[Video] Apple Unveils 'iPhone 13'... Domestic Release on October 8

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Apple has announced its new smartphone series, the ‘iPhone 13’.

On the 14th (local time), Apple held a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA, unveiling the iPhone 13 series. The iPhone 13 series consists of four models, similar to its predecessor: the ‘iPhone 13 (6.1-inch)’, ‘iPhone 13 Mini (5.4-inch)’, ‘iPhone 13 Pro (6.1-inch)’, and ‘iPhone 13 Pro Max (6.7-inch)’.

Apple 'iPhone 13 Pro'

This series did not bring significant changes in appearance. Unlike the iPhone 12, which first adopted 5G communication and changed its external design after three years, the iPhone 13 only notably reduced the size of the camera notch at the top of the display by 20% compared to its predecessor. However, it is equipped with an OLED-based Super Retina XDR display offering 800 nits of brightness and features a 120Hz variable refresh rate, providing clearer and smoother image quality than before.

While minimizing changes in appearance, the internal performance was enhanced with the new ‘A15 Bionic’ chip. Manufactured using a 5nm (nanometer, one billionth of a meter) process and integrating 15 billion transistors, this chip boosts the iPhone’s performance, allowing it to handle demanding tasks smoothly and efficiently. Apple confidently stated, “It is the fastest CPU ever in a smartphone,” adding that the CPU is up to 50% faster and the GPU up to 30% faster compared to competing products.

By improving integration between hardware and software, battery life has also been extended. The iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 Pro offer 1.5 hours longer battery life than their predecessors, while the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max provide 2.5 hours more.

'Cinematic Mode' Applied to iPhone 13

Apple also emphasized camera and video recording features in this series. The iPhone 13 and Mini, equipped with 12-megapixel ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, improved low-light shooting capabilities by increasing sensor size. The Pro and Pro Max models feature an ultra-wide lens that enables ultra-close shooting with a minimum focus distance of 2 cm. All models include ‘Sensor-shift Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)’ to enhance shooting stability. Additionally, video recording supports a ‘Cinematic Mode’ where the camera focus adjusts freely according to the subject, allowing for movie-like filming.

The domestic retail prices start at 950,000 KRW for the iPhone 13 Mini, 1,090,000 KRW for the iPhone 13, 1,350,000 KRW for the iPhone 13 Pro, and 1,490,000 KRW for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Pre-orders will begin on the 17th in over 30 countries including the United States, China, Japan, and Australia, with in-store sales starting on the 24th. In Korea, the devices will be available for purchase starting July 8.

Color options for the iPhone 13 and Mini include Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red, totaling five colors. The Pro and Pro Max come in Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue, four colors in total. Storage capacities for the Mini and iPhone 13 are 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, while the Pro and Pro Max offer 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options.

Apple 'iPhone 13'