September is almost here and Apple will release its flagship device, the iPhone 13 series along with other devices such as the AirPods 3 and the Watch Series 7. Rumors have it that the tech event will take place during the third week of the month of September.
But this post is about the main product which is the iPhone 13 series and according to reports, this device will come in four models just like the previous models.
Popular analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made this prediction making it known that the iPhone 13 series will include the base model iPhone 13, then the smallest iPhone 13 Mini, and then the big boys which are the iPhone 13 Pro, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max both of which will include high-end features such as a high refresh rate and so much more.
We also got leaked overviews of what these devices will look like and despite not looking too different from the previous models, there will be some tweaks especially with the non-pro models.
Even though the non-pro iPhone 13 smartphones will have some slight design changes to set them apart from the previous iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12, the next-gen devices will sport similar camera specifications as the previous models even though there will be a camera rearrangement on the next-gen iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini.
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Below is a list of news and speculations hinting at details of what to expect when the iPhone 13 series is released later on in September.
Price of the iPhone 13 series
In a previous post, I wrote a speculated price point of the iPhone 13 series based on price comparison with the previous models. Back in 2020, the base model iPhone 12 and the smaller iPhone 12 Mini were the most affordable of the four, and that same trend will definitely go on this year.
The iPhone 12 Mini for example came with a US$699 price tag while the base iPhone 12 came with a US$799 price tag while the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max were US$999 and US$1,099 respectively.
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 13 Mini should be about US$100 cheaper than the base iPhone 13 because it’s definitely going to be the smallest of them with lesser features and specs.
And in the high-end models such as the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, their price range might be similar to the previous models which are about US$999 and US$1,099 respectively. Apple might in fact reduce the price point of these devices because it’s the right thing to do.
Take Samsung for example, the company’s latest flagship devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Z Flip 3 both come with a lower price point compared to their predecessors.
However, even if the price of the iPhone 13 series is increased, the price difference shouldn’t exceed the US$200 addition, and it’s definitely going to be for the high-end models.
And one of the reasons there might be a slight jump in price is due to the increased price of chip production from TSMC – the company that supplies Apple chipsets. The sales increase of these chipsets is said to be at about20% for “advanced and mature process technologies” by January 2022 according to a report.
Here are prices for each of the iPhone 12 models, for reference:
iPhone 12 pricing
| iPhone 12 model | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 Mini (carrier model) | $699 | $749 | $849 | N/A |
| iPhone 12 Mini (SIM-free from Apple) | $729 | $779 | $879 | N/A |
| iPhone 12 (carrier model) | $799 | $849 | $949 | N/A |
| iPhone 12 (SIM-free from Apple) | $829 | $879 | $979 | N/A |
| iPhone 12 Pro | N/A | $999 | $1,099 | $1,299 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | N/A | $1,099 | $1,199 | $1,399 |
Apple still holding on to the notch – just a bit
Apple is known for always sticking with the designs of its products for as long as possible and even though the design of the iPhone series is long overdue – especially in regards to the notch, Apple seems to still be holding on to this probably for another couple of years – who knows.
One thing that is different this time around is the fact that the notch will shrink down a little bit rather than the really-wide notch on previous models even though the device will still carry the same design aesthetics which it’ll inherit from the iPhone 12 series.
News about a smaller notch on the iPhone 13 series has been in the news for quite some time now and popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo even reported on this.
The iPhone 13 devices could as well be thicker and have larger camera bumps compared to their predecessors. The camera layout on the non-pro models will be very obvious and MacRumors even made a report that the thickness of the camera bump might be to accommodate an enhanced camera system.
In terms of their sizes, there was a mockup that was shared online among tech YouTubers such as MKBHD which showed what the device could look like in terms of its form-factor and what to expect when the device makes its debut.
In regards to that, we’ll be expecting something quite similar to the previous iPhone 12 series in which case, the iPhone 13 Mini will have a smaller 5.4-inch display, then the base model iPhone 13 while the high-end model, the iPhone 13 Pro Max could sport a 6.7-inch display.
iPhone 13 rumored sizes
| iPhone 13 model | Size |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Mini | 5.4 inches |
| iPhone 13 standard | 6.1 inches |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 6.1 inches |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 6.7 inches |
iPhone 13 display rumors – Finally, 120Hz refresh rate?
Ming-Chi Kuo further predicted that the forthcoming iPhone 13 Pro Max – which will obviously be the peak of the iPhone 13 series – will feature an LTPO display technology as well as a 120Hz high-refresh-rate and that will bring the iPhone to the mainstream considering the fact that the majority of smartphones on the market lately now have high refresh rates.
Camera: Will all the models get a lidar scanner?
Since the iPhone 13 series will feature an improved camera system according to rumors, could that mean Apple will be integrating its LiDAR technology on all the models?
But the models that’ll surely continue to have this are the two pro models.
Still, on the camera upgrade, there was a report about Apple improving the camera system with three new camera and video features such as a video version of Portrait Mode as well as a higher-quality option to record videos which are dubbed the ProRes. There will also be a new filter system to enhance the appearance of photos directly from the camera app.
The LiDAR technology will further enhance camera focus as well as scanning and other enhanced features that’ll make the iPhone 13 series perform at its best in every way possible.
Battery: Each iPhone 13 model could get a battery size boost
The size of each of the iPhone 13 series will determine how big its battery will be. There was a June report made by 9to5Mac based on a leak from @L0vetodream that showed that the iPhone 13 Mini will have a 2,406mAh battery while the base model iPhone 13, as well as the iPhone 13 Pro model, will have a 3,095mAh while the bigger iPhone 13 Pro Max will have a bigger 4,352mAh battery.
Those numbers might not be big compared to devices from brands like Xiaomi but one thing to put in mind is power efficiency and optimization features built into the core of the iOS system.
iPhone 13 rumored battery sizes
| iPhone 13 model | Battery size |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Mini | 2,406-mAh |
| iPhone 13 standard | 3,095-mAh |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 3,095-mAh |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 4,325-mAh |
And another thing to take note of is the fact that a bigger battery doesn’t always translate to longer battery life so when you hear size doesn’t matter, that might be the case with the iPhone 13 series. Also, we don’t know anything about the charging speed of the battery but we know the devices won’t be shipped with a charger s usual.
iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro AND 13 Pro Max rumored specs
| Apple iPhone 13 | Apple iPhone 13 Mini | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | |
| Display size | 6.1 inches | 5.4 inches | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Camera features | Portrait Mode video and new filter system | Portrait Mode video and new filter system | Portrait Mode video, ProRes, lidar scanner and new filter system | Portrait Mode video, ProRes, lidar scanner and new filter system |
| Battery | 3,095 mAh | 2,406 mAh | 3,095 mAh | 4,325 mAh |
| Price (USD) | $829 (64GB), $879 (128GB), $979 (256GB) | $729 (64GB), $779 (128GB), $879 (256GB) | $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB) | $1,099 (128GB), $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £799 (64GB), £849 (128GB), £949 (256GB) | £699 (64GB), £749 (128GB), £849 (256GB) | £999 (128GB), £1,099 (256GB), £1,299 (512GB) | £1,099 (128GB), £1,199 (256GB), £1,399 (512GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$1,349 (64GB), AU$1,429 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB) | AU$1,199 (64GB), AU$1,279 (128GB), AU$1,449 (256GB) | AU$1,699 (128GB), AU$1,869 (256GB), AU$2,219 (512GB) | AU$1,849 (128GB), AU$2,019 (256GB), AU$2,369 (512GB) |
That’s it. That’s all we know about the iPhone 13 series so far. What will be more important is how well the device will perform even though we know that iPhones have great hardware and great software with really nice support for future upgrades which will make the iPhone 13 a relevant device in about 2 to 3 years down the line the same way the iPhone 11 is still relevant even in 2021.
