[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] The launch of Apple's new smartphone series, the 'iPhone 13,' is just around the corner.
Attention is focused on whether it can surpass the record-breaking sales of its predecessor, Apple's first 5G smartphone. The key issue is how much Apple will fill the gap left by China's Huawei, whose smartphone shipments have plummeted due to U.S. government sanctions, and the 'Galaxy Note,' which will not be released in the second half of this year.
◆Likely to be unveiled on the 14th
According to industry sources and foreign media on the 5th, Apple is expected to hold an iPhone 13 unveiling event on the 14th and officially launch it on the 24th of the same month. Some speculate the release date might be the 17th, but that could be the pre-order date. Apple has not yet announced the official schedule. Media invitations are expected to be sent out soon.
The new iPhone is almost certainly going to be called the iPhone 13. Labels leaked from China clearly show the words "iPhone 13" along with a statement that Apple, located in California, designed it and it was assembled in China. Initially, there was speculation within and outside the industry that the new iPhone might have a different name instead of iPhone 13, considering Western aversion to the number 13.
As with the previous iPhone 12 lineup, it is known that four models will be released: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Battery capacity is expected to increase, and camera specifications are anticipated to be significantly improved compared to the previous generation.
According to information disclosed by a Chinese IT tipster, the battery capacities are ▲iPhone 13 Mini 2406mAh ▲iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro 3095mAh ▲iPhone 13 Pro Max 4325mAh. With larger batteries, the weight may increase slightly. Additionally, it is evaluated that the Apple A15 Bionic chipset will be installed, improving power efficiency over the previous model. There are also expectations that a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication function will be included, allowing calls and texts in areas without 4G or 5G base stations.
◆Significant camera improvements... design largely unchanged
The area expected to see the most change is the camera. All models are expected to be equipped with an ultra-wide-angle camera and an improved f/1.8 aperture compared to the previous model's f/2.4. This will enable clearer photos even at night. The sensor-shift stabilization technology applied to the iPhone 12 Pro Max will also be supported, allowing shake-free photography even in situations where stabilizing the camera is difficult.
Furthermore, the Pro models are said to feature upgraded Pro Max-level lenses. Guo Mingchi, a researcher at TF International Securities, stated that the iPhone 13 Pro series will include an ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus. Other expected features include professional-grade ProRes video recording and 'Cinematic Video,' which focuses on the subject while blurring the background.
The much-anticipated in-display Touch ID feature remains uncertain. Since the release of the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has applied facial recognition 'Face ID.' Bloomberg reported, "Apple tested in-display Touch ID but it will not be included this year." Researcher Guo Mingchi predicted that the new iPhone coming next year might include Touch ID. Instead, Apple is expected to enhance Face ID to accurately identify users even when wearing masks or partially covering the face.
Looking at the currently released expected renderings, the overall design of the iPhone 13 is similar to its predecessor. The notch at the top of the screen for the front camera is reduced in size. The rear cameras, previously aligned vertically, will be arranged diagonally. There are also leaks suggesting the return of the Rose Gold color for the first time in five years since 2016.
◆Apple expects record-breaking success
Industry insiders expect the iPhone 13 to achieve record-breaking success similar to its predecessor. The iPhone 12, Apple's first 5G smartphone released last year, sold over 100 million units by April this year and gained popularity, coupled with the global consumer sentiment recovering due to the spread of COVID-19 vaccinations. Apple is reportedly increasing orders for the A15 processor to up to 100 million units for the iPhone 13.
Particularly, attention is focused on who will capture the premium smartphone market share in China, replacing Huawei, which has been hit hard in the smartphone business. It is explained that Chinese users are more likely to choose Apple over Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.
With Samsung Electronics not releasing the 'Note' series, a 'cash cow' model with cumulative sales nearing 10 million units per series, in the second half of this year, where that demand will go is also a key issue. Initially, Apple was expected to benefit, but the unexpectedly strong performance of Samsung's third-generation foldable phones, the 'Galaxy Z Flip3' and 'Galaxy Z Fold3,' is a variable.
Some suggest that the iPhone 13 might be overshadowed by the record-breaking success of the iPhone 12. Due to a lack of innovative features compared to its predecessor and strong sales of the iPhone 12 through the first half of this year, demand for the iPhone 13 might decrease. It has also been observed that Samsung's recently released Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 have received praise for their form factor design and are attracting some existing iPhone users.
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