We are months away from the launch of the next iPhone lineup, which is supposed to be released in the fall of this year, but various leaks made their way online regarding the upcoming devices, weeks before the iPhone 12 models were launched.
The 2021 generation will look a lot like the one from 2020, with four smartphones in the classical 5.4-inches, 6.1-inches, and 6.7-inches variants, with two of the devices being higher-end “Pro” ones and two on the more affordable zone of the price scale.
The novel models will likely remain mostly unchanged in terms of design because the 2020 models represented a significant technology and design overhaul.
Bloomberg suggests that Apple engineers think of the upcoming models as “S” versions of the current-gen ones.
Apple has previously used the “S” nomenclature, where minor changes were made.
Mac Otakara, a famous Japanese site, suggests that the new devices will remain similar in terms of form factor, but the thickness may increase by up to 0.26mm.
The next-gen versions could also feature stronger magnets inside and a unique matte outside finish, though those rumors aren’t mainly backed up by substantial evidence.
One of Apple’s objectives was to remove all buttons and external ports from the iPhone for a clean, streamlined device.
Popular Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed two years ago that the company would introduce a high-end variant of the iPhone in 2021 with a “completely wireless experience” with the deletion of the Lightning port.
Such a device would likely charge only via Qi-based wireless charging, but that would imply some significant enhancements in terms of charging rates. One rumor claims that Apple may introduce a Smart Connector for the next-gen iPhones that would work for charging, data transfer, and syncing without relying on a Lightning port.
Smart Connectors are currently only featured on iPad models and were only used to power accessories like the Smart Keyboard.
Mac Otakara presented a mockup of the next-gen iPhone back in June, featuring a USB-C port and a seemingly notch-less design, but it isn’t yet clear if that is an accurate depiction of what we should expect. Still, that rumor isn’t on part with the rumors of the complete port removal.
Mac Otakara also suggested that the TrueDepth camera will be shallower as the receiver at the top of the screen is being moved to the edge of the case. That will help for a thinner and sleeker design.
The thin notch design has also been mentioned by a leaker who suggests Apple may introduce a more discrete notch in the following lineup. Instead of being shorter in width, the notch’s height may be reduced to make it less observable and more comfortable to blend in the top area of the device.
DigiTimes suggests that the notch on the iPhone 13 models will decrease in size. A new camera design is believed to be the designated replacement for the Rx, Tx, and flood illuminator into the same camera array to allow for the device’s shrinking in size.
Ming-Chi Kuo says he believes that the Cupertino-based tech giant is working on an iPhone with both Face ID and on-display fingerprint scanners to be launched this year, which may mean that TouchID will be brought back in some form.
As for the cameras, it is believed that the Pro models will gain improvements to the Ultra Wide camera, and, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, all of the 2022 models will receive the same modifications.
