The iPhone 13 is expected to be released this month, and we're pretty excited about Apple's upcoming phone. Even those of us who do not end up upgrading to the new iPhone will be curious to see what Apple has in store for us. After all, changes made by Apple to its own phones tend to reverberate throughout the smartphone market.
According to the reports that have been circulating for the better part of this year about the iPhone 13, there will be some significant modifications to Apple's phone. Apple could have a few extra features in mind, especially for its iPhone 13 Pro devices, in addition to the regular array of expected modifications like processor increases and camera advancements.
We've been following these rumors all year, from better refresh rates on displays to possible upgrades to Face ID unlocking. As we wait for Apple to schedule its anticipated fall product launch event, where the iPhone 13 is expected to take center stage, here are the ones that have the Tom's Guide staff thrilled.
Fast-refreshing 120Hz displays on the iPhone 13
I used to assume that high-refresh-rate displays were more of a convenience than a game-changing smartphone feature. But after more than a year of using Android phones with 120Hz displays, I can't imagine going back to a 60Hz display without feeling animosity toward the phone. Despite how much I enjoy my iPhone 12, the 60hz display appears sluggish in comparison to the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Oppo Find X3 Pro.
So I really want — no, require — Apple to include a 120Hz display in the iPhone 13, or at the very least the iPhone 13 Pro. Although I wish it were all four rumored iPhone 13 models, rumors suggest that only the Pro models will get this feature. Still, it's better than nothing.
In combination with the iPhone 12 120 Hz touch sample rate, we can see a screen that feels smart to use in the next sport. I am scared that if not, I am extremely quick to become concerned about the iPhone 13.
Bigger iPhone 13 batteries across the board
The iPhone 12 battery life results were generally underestimated as the first iPhones with 5G. The only exception was the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which lasted 10 hours and 53 minutes, with 150 nits of display shining, and surf the web over 5G. The 12 mini iPhone (7:28), 12 iPhone (8:25) and 12 Pro iPhone (9:06) were of a very short length. It is therefore good to know that this time all four new models of the iPhone 13 are being tipped for bigger batteries.
The iPhone 13 mini is reported to have a battery of 2,406 mAh, up from 12 mini's 2,227 mAh. The regular iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro should be 2.815 to 3.095 mAh because they should be displayed in the same size. A boost from 3,687 mAh to 4,352 mAh is possible on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is therefore supposed to create our best lifetime phone battery, but there are more we can expect.
Face ID that works with masks on the iPhone 13
Now if you use Face ID and wear face masks — you wear one indoor, right? — you're either frustrated or the proud owner of an Apple Watch, who's had a slight added value last year due to an unlocking feature in the iOS 14.5 Update this Spring.
This is not the case, and it is known to Apple. With all the smart features of the company, we are not surprised that Cupertino's experts have reportedly updated Face ID, even with the mask in the face.
As an Apple Watch owner, I won't see much of a gain from this feature (though it will almost certainly improve the functionality, as there is always the chance of an error). I'm mostly looking forward to this because I want everyone to have the same benefit that I do. Not only will being able to use Face ID while wearing a mask be convenient, but it may also encourage people to keep their masks on, which (if it works) could be the best overall effect of the new iPhone.
Emergency calling and texting via satellite
I enjoy hiking a lot, and my family makes it a point to visit at least one National Park each year. The wide vistas, the stunning sights only found in nature, the clean air, and the tranquil settings are just a few of the advantages of spending time in these distant locales. The main disadvantage is that cellular reception is poor in most of these beautiful locations.
I'm not talking about being able to check my email, tweet bucolic photos, or look up the score of a baseball game I'm missing while out in nature. I'm referring to the ability to call someone in the event that something goes horribly wrong and we require medical attention or other emergency assistance. My wife's first-aid kit, which she carries with her everywhere, can only handle so much.
According to a new rumor, Apple is working on a solution to this problem. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst, claims that the iPhone 13 would include hardware that allows it to connect to satellites. Bloomberg added its own report, claiming that Apple is working on a means for iPhones to connect to emergency services even when cellular connectivity is poor or non-existent.
According to reports, the iPhone 13 will have all of the necessary hardware, even if the software won't be ready until next year. Whatever Apple can do to make my iPhone a lifeline when I'm hiking outside of cellular range will be a great bonus.
iPhone 13 astrophotography and portrait mode video
I can't tell you how many times I tried to photograph the moon with the iPhone 12 — and every iPhone before it — and failed miserably. And what about a starry night sky? Put it out of your mind. The good news is that the iPhone 13 is expected to feature a new astrophotography mode that will provide a significant processing increase. Yes, Apple lags behind the Google Pixel in this regard, but I'm hopeful that the iPhone 13 will make up ground quickly.
Portrait mode video is another anticipated computational photography feature for the iPhone 13. Apple would not be the first to offer this capability, as the Galaxy S21 Ultra does. But, based on our tests, the iPhone really popularized portrait photography on phones, and its bokeh effect is usually more convincing than the competition. So I'm particularly interested to see how Apple can make objects stand out while blurring the background in videos.