iPhone 13: Smaller notch, Portrait Video, ProMotion displays and major upgrades planned
- Apple will introduce four new iPhone models in September, with improvements to the display, camera and processor expected.
- The lineup will include the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, two 6.1-inch models, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- Pro models will also get a 120Hz ProMotion display.
Apple plans to unveil four new iPhone models in September that will feature improved cameras, faster refresh rate displays, smaller notch, and minor design updates, according to Bloomberg.
Four new models are expected to be announced, with the two Pro models gaining additional features, including displays with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and faster action. The higher refresh rate is supported due to the introduction of LTPO displays, which allow the iPhone to adjust the refresh rate without the need for additional hardware underneath the display. It is currently used in the Apple Watch, and has been used on Samsung and OnePlus phones for years.
In terms of camera improvements, Apple will introduce Portrait Video, which will focus on a subject while blurring the background in real time. Users are expected to be able to change the amount of blur afterwards, similar to what you can do with Portrait photos.
Portrait Mode was introduced in 2016 with the iPhone 7 Plus, but has been limited to photos. Apple has improved the feature multiple times, adding Portrait Lighting effects with the iPhone X, and allowing users to adjust the aperture after taking a photo with the iPhone XS, one year later.
Apple is also planning to bring ProRes video to the iPhone 13, which records video in higher quality but has much larger file sizes, and can be tweaked further in post-production. It may be limited to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Furthermore, new filters will adjust parts of an image using artificial intelligence, and are different from the filters available in the stock Camera app on iOS. Stating an example of one, Bloomberg says it could bring a “more dramatic look with deeper shadows and more contrast” to photos with the filter applied.
Users will be able to choose from several styles to apply to their photos... and the company is planning a more balanced style for showing shadows and true-to-life colors with a brighter appearance.
The new iPhone models will also have a smaller notch, which could be reduced by up to 30%, faster A15 Bionic chip, based off of the 5-nanometer process, and larger batteries. They will also retain 5G, introduced last year with the iPhone 12, although Apple could expand mm-wave support to more regions.
In terms of design, Bloomberg reports that there will only be minor changes. Other reports suggest that new colors are to be expected on all models, and that the cameras could be positioned diagonally on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. Camera lenses could get larger on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
It was previously rumored that Apple would include Touch ID under the display with the 2021 iPhones, and that it could remove the Lighting port on at least one model, but it appears these rumors were false or that plans have been pushed back.
With the improvements, especially the smaller notch and 120Hz displays, the new models could address concerns that some iPhone users have had for years, and could see 44% of customers upgrade from their current device.
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