According to a new research note from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 2021 iPhone models will come in the same four sizes as the current iPhone 12 lineup, with the Pro models bringing significant upgrades to the ultra-wide cameras.
The current iPhone 12 family includes these four models and three sizes.
- iPhone 12 mini: 5.4 inches
- iPhone 12: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: 6.7 inches
According to Kuo’s research note, obtained by MacRumors, AppleInsider and 9to5Mac, next year’s models, tentatively named “iPhone 13,” will arrive in these same sizes:
- iPhone 13 mini: 5.4 inches
- iPhone 13: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 13 Pro: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6.7 inches
As for claimed camera improvements on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models, Kuo says both models will see their ultra-wide cameras upgraded to f/1.8 aperture, allowing twice as much light, along with a six-element lens with autofocus. A six-element lens helps reduce distortions, an important feature for wide-angle cameras. As for autofocus, if true this would mark the first time the iPhone’s wide-angle camera has supported this feature.
9to5Mac has more on that:
The current ultra-wide lens is fixed-focus. This might sound surprising, but isn’t generally a huge issue in very wide-angle lenses as they are mostly used for landscapes and cityscapes, where everything in shot is far enough away to be in focus. However, switching to auto-focus will be useful for closer wide-angle shots.
By comparison, the ultra-wide cameras on the current iPhone 12 models feature an aperture of f/2.4 and a five-element lens. According to the revered analyst, those camera improvements will trickle down to all the new iPhone 14 models to be released in 2022.
Kuo believes that the iPhone 13 models will outsell the iPhone 12 line due to three reasons: the aforementioned camera improvements on the Pro models, more widely available 5G and (barring unknown disruptions) a return to the September timeframe for iPhone launch.
The analyst did not say whether the 2021 or 2022 iPhones will have shorter notches, as has been rumored. Aside from the improved camera sensors, next year’s models should also bring smoother 120Hz ProMotion displays.