It's only a few months since Apple unveiled the iPhone 12, but that never stops us from looking forward to what our favourite tech company has in store when it updates the iPhone again in late 2021. That's right: we're talking about the iPhone 13.

In this article we round up everything we know so far about the iPhone 13 - or, perhaps, the iPhone 12s - including its likely release date, new features, design and tech specs.

The latest news on the Apple grapevine is that the iPhone 13 will offer better cameras across the range and improved 5G capabilities.

When will the iPhone 13 be released?

We expect the iPhone 13 to launch in September 2021.

Up until this year, Apple has been quite consistent with the release dates of its iPhones. Usually, the new handsets are announced at the beginning of September and released a week or so later.

Occasionally we see a few outliers, such as the iPhone X and XR which launched in November and October respectively (although they were announced in September)... and then there's the iPhone SE range that has so far been a spring fixture. But mostly it's September.

iPhone 12: Released October/November 2020
iPhone SE (2020): April 2020
iPhone 11: September 2019
iPhone XR: October 2018
iPhone XS: September 2018
iPhone X: November 2017
iPhone 8: September 2017
iPhone 7: September 2016
iPhone SE: March 2016
iPhone 6s: September 2015
iPhone 6: September 2014
iPhone 5s: September 2013
iPhone 5: September 2012
iPhone 4s: October 2011
iPhone 4: June 2010
iPhone 3GS: June 2009
iPhone 3G: July 2008
iPhone: June 2007

COVID-19 caused a good deal of disruption in the Apple supply chain, which subsequently delayed the launch of the iPhone 12 and its stablemates until October 2020. (In fact two of the models didn't go on sale until November.) But assuming that things return to a semblance of normality this year, the iPhone 13 should return to its traditional place in the calendar, with a September 2021 release.

It's possible, of course, that we'll get the iPhone SE 3 before then... but we wouldn't bet on it.

What will the next iPhone be called?

If that turns out to be the name of the late 2021 iPhone - and it's entirely possible that Apple is spreading misinformation to mislead rivals or flush out leakers - this would represent an unexpected return to what always seemed like an odd policy.

From 2009 to 2015, the company followed a 'tick-tock' strategy with its phone releases, alternating between major, full-number updates in even years (iPhone 4, 5, 6) and minor, S-designated updates (4s, 5s, 6s) in the odd years. But this had the obvious effect of discouraging people from updating in the S years because Apple itself appeared to be admitting that not much had changed.

The iPhone 6s was the last of that sequence and the three generations afterwards were tagged with a full-number bump - indeed one of them, the legitimately radical iPhone X update, leapt forward two numbers in a single bound. We thought the S strategy was dead and buried.

But it rose again in 2018, when Apple launched the XS and XS Max, and following two consecutive full-number updates (11 and 12) it sounds like it may appear again in 2021.

Maybe Apple is just worried about the number 13's 'unlucky' associations in some countries, and plans to skip from the iPhone 12s to 14 in 2022.

How much will the iPhone 13 cost?

The iPhone 13 is likely to start at a price of around £799/$799.

iPhone pricing can be something of a moveable feast. The past few standard models have come with the following price tags:

iPhone X: £999/$999
iPhone XS: £999/$999
iPhone 11: £729/$699
iPhone 12: £799/$799

Now, the introduction of the iPhone Pro range that coincided with the iPhone 11 does explain the sudden drop, as it marks a bifurcation of the lineup. But, as you can see, the price of the iPhone 12 jumps up by £70/$100 when compared to its predecessor.

At the moment the range has a pattern that we think Apple may be settling on, with the following tiers:

iPhone SE - £399/$399
iPhone XR - £499/$499
iPhone 11 - £599/$599
iPhone 12 mini - £699/$699
iPhone 12 - £799/$799
iPhone 12 Pro - £999/$999
iPhone 12 Pro Max - £1,099/$1,099

This gives potential buyers choices all the way up the price scale, with clear separation between the available devices. With this in mind, we expect Apple to stick with this structure and bring in the iPhone 13 at around £799/$799 and any mini or Pro models directly replacing their older siblings.

Screen updates and new features

According to the trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, we will get the same screen sizes next year: 5.4in, 6.1in and 6.7in. But what new features will Apple add to the iPhone display in 2021?

There are also rumours - based on a patent Apple applied for in February 2020 - that a future iPhone could have touch sensitive sides. A kind of wraparound screen.

There's a concept video that looks into this idea. For more information, read Concept video shows iPhone 13 with touchscreen edges.

ProMotion/120Hz refresh rate

Many thought the iPhone 12, or at least the 12 Pro models, would come with updates to the display refresh rates.

With a wide range of Android devices already boasting 90Hz or even 120Hz refresh rates, the 60Hz on Apple's displays seemed to be falling behind. This was surprising, given the company's iPad Pro range has taken advantage of these faster speeds for a while to enable their ProMotion feature.

It was disappointing, then, when the iPhone 12 range arrived with only 60Hz on offer. But of course, this leaves the door open for Apple to introduce the faster displays on the iPhone 13.

To see why this would be a big deal, read our coverage of why display experts say you should wait for iPhone 13.

New iPhone 13 release date, price & specs: Display

Energy-efficient LTPO displays

There's also the recurring rumour that Apple will use LTPO display technology, as found on the Apple Watch, for the iPhone 13. This could bring the advantage of lower power drain, boosting battery life in the new models. The technology can extend battery performance by up to 15%.

Sources have since added further weight to the LTPO rumour, and now say the energy-efficient screens are likely to be supplied principally by LG Display, although Korean site The Elec reckons Samsung will get the gig.

Smaller notch for Face ID

Another area of the display that needs work is the notch. While Apple users have grown used to the intrusion at the top of their screens, the notch remains a divisive feature.

With this in mind it will be an encouragement to many that tech tipster Ice Universe reported recently that the notch on the iPhone 13 will be shorter than that of the iPhone 12. How much of a difference is still unclear, but anything that reduces the black box at the top of the display will be a welcome addition.

Embedded Touch ID scanner

Face ID is fast and secure, but in our new post-COVID world where masks are a regular part of most people's wardrobes, there are many occasions when Touch ID would be more useful. Of course, Apple is unlikely to bring back the Home button now that it has its nearly edge-to-edge displays, but there is another option.

Embedding a fingerprint scanner under the display is something we've seen on Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 and OnePlus 8T, and there are rumours that Apple will do likewise.

Leak leviathan Jon Prosser gave the nod to a tweet from fellow tipster @L0vetodream, who stated rather cryptically "MESA uts for iPhone". Apparently this is deciphered as MESA (Touch ID) uts (under the screen) for iPhone (well, we think you can work that one out).

And in January 2021 both a Bloomberg report and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that the 2021 iPhone will have Touch ID below the screen and no Lightning port.

Apple has since been granted a patent for an under-screen fingerprint scanner, so it's clearly on the company's mind.

Of course, with the new iPad Air including Touch ID in the power button instead, Apple may decide that this solves the problem in a neater fashion.

New iPhone 13 release date, price & specs: Touch ID

iPhone 13 tech specs

The next generation of iPhones will feature boosted specifications across the board, from upgraded processors to improved cameras. Here's what we've seen rumoured so far.

A15 Bionic processor

We don't know much about the A15 except that it will be faster than the A14 (obviously) and based on an improved 5 nanometre (5nm) production process from supplier TSMC. This will make it more efficient than the current A14 chip in the iPhone 12 series.

The big jump in terms of processors, however, is likely to come in 2022. The A16 in the iPhone 14 will be 4nm and we can therefore expect significant gains in energy efficiency.

Sources say the iPhone 13 will have much better cameras than the iPhone 12. At this point sceptics will be shouting at their laptops a) that's both extremely vague and extremely obvious and b) exactly how much better do cameras need to get?

Let's get a bit more specific.

Based on news that Apple has come to an agreement with Sony for the latter company to provide LiDAR scanners for the next three years it is thought that all iPhone 13 models will feature LiDAR (this technology is currently only offered by the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max models).

The LiDAR technology enables users to measure and map a 3D space. This can be used for probably for AR (e.g games and interior design), and for photography improvements (e.g focusing in the dark or low light). Read our guide to LiDAR for more information.

In addition to this change, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the ultra-wide-angle lens (which we expect to appear in the two Pro models only) will have its aperture changed from f2.4 to f1.8. This will double the amount of light that can be admitted and improve low-light performance. The ultra-wide lens will also get autofocus, which should improve close-up work.

However, in later guidance in January 2021 Kuo suggested that there wouldn't in fact be a new camera for the iPhone 13. Kuo suggested in a note to investors that Kuo we will not see new camera lenses in this autumn's models of iPhone. For more detail on this story, read iPhone 13 camera lenses will be same as 12 - Kuo.

But we're the first to admit that the 12-series iPhones have extremely good cameras, and it's debatable how much of a difference these upgrades will make.

A January 2021 report suggested the cameras of the iPhone 13 could be about 0.9mm larger and be entirely covered with sapphire glass. Read more about that story here: iPhone 13 will look like iPhone 12 with smaller notch (and bigger camera).

There are already rumours about the iPhone 14, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming that by 2022 the iPhone will have 10x optical zoom. For the full story, read Analyst: In two years iPhone will have 10x optical zoom.

US iPhone 12 models offer mmWave - but elsewhere this form of 5G isn't offered. That may change with the iPhone 13. Apple is said to have made a large order for mmWave antenna - which should mean that the UK and other countries will get faster 5G with the iPhone 13.

The theoretical maximum speed for mmWave is 1-2 gigabits per second, compared to the 100-400 megabits offered by Sub-6 GHz. However, Sub-6 GHz offers a longer range, which is to the benefit of users outside the big cities. Read about the 5G coverage problems faced by the iPhone 12 in the UK.

1TB of storage

Well-known technology leaker Jon Prosser has indicated via his Twitter account that the iPhone 13 could come with twice as much storage as current models.

hope y’all are ready for 1TB iphones
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 28, 2020

While few users need that much storage space, those who film in high resolution may benefit. Read more here: iPhone 13 could get 1TB of storage.

No more Lightning port

One of the stranger rumours that seems to be picking up traction is that Apple will ditch the Lightning port on the iPhone 13.

"Well, what's so strange about that?" you may ask, as most Apple products now use USB-C. Ah, but we didn't say there would be a replacement port. Instead the rumours from Jon Prosser and Fudge state that the iPhone 13 will have no ports at all.

Rather than rely on cables for charging, all power will be delivered wirelessly. It's a bit weird, as it instantly renders many accessories and power banks redundant, but that's never stopped Apple in the past.

For more information about what Apple will launch over the next 12 months, read our guide to the New Apple products coming out in 2021.

New iPhone 13 release date, price & specs rumours

We examine the latest rumours about the iPhone 13 - or, perhaps, iPhone 12s. From release date, tech specs and price to the design and new features, here's what to expect in late 2021

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