Apple iPhone 13 rumours, release date, specs and features

(Pocket-lint) - The yearly refresh of the iPhone is 1 of the biggest events successful tech: it's the telephone that galore aspire to own, 1 that sets trends and the telephone that each others are looking to better.

While leaks and rumours are thing caller to the satellite of tech, getting accusation astir unannounced Apple devices is reasonably rare. They don't thin to leak arsenic comprehensively arsenic a Samsung oregon Google phone - but we're gathering up everything we perceive astir the 2021 iPhone models close here.

Apple iPhone 13 merchandise day and price

• September/October 2021

Typically Apple holds its iPhone lawsuit successful the 2nd week of September and usually connected a Tuesday. If 2020 had been a modular year, the iPhone 12 would apt person been unveiled connected 8 September 2020.

Of course, 2020 was not a mean twelvemonth acknowledgment to the ongoing planetary situation. Instead, Apple revealed the iPhone 12 series connected 13 October, breaking the signifier and making it harder to find erstwhile the iPhone 13 (or iPhone 14) lawsuit mightiness instrumentality place. 

If the signifier returns to mean for 2021 - which it has been claimed to bash - the iPhone 13 lawsuit could instrumentality spot connected 7 September. There's been speech of 14 September though. It's said availability could commencement successful the 3rd week of September with pre-orders claimed for 17 September and availability from 24 September. No lawsuit is confirmed arsenic yet though.

In presumption of price, we'd expect the iPhone 13 bid to commencement astir the aforesaid arsenic the iPhone 12 range.

What volition the iPhone 2021 beryllium called?

• iPhone 13/14 mini
• iPhone 13/14
• iPhone 13/14 Pro 
• iPhone 13/14 Pro Max

Pre-2017, it was beauteous casual to foretell what the adjacent iPhone would beryllium called. Following the iPhone 3G up to the iPhone 8, Apple utilized sequential numbers and that was that.

With the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max having launched successful 2020, it's beauteous apt the 2021 iPhones volition beryllium called the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, if determination are 4 iPhones again - determination mightiness not beryllium a mini according to rumours.

In presumption of sanction though, arsenic the fig 13 is commonly associated with being unlucky, it could beryllium that Apple skips 13 and calls the 2021 iPhones the iPhone 14 mini, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. There's besides been speech of iPhone 12S flying astir truthful the naming is simply a small up successful the aerial astatine the moment.

Design

• Similar design
• Squarer edges
• Thicker

The Apple iPhone 12 models came with a refreshed design, offering squarer edges much similar the iPhone 4 oregon 5. It's truthful apt that the iPhone 13 models volition instrumentality with this plan arsenic a plan refresh 2 years moving would beryllium unusual. 

We're hoping to spot a reduced notch astatine the apical of the surface of the 2021 models though - which has been suggested successful rumours - oregon amended still, nary notch astatine all. A patent has antecedently been filed for a notch-less phone, but however Face ID would beryllium accommodated remains a puzzle. It's besides been said that a notchless telephone won't get until 2023. 

Other rumours surrounding the plan suggest a matte achromatic decorativeness could beryllium connected the cards, arsenic good arsenic a bronze decorativeness and there's been speech of a coating connected the Pro models stainless alloy framework to combat disconnected fingerprints. There's besides been claims of the caller models being somewhat thicker and a larger camera lodging connected the rear.

Displays

• All OLED
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Always-on display

With the iPhone 12 models each offering OLED displays, it is apt the iPhone 13 models volition besides each person OLED screens.

There were reports of a adaptable refresh complaint for the iPhone 12 models with a 120Hz refresh rate that could driblet down to 60Hz erstwhile necessary, though this ne'er happened, truthful possibly it volition beryllium thing we volition spot connected the 2021 models.

Samsung is said to beryllium producing LTPO displays for the Pro models - and accumulation is claimed to person started - truthful it's imaginable we volition spot 120Hz adaptable refresh rates connected the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg believes this volition beryllium the lawsuit and he's usually a precise reliable source.

The iPhone 12 bid comes successful a 5.4-inch model, 2 6.1-inch models and a 6.7-inch model. With the show sizes changing for 2020, we'd foretell they volition enactment the aforesaid for 2021 - arsenic bash others - though you ne'er know.

Some speculation besides suggested in-display fingerprint sensors for the iPhone 12 models. As this ne'er appeared, possibly this is thing the iPhone 13 models volition look to present alongside Face ID. There has besides been speech of an always-on display, with icons similar timepiece and artillery showing adjacent erstwhile the surface is locked, arsenic good arsenic notification bars dimly lighting up erstwhile a notification appears alternatively than the full screen.

Cameras

• Pro models apt to beryllium better
• Improvements likely
• Astrophotography mode?

Currently determination aren't galore rumours surrounding the cameras iPhone 13 models, but we fishy Apple volition instrumentality with offering a amended camera setup connected the iPhone 13 Pro models. We're hoping to spot the modular iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max offering the aforesaid again though.

There person been claims to suggest each models successful the iPhone 13 enactment up could connection sensor-shift representation stabilisation, which is presently offered connected the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which would beryllium large to see. There's besides speech of an upgraded ultra wide sensor with each 4 models moving to a lens with an f/1.8 aperture compared to the f/2.4 offered connected the iPhone 12 models, though it's besides been claimed lone the Pro models volition get the upgrade and that this upgrade volition see autofocus.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max exemplary is besides said to beryllium coming with a f/1.5 main sensor.

Additionally, an automatic astrophotography mode that kicks successful erstwhile the stars oregon satellite is detected erstwhile taking a photograph has been reported and there's been speech of a redesign to let for a smaller protrusion connected the Pro models.

It's been said the camera housings volition get thicker connected the iPhone 13 models to let for a much seamless finish.

In presumption of different features, it's been claimed determination volition beryllium 3 upgrades, including Portrait mode coming to video - said to beryllium called Cinematic video, a diagnostic called ProRES and a caller filtering process.

Hardware and software

• 5G
• A15 chip
• iOS 15

With the iPhone 12 bid offering 5G, the iPhone 13 models volition nary uncertainty bash the same. They volition besides each apt tally connected the A15 spot and iOS 15 software, the second of which was previewed during WWDC astatine the opening of June. It's besides said they volition each tally Qualcomm's X60 5G modem and determination has been immoderate speech of users earlier capable to telephone and substance without signal.

Battery capacities are said to person appeared connected China's 3C (China Compulsory Certificate) certification tract for the iPhone 13 models. It's claimed the iPhone 13 Pro Max volition person a 4352mAh battery, the iPhone 13 with a 3095mAh artillery and the iPhone 13 mini with a 2406mAh battery. All are somewhat larger than their predecessors.

Other hardware and bundle features person yet to beryllium elaborate successful rumours, but that determination whitethorn beryllium a 1TB retention enactment connected the iPhone 13 Pro models, but we expect to perceive much implicit the coming weeks arsenic leaks increase.

• Apple iOS 15 merchandise date, features and rumours

Apple iPhone 13 rumours: What's happened truthful far?

Here's everything we've heard astir the iPhone 13 models truthful far.

30 August 2021: The iPhone 13 mightiness let you to marque calls and nonstop texts without compartment service

A study from expert Ming Chi Kuo via MacRumours claims Apple whitethorn alteration users to marque telephone calls and nonstop and person substance messages adjacent without awesome connected the iPhone 13. 

26 August 2021: iPhone 13 pre-order and shipping dates leaked by retailer

A screengrab of an e-commerce app obtained by ITHome (from Weibo idiosyncratic @PandaIsBald) claims the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max volition beryllium disposable to pre-order fron 17 September for shipping connected Friday 24 September. 

The accusation was supported by Front Page Tech.

25 August 2021: Apple is secretly investigating an outer Face ID sensor that tin work your look adjacent nether a mask

Front Page Tech reported that Apple is investigating much a much precocious Face ID module that would beryllium capable to observe your look beneath a mask, arsenic good arsenic foggy glasses. It is not expected to travel to the iPhone 13 though.

24 August 2021: Leaked iPhone 13 Pro cases corroborate smaller notch and thicker body

Photos published by Svetapple.sk amusement what is claimed to beryllium iPhone 13 Pro cases connected an iPhone 12 Pro, showing a smaller notch connected the beforehand and larger camera housing. The images besides suggest the chassis for the caller instrumentality volition beryllium slighty thicker.

23 August 2021: Apple has tested an iPhone 13 with Touch ID, but it won't motorboat this year

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed successful his Power On newsletter that Apple has tested an iPhone 13 with some Face ID and Touch ID, though it's said a instrumentality with some biometric options is improbable to look this year. 

21 August 2021: Suspicious photos purport to uncover a acheronian purple iPhone 13 Pro

Twitter idiosyncratic @MajinBuOfficial tweeted an representation of what is said to beryllium a roseate golden iPhone 13 with a acheronian purplish decorativeness connected the rear.

Based connected what was sent to maine today, #Apple has developed a Rose Gold colored iPhone unit, astir apt a variant discadred oregon planned for the future. Unfortunately I person nary much accusation astir it pic.twitter.com/ORvZ3eJ2aA

— Majin Bu @MajinBuOfficial) August 19, 2021

20 August 2021: Apple has aggregate merchandise launches planned for September

Digitimes reported that Apple has aggregate keynotes planned for September, 1 of which volition apt beryllium for the iPhone 13.

18 August 2021: Apple iPhone 13 could motorboat 14 September, with 1TB option

9to5Mac reported that expert institution Wedbush claimed the iPhone 13 lawsuit volition instrumentality spot successful the 3rd week of September and perchance travel successful a 1TB option.

16 August 2021: Apple Watch Series 7 to bring Time to Run feature, M1X MacBook Pro coming soon

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg elaborate a mates of other things successful his Power On newsletter including that helium believes the adjacent iPhone volition called the iPhone 13, not iPhone 12S, that it volition travel with a smaller notch and that it volition tally connected the A15 chip. He besides said the surface sizes should beryllium the aforesaid arsenic the iPhone 12 models.

12 August 2021: Apple iPhone 13 bid launching adjacent period volition astir apt person bigger batteries

A study from Taiwanese-based probe steadfast TrendForce claims the iPhone 13 bid is acceptable to diagnostic larger batteries, whilst besides corroborating a fig of different rumours.

10 August 2021: New iPhones with adjacent amended Pro cameras are launching soon

Apple's iPhone 13 bid is expected to beryllium announced successful September and acclaimed Apple leaker Mark Gurman for Bloomberg says they volition travel with a fewer large camera and video improvements arsenic the superior selling points. 

28 June 2021: Apple iPhone 13 Pro to person upgraded ultra wide space lens with autofocus

A study from expert Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone 13 Pro models volition travel with an improved ultra wide-angle lens with autofocus and the modular iPhone models volition get the upgrade successful 2022.

24 June 2021: Could Apple motorboat a 6.7-inch iPhone for nether $900 successful 2022?

Apple could release a cheaper larger iPhone successful 2022 if the latest expert study is to beryllium believed. Ming-Chi Kuo said the instrumentality could outgo nether $900.

22 June 2021: There volition beryllium nary iPhone 13 mini, claims report

Apple is said to beryllium focusing connected conscionable 3 handsets for September 2021, alternatively than the 4 models it released past year. It is claimed that Apple has ditched plans for a follow-up to the iPhone 12 mini, aft mediocre income performance.

7 June 2021: Apple previews iOS 15

Apple previewed iOS 15 during WWDC. A fig of the caller features coming to iPhones were elaborate successful the preview.

2 June 2021: iPhone 13 artillery details revealed successful certification

A Weibo study claimed the iPhone 13 artillery capacities aft the devices went done the 3C (China Compulsory Certificate) certification.

1 June 2021: Apple iPhone 13 Pro 120Hz displays reportedly statesman production

A study from The Elec claimed Samsung Display has started accumulation of the 120Hz LTPO displays said to beryllium destined for the iPhone 13 Pro models. It's said LG is producting the screens for the modular iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini.

11 May 2021: Apple iPhone 13 models could person much salient camera housings

MacRumours reported that leaked schematics amusement the iPhone 13 models could beryllium thicker than their predecessors and they could person much salient camera housings to let for a flusher decorativeness overall.

4 May 2021: Samsung Electro-Mechanics to proviso RFPCB to Apple for iPhone 13

The Elec published a study claiming Samsung Electro-Mechanics volition proviso its rigid flexible printed circuit boards (RFPCB) to Apple for the iPhone 13 models. 

19 April 2021: Leaked images amusement however iPhone 13 could diagnostic a overmuch smaller notch than erstwhile models

Twitter idiosyncratic DuanRui published a leaked representation claimed to beryllium of the iPhone 13 showing a reduced notch.

pic.twitter.com/KfHhh1fNBo

— DuanRui (@duanrui1205) April 17, 2021

19 April 2021: iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max volition diagnostic next-gen LTPO displays, ProMotion adaptable refresh rates

Analyst Ross Young from from Display Supply Chain Consultants claimed some the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max volition diagnostic next-generation LTPO displays with ProMotion.

If true, the refresh complaint would beryllium capable to emergence to 120Hz for improved fluidity and responsiveness. It could besides mean that Apple Pencil volition beryllium supported connected iPhone - the iPad Pro with ProMotion offers a 20ms latency. 

31 March 2021: The iPhone 13 Pro Max mightiness diagnostic a f/1.5 wide camera

Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo claimed the iPhone 13 Pro Max will include a f/1.5 aperture wide-angle camera.

29 March 2021: Will the iPhone 13 travel with a matte achromatic finish?

Tipster Max Weinbach claimed the iPhone 13 volition travel successful a matte achromatic decorativeness and a bronze decorativeness was besides mentioned. Weinbach besides suggested the camera would beryllium redesigned with a smaller protrusion connected the iPhone 13 Pro models.

24 March 2021: Apple iPhone 13 could yet person smaller notch, leaked panels suggest

Some leaked panels sent to MacRumours suggest the iPhone 13 models volition travel with a smaller notch and relocated receptor piece.

23 March 2021: iPhone 13 volition spell connected merchantability 'end of September 2021'

MacRumours reported that Apple volition apt merchandise its iPhone 13 models backmost successful enactment with mean schedules, with availability suggested for the 3rd week successful September, according to Wedbush expert Dan Ives. 

22 March 2021: Samsung to reportedly proviso LTPO displays for iPhone 13 models with ProMotion

AppleInsider reported that Samsung is gearing up to nutrient LTPO displays for Apple's iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, supporting 120Hz refresh rates. It's claimed successful the study that Samsung could commencement accumulation successful the aboriginal fractional of 2021.

2 March 2021: Apple's iPhone 13 lineup mightiness diagnostic a smaller notch cutout and bigger batteries

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said each 4 iPhone 13 models volition beryllium the aforesaid sizes arsenic the iPhone 12 models. He besides said the iPhone 13 Pro models would diagnostic LTPO displays with 120Hz refresh rates, an upgraded ultra-wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture lens and autofocus.

Bigger batteries and smaller show cutouts were besides reported but Kuo said determination would beryllium nary portless plan this year, nary USB Type-C and each models would usage Qualcomm's X60 5G modem.

1 March 2021: How the iPhone 13 mightiness enactment without a Lightning port

A study suggests determination volition beryllium nary Lightning larboard connected the iPhone 13 and that respective teams person been tasked with moving retired a solution to retrieve an iPhone if thing was to spell incorrect with it that traditionally would impact plugging it into iTunes.

15 February 2021: Apple iPhone 13 could person always-on show and astrophotography mode

Leaker Max Weinbach claimed the iPhone 13 could travel with an always-on show and it mightiness person an automatic astrophotography mode that kicks successful erstwhile stars oregon the satellite is detected.

3 Febraury 2021: Apple iPhone 13 models could travel with upgraded ultra wide camera

Barclays analysts claimed each 4 of the iPhone 13 models volition spot an upgraded ultra wide camera, portion the iPhone 13 Pro volition besides get the upgraded telephoto lens from the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

2 February 2021: Will iPhone 13 diagnostic in-display Touch ID? New claims suggest yes

The Wall Street Journal reported that it heard from 2 erstwhile Apple employees that a caller optical Touch ID whitethorn beryllium deployed alongside Face ID nether the display.

21 January 2021: iPhone 12 Max sensor-shift stablilisation could travel to each iPhone 13 oregon 14 handsets

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max has a clump of other camera capabilities including sensor-shift representation stabilisation meaning near-complete elimination of camera shake. According to reports, the tech is acceptable to travel to the full of the next-generation iPhone lineup, including dual-lens models.

16 January 2021: Apple reportedly processing foldable iPhone displays and in-screen Touch ID

Bloomberg reported that the 2021 iPhone could travel with an in-screen fingerprint sensor. 

11 January 2021: Apple is readying to tweak the notch connected the iPhone 13 - but don't expect a plan overhaul

The iPhone 13 is acceptable to diagnostic a near-identical plan to the existent harvest of Apple smartphones, though the notch could beryllium successful enactment for a tweak compared to erstwhile models, according to a study from Japanese outlet Mac Otakara.

18 October 2020: iPhone 13 could person in-display fingerprint sensor and Face ID

A study published by BGR suggests a leaker has said the iPhone 13 could diagnostic Touch ID underneath the display, alongside Face ID. 

26 August 2020: Video leaks, appears to amusement precocious refresh complaint settings

A video purporting to amusement the iPhone 12 Max show leaked. The video appears to corroborate high-refresh complaint settings for the Pro and Pro Max. With the iPhone 12 Pro Max not offering this, possibly it's a diagnostic we volition spot connected the iPhone 13 Pro models.

3 July 2020: Higher 120Hz refresh complaint displays perchance coming to 2021 iPhones

Analyst Ross Young said his contacts deliberation 120Hz exertion could travel to the 2021 iPhone series. 

20 April 2020: Smaller notch incoming

Several reports suggested the iPhone 12 would have a smaller notch, yet each the Face ID sensors volition beryllium present. This would fundamentally lone mean that the talker is moved upwards into the bezel of the phone, arsenic it has been connected galore Android devices.  

As the iPhone 12 models didn't connection this, each eyes are present connected the iPhone 13 models.

31 December 2019: Notch-free telephone patent filed by Apple

Patents filed by Apple person appeared for a notch-free phone, but it does rise the question of however Apple volition connection Face ID if there's nary abstraction for the needed hardware.

30 September 2019: Apple iPhone renders amusement nary notch

Ben Geskin produced immoderate renders showing what the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max could person looked similar if the notch disappeared. We've near them present successful lawsuit Apple makes this determination for the iPhone 13 models.

5 September 2019: Apple processing in-screen sensor

According to Bloomberg, Apple is processing an in-display fingerprint authentication exertion that works overmuch similar the solutions we've seen implemented by Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, and others.

Presumably, it would beryllium a Touch ID-branded diagnostic that would enactment alongside Face ID, allowing users to much efficiently bypass their device's fastener surface and process payments.

5 August 2019: Long unrecorded Touch ID! Apple's 2021 iPhone mightiness usage in-display fingerprint tech

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed Apple volition apt connection an Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor successful the iPhone 2021. Kuo said the strategy volition enactment alongside Apple's Face ID. 

He besides said that the notch would get smaller for the 2020 iPhone - which it didn't - earlier being ditched wholly for the 2021 iPhone.

11 July 2019: The iPhone volition person its front-cameras nether the show by 2021

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims the iPhone's ample notch volition wholly vanish by 2021.

Kuo doesn't elaborate connected however Apple mightiness win successful this, but 1 mode would beryllium to determination the True Depth camera strategy - which is utilized for Face ID - to down the display. There are large challenges with this exertion astatine the infinitesimal though truthful possibly determination is different solution?

Writing by Britta O'Boyle. Originally published connected 27 October 2020.