The iPhone 13 could get a big camera update for all four expected models. However, we are not sure if this means that the front notch will shrink.
A statement from DigiTimes says that we can expect more flight time sensors (ToF) on the iPhone 13, thanks to a new chip manufacturer working with Apple. The report says the sensors will allow for “instantaneous AR immersion experiences.” Augmented reality has failed to take off with the masses, but the iPhone 13 could change that.
ToF sensors are also very helpful when taking photos in low light and capturing portraits, so it’s good news that Apple will continue to use them and possibly add them to more phones.
The DigiTimes report itself is very business-focused. The short bulletin shows that II-VI, an American company, is about to start producing VCSEL chips to enter Apple’s ToF cameras. The source with whom DigiTimes spoke stated that these chips will enter an iPhone 2021 to improve the AR capabilities of the latest generation device, along with others made by companies with existing Apple contracts.
What this means for iPhone users is that the LiDAR sensor that debuted on the iPhone 12 Pro is definitely coming back to the iPhone 13. It is questionable whether Apple will bring it to the iPhone 13 and the basic iPhone 13 Mini or leave it as a Pro-model feature. DigiTimes writes “some of Apple’s next-generation iPhones” when discussing its source claims, which sounds annoying as if the latter were the case.
The claim of a smaller notch, unlike other reports, is not made by DigiTimes, but is a suggestion of GizChina, an outlet that covered the story from the beginning. This is a reasonable assumption to make, since we’ve seen suggestions for a reduced notch since the launch of the iPhone 11, plus new components could mean that Apple can redesign Face ID and camera hardware to make the notch take over less space. However, this idea is not confirmed in any way by the report in question.
We also have LTPO display technology that we look forward to the next iPhone. This recent rumor says that we can expect the same technology used on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra screen to be used on the iPhone 13. This will not only allow it to use a 120Hz refresh rate for the first time on an iPhone, but “I will also allow it to dynamically vary its refresh rate to preserve battery life.
All these upgrades will be essential for the iPhone 13 to take over the Galaxy S21 and other new phones that will be released next year. But since the next iPhone is not expected until next September, there is still a long way to go before we can be sure that this and other recent leaks are correct.