Delayed iPhone 13 features: you won't get this (yet)
It won't be long now before we know everything about the iPhone 13: on September 14, Apple will present the new models during the iPhone event of September 2021. Then we also know which iPhone 13 rumors are true and which are not. To protect you from major disappointments, in this article we list some of the rumors that do not become reality. In addition to rumors, we also discuss some other features that will only be added in the coming years.
- Touch ID in the screen
- No notch
- None port
- Usb-c
- LiDAR on all models
- M1 chip
- New design
- Periscopic lens
#1 Touch ID in the screen
It seemed so beautiful: in January there was a rumor that predicted that the iPhone 13 would get Touch ID in the screen. Some iPhone users are still fans of the fingerprint scanner and prefer it to Face ID. Both systems certainly have their advantages and disadvantages and a combination of both would therefore be the ideal situation. Although Apple has been working for years to process the Touch ID sensor in the screen, it is not yet ready this year.
When can we do you expect this?
There is a chance that the Touch ID sensor in the iPhone 14 will return if Apple succeeds in developing a reliable and well-functioning system. Also, the Touch ID sensor in the screen should not be at the expense of image quality.
#2 No notch
The notch has now become a typical iPhone: the front of an iPhone is therefore immediately recognizable. But secretly, Apple prefers to see the notch disappear, as evidenced by the fact that Apple often uses a black background where the notch is located in marketing images. Many iPhone users would also like to see the notch disappear, but unfortunately that is not yet the case this year. Apple is going to change something: the notch would be a lot smaller. The ear speaker is a bit higher, so that the sensors are closer together. So there is more space for the screen, left and right next to the notch.
When can we expect this?
Although the notch is getting smaller this year, it won't completely disappear in the coming years. Apple would like to opt for a punch-hole in 2022, or a small hole for the front camera. Only in 2023 at the earliest would there be no notch or camera hole in the iPhone at all.
#3 Portless iPhone
In December 2019, there was a rumor that the 2021 iPhone would no longer have a Lightning port. This proves once again that rumors years in advance almost never come true. The iPhone 13 is expected to get a Lightning connection. An iPhone without a port is therefore still in the future. Apple now has MagSafe as a replacement for charging via Lightning, but there are no simple solutions yet for other applications where data is transferred (such as CarPlay). Wireless CarPlay is far from the standard and is only available in a handful of cars. And you still need a cable to restore an iPhone.
When can we expect this?
It will probably be years before Apple ever releases a portless iPhone. There are all kinds of reasons why Apple would want an iPhone without a Lightning port, but it's simply too early for that now or next year.
#4 in the Usb-c iPhone
Although an iPhone without a port would be a drastic change, the intermediate step to USB-C sounds like a more logical choice. However, there have been no concrete indications recently that the iPhone 13 will get usb-c. At the moment, Apple seems to only want to use usb-c in the Macs, iPad Pro, iPad Air and the upcoming iPad mini. The iPhones, entry-level iPad and other accessories will continue to work with Lightning. One of the reasons is the MFi program. There are countless accessories on the market that use Lightning. Think of cables, docks, stands, earphones and headphones and much more. Perhaps Europe's wish for a universal charger can still throw a spanner in the works, but Apple will also come up with a solution for that.
When can we expect this?
It is still unclear whether the iPhone will ever make the switch to USB-C. In fact, the iPhone 14 of 2022 would still have a Lightning connection and we don't think Apple would make the choice for USB-c anytime soon.
#5 LiDAR on all models
In January, there was a rumor that the LiDAR scanner will come in all models this year, including the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. Now it doesn't seem like that is the case anymore. In drafts, dummies and mock-ups, the LiDAR scanner is no longer seen in the standard models. Only the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will probably get this scanner, which ensures that portrait photos are possible in the dark and augmented reality works better.
When can we expect this?
There have been no further rumors about when Apple plans to add the LiDAR scanner to all models. Apple may have this in mind for years to come, when more new advanced camera features can be added to the Pro models (more on that later). That way Apple can differentiate between the cameras of the Pro models and other iPhones in a different way.
#6 M1 chip in iPhone
A year ago, Apple introduced the M1 chip: an Apple-designed chip for the Mac. Apple has now also brought the same chip to the iPad Pro. As a result, the question became more and more which product is next. But Apple is not even going to replace the well-known and vaunted A-series chips with an M1 or M2 chip. In fact, this is actually nothing more than marketing. The iPhones already have an Apple-designed chip. The M1 chip in the MacBooks is based on the A-line of the iPhones and iPads. So the iPhone already has an Apple Silicon chip.
#7 New design
Apple has thoroughly overhauled the design of the iPhones with the iPhone 12 series for the first time in years. With this design, Apple can go a few years ahead. The design of the iPhone 13 is therefore largely the same as the iPhone 12, except for a different camera layout and new colors.
When can we expect this?
Apple would like to adjust the design again with the iPhone 14, so the 2022 models. Renders of the iPhone 14 have already appeared, based on leaked prototypes, showing the new design. Apple would then consider a titanium housing, so that the design also resembles the iPhone 4 series. The iPhones may also be slightly thicker.
#8 Periscopic telephoto lens
While this feature was never really mentioned for the iPhone 13, some competing smartphones already have a periscopic camera lens. You should not expect the position for this year. With such a lens you can zoom in much further, without loss of quality. The iPhone now supports two optical zooms, but with a periscopic lens this can be extended much further. The iPhone 13 may get a better telephoto lens, but a periscopic lens is only planned for sometime in the coming years.
When can we expect this?
At first it seemed that the periscopic lens would come to the iPhone in 2022, but now it seems that in 2023 the first iPhone with periscopic lens will see the light of day. Because this is still a few years away from us, this timing is far from certain. So plans can always change.
For more information and the latest iPhone 13 rumors, we refer you to our iPhone 13 overview and to the various pages with details about the iPhone 13:
- iPhone 13 rumours: we can expect this
- iPhone 13 release date: when will the new devices come?
- iPhone 13 design: this is what the new devices will look like
- iPhone 13 price: this is how much the new devices will cost
- iPhone 13 camera: these are our expectations
- iPhone 13 screen: 120Hz, but not in all models
- iPhone 13 storage: will there be a 1TB iPhone this year?
- iPhone 13 colors: just as colorful as previous years?
- iPhone 13 specs: all about the hardware