural changes…but there are big camera upgrades happening across the board
      • The lower-end 5.4/6.1-inch iPhone models will see their lenses criss-crossed for a fresh design
      • Apple’s 6.1-inch Pro model is getting a much larger camera module equal in size to that on the Pro Max
    • A smaller, redesigned notch is also coming: the speaker grill has been relocated to the top bezel accordingly
    • Minor button placement changes for the side button and volume rocker can also be seen here, but it’s possible they could also be a printing error

    Our take: We’ll have to wait until September for the full picture of what these iPhones will be, but on the outside these absolutely look like an “S year” upgrade. It’s the same great design we got on iPhone 12 but with camera changes and a new notch. And this is a good thing: I wasn’t ready to part with the iPhone 12 design so soon. It still holds up with no contest.

  • Second report says iPhone 13 will get upgraded WiFi 6E

    Second report says iPhone 13 will get upgraded WiFi 6E

    The rumor: Apple’s 2021 iPhones will get upgraded WiFi connectivity, according to DigiTimes (63.5% accurate, source).

    • DigiTimes says iPhone 13 will get WiFi 6E, echoing a prior report from Barclays (62.2% accurate)
    • The Wi-Fi Alliance describes Wi-Fi 6E as “higher performance, lower latency, and faster data rates – extended into the 6 GHz band”

    Our take: Although two sources have made the 6E claim now, both are just above 60% accurate. Still haven’t heard this from anyone super reputable yet…

  • iPhone 13 to include improved optical zoom among other video improvements

    iPhone 13 to include improved optical zoom among other video improvements

    The rumor: The 2021 iPhone will boast more expansive video capabilities, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • Gurman says “more advanced video recording features” like upgraded optical zoom will be packaged as part fo the overall camera upgrades
    • Other rumors have suggested that Portrait Mode for video will finally debut on this year’s handsets

    Our take: I’ve wanted to see better optical zoom on iPhone for years…even though it doesn’t sound like this will be the major pericope zoom upgrade rumored for 2023.

  • Gurman: Smaller notch on iPhone 13, even smaller cutout in 2022

    Gurman: Smaller notch on iPhone 13, even smaller cutout in 2022

    The rumor: Apple is planning to (finally) shrink the notch on the new iPhones coming later this year, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    Our take: A smaller notch this year is something we’ve heard over and over again, but only Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate) has said that an even smaller cutout is happening next year. No mention of hole-punch, specifically, from Gurman though…

  • Gurman: No Touch ID on iPhone 13

    Gurman: No Touch ID on iPhone 13

    The rumor: Face ID will remain the defacto biometric system on this year’s new iPhones, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • “The company has tested an in-display fingerprint scanner for this year’s devices, however that feature will likely not appear on this generation” Gurman says
    • Previous rumors suggested that Touch ID would be making a comeback on the 2021 iPhones, allowing for Face ID + Touch ID dual-authentication

    Our take: Super disappointing to hear that in-display Touch ID will, yet again, not make the cut this year. Seems like the main (and only) incentive to go Pro will be the 120Hz display…

  • Another report says LiDAR remaining exclusive to iPhone 13 Pro models

    Another report says LiDAR remaining exclusive to iPhone 13 Pro models

    The rumor: Only Pro iPhones in 2021 will feature the LiDAR sensor, according to dylandkt (81.3% accurate).

    • Only iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will include the LiDAR sensor, which makes augmented reality tasks significantly more accurate and assists with focus in low-light
    • A previous report from January suggested LiDAR would make its way to all 2021 iPhones

    Our take: Frankly, I don’t think non-Pro users are missing out on much of anything here. The LiDAR sensor is nice, but it is by no means a significant feature in its current state.

    https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1414338686314074116?s=20
  • Leaked iPhone 12s cases visualize significantly larger camera modules

    Leaked iPhone 12s cases visualize significantly larger camera modules

    The leak: New photos of iPhone 12s cases showing sizing changes have surfaced, as spotted first by DuanRui on Twitter.

    Our take: I didn’t realize how much bigger than camera modules were getting until I saw these photos…wow. Definitely seems like the cameras will be a larger focus than normal this year.

  • 2021 iPhone will be called ‘iPhone 13,’ according to least accurate source of all-time

    2021 iPhone will be called ‘iPhone 13,’ according to least accurate source of all-time

    The rumor: This year’s iPhone will be called “iPhone 13,” according to Economic Daily News (EDN) (38.6% accurate, source).

    • The new report says the 5.4, 6.1 and 6.7-inch iPhone models will be called “iPhone 13 mini,” “iPhone 13,” “iPhone 13 Pro,” and “iPhone 13 Pro Max” respectively
    • EDN is the weakest source on the AppleTrack leaderboard, and has been sine the site’s inception in May 2020

    Our take: Sure, the 2021 iPhones could be called iPhone 13. But for that to be the case, the following had to be true: 1) a weak supply chain source has months-early access to highly protected marketing information 2) Apple will break the naming tradition they’ve followed for the past 5+ years and 3) the upgrades would have to be much more significant than we’re hearing about now. So yeah, I’m skeptical.

  • New report says iPhone 13 won’t have 1TB storage, LiDAR only on Pro models

    New report says iPhone 13 won’t have 1TB storage, LiDAR only on Pro models

    The rumor: Apple is planning a more muted upgrade for the 2021 iPhones, according to TrendForce (75% accurate).

    Here are the takeaways from TrendForce’s latest report:

    • The 120Hz display is only coming to Pro models, and the LiDAR sensor will remain exclusive to the Pros
      • The ultra wide lens is gaining autofocus on these models, as well
    • A smaller notch is happening across the entire 2021 iPhone lineup
    • Even following poor sales on iPhone 12 mini, a successive 5.4-inch iPhone is still coming this year
    • 512GB will continue to be the max storage available on the iPhone…previous rumors suggested 1TB would be happening on Pro models this year

    Our take: Overall, the new iPhones this year sound like they’ll be nice but small upgrades over the iPhone 12. Nothing new or shocking in the report, but it seems that 1TB won’t be happening after all.