iPhone 13 series will come with increased battery capacities and wider 5G support over the existing models, a report has predicted, corroborating previous speculations. Apple is also said to embrace a new way to assemble iPhone cameras that could help reduce costs to some extent. Separately, component supplier Foxconn has predicted that there could be a shortage in supply of the iPhone 13 components due to ongoing production constraints. The new iPhone models are expected to launch sometime in September.
iPhone 13 rumors
The first set of rumours regarding the 2018 iPhone models surfaced in late August, and per usual, several media outlets were all over it. They claimed that the iPhone 12s is going to be a minor upgrade over the iPhone 11, with some minor features like the vertically aligned dual rear camera and a 5-inch screen size. Apple is likely to feature dual SIM support in this model. The second set of iPhone 12s rumours, as spotted by MySmartPrice, claimed that the iPhone 11s and iPhone 11s Plus will be powered by a newer A12 processor. It is likely to be coupled with three storage options - 64GB, 256GB and 512GB. Some leaked details also indicated that the iPhone 11s Plus will have an LCD display panel, whereas the iPhone 11s will have an OLED display panel.
iPhone 13 features
As per a report in Japan's Nikkei, Apple is planning to use two-cell batteries in the upcoming iPhone 13 models, compared to the traditional four-cell batteries that it uses in the iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 models. The report claims that the change is aimed at supporting the anticipated features. The newer batteries are expected to improve performance by 20 percent and cut production costs by 10 percent. However, this will not make much of a difference in terms of the battery life of the new models, given that Apple already improved battery life in its previous models. Apple could include two battery cells per battery module in the next iPhone, thereby reducing battery production costs by around 10 percent.
Price of the new models
One of the major points of difference between the new iPhone and its predecessors is the design and the display panel. The new iPhones are expected to sport bigger bezels on top and bottom as well as an OLED display panel. The smaller model is expected to have a 6.1-inch display and the biggest model will have a 6.5-inch screen. Both will be the cheaper variant of the new iPhone series. Additionally, one report has claimed that the LCD variants of the new iPhone will be priced around $749 (Rs 45,638 approx) while the OLED variants will be priced starting at $799 (Rs 54,839 approx). There will also be an Xr variant with 6.1-inch display. In contrast, the OLED variants of the existing iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are priced in the range of $899 (Rs 56,807) to $999 (Rs 68,099) in the US.
Release date of the new models
While Apple is expected to officially reveal the new iPhone models sometime in September, CNBC now reports that the 5.8-inch iPhone model will be made available only in the second half of 2019, and will go on sale in September 2019. That seems to make sense because the firm doesn't need a large number of units to meet sales expectations. The current 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone models are the most popular ones from Apple's stable. If it can get more people to buy 5.8-inch and 6.1-inch models, which will also be sold in September 2019, then it can boost sales in that period. A recent report by UBS found that Chinese sales of Apple devices was strong in the first half of this year, and that total market share was the highest since 2011.
Conclusion
In the above table, we take a look at the major iPhone launch events from 2018. Each year, Apple introduces its new iPhone models in the fall. However, in 2018, Apple released the iPhone 8 series in September instead of September. Similarly, the iPhone XS series came in October last year. The reasons for a shift in release schedule are myriad. Let's get back to the main discussion point. For the first time in two years, the iPhone may launch later than usual. If you look at the chart above, it is becoming increasingly clear that Apple is unlikely to launch the iPhone 13 series in September this year. If history is any guide, Apple could launch the iPhone 13 series in October.
You must be logged in to post a comment.