Apple's 'iPhone 13' rumored to adopt slimmer TrueDepth notch, flush rear camera module
Apple's next iPhone model, expected for release this fall, could feature a slimmer TrueDepth "notch" and a slightly thicker body that could be related to tweaks to the rear-facing camera array, according to a new report.
Citing sources from within Apple's Chinese supply chain, Mac Otakara reports "iPhone 13" will integrate small but important design changes to allow for a slimming of the phone's TrueDepth package.
Specifically, the unit's ear speaker is expected to be repositioned toward the edge of the display near the chassis. While not detailed in today's report, the design could see the speaker take up residence in iPhone's bezel.
Current iPhone models with Face ID cradle the speaker between important -- and physically large -- components, with the system's dot projector and front-facing full-color camera to the right, and infrared flood illuminator and infrared camera to the left. Apple miniaturized certain TrueDepth components in iPhone 12, but the process failed to yield a smaller "notch" region as rumored last year.
Similar rumors circulated in April 2019, when supposedly leaked schematics illustrated plans to push the receiver into the bezel region above TrueDepth. Those changes were initially predicted to materialize in iPhone 12, but the current lineup's TrueDepth array is largely identical to preceding models.
Today's report also notes that "iPhone 13's" rear camera unit will be 0.9 mm thicker on all next-gen models. Instead of a camera "bump" with protruding lenses, the new design will boast an integrated unit with each camera module flush mounted and potentially covered by a slab of sapphire glass, sources said.
Further, camera units in the so-called "iPhone 13 Pro" and "iPhone 13 Pro Max" are said to be identical in size, suggesting the lower tier model will gain sensor-shift optical image stabilization in 2021. Apple expanded the camera bump on iPhone 12 Pro Max to accommodate a 47% larger wide angle sensor, which was also the first iPhone camera module to benefit from sensor-shift stabilization.
Finally, "iPhone 13" is expected to carry over the iPhone 4-inspired design that debuted with last year's handset, though chassis thickness will increase by 0.26 mm, the report said.
Citing sources from within Apple's Chinese supply chain, Mac Otakara reports "iPhone 13" will integrate small but important design changes to allow for a slimming of the phone's TrueDepth package.
Specifically, the unit's ear speaker is expected to be repositioned toward the edge of the display near the chassis. While not detailed in today's report, the design could see the speaker take up residence in iPhone's bezel.
Current iPhone models with Face ID cradle the speaker between important -- and physically large -- components, with the system's dot projector and front-facing full-color camera to the right, and infrared flood illuminator and infrared camera to the left. Apple miniaturized certain TrueDepth components in iPhone 12, but the process failed to yield a smaller "notch" region as rumored last year.
Similar rumors circulated in April 2019, when supposedly leaked schematics illustrated plans to push the receiver into the bezel region above TrueDepth. Those changes were initially predicted to materialize in iPhone 12, but the current lineup's TrueDepth array is largely identical to preceding models.
Today's report also notes that "iPhone 13's" rear camera unit will be 0.9 mm thicker on all next-gen models. Instead of a camera "bump" with protruding lenses, the new design will boast an integrated unit with each camera module flush mounted and potentially covered by a slab of sapphire glass, sources said.
Further, camera units in the so-called "iPhone 13 Pro" and "iPhone 13 Pro Max" are said to be identical in size, suggesting the lower tier model will gain sensor-shift optical image stabilization in 2021. Apple expanded the camera bump on iPhone 12 Pro Max to accommodate a 47% larger wide angle sensor, which was also the first iPhone camera module to benefit from sensor-shift stabilization.
Finally, "iPhone 13" is expected to carry over the iPhone 4-inspired design that debuted with last year's handset, though chassis thickness will increase by 0.26 mm, the report said.
Comments
Until then, my iPhone X works just fine.
I prefer Apple's choices..
Hate it when knockoffs claim they're better than Apple because they have a smaller notch that doesn't have half the features and still have a chin. lol
iKnockoff morons claimed Apple copied Essential Phone iKnockoff when they developed the notch because Essential had a camera hole.
Fast forward and Sammy makes a camera hole on their knockoff iPhones and it isn't a "notch" anymore.
iKnockoff morons conveniently change definitions to make Sammy look like some innovator.
Huawei not only made it smaller but added more functionality (AI screen rotation, 'always on' display but only when you are actually looking at the screen, AI Private View, horizontal unlock etc) . They also made the bezels smaller.
Then they took the notch and put the same contents in a pill hole punch.
Which is better? That depends on your viewpoint. Right now, if you were to ask me, I'd say that a hole punch looks better.
I have a notch on my phone and it's never been a problem for me but I can understand that it is for some people. Notches now also look very dated.
Yes, course Apple will continue to develop their IP. Why wouldn't they?
Everyone else will develop theirs too.