In a note to clients — as noted by MacRumors — analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that though the iPhone 12 lineup launched later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production of so-called iPhone 13 models with a new A15 chip won’t face the same issues.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models launched on October 23, followed by the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 13. Normally, new iPhones are announced in September and go sale that month or October. If Kuo is correct — and this track record is pretty good — we should see the iPhone 13 ship in September or October.
Rumors about the next Apple smartphone have already started. Kuo says the iPhone 13 will come in the same four model sizes as this year’s iPhone 12, but with some major improvements to the camera technology. The analyst — whose predications are usually very accurate — says the Ultra Wide cameras on the two high-end models will be significantly upgraded to f/1.8, 6P (six-element lens) with autofocus.
Another rumor: Apple will adopt OLED displays with low-power LPTO backplane technology from LG Display for at least two smartphone models in 2021, according to Korean website The Elec.
A low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display is a special kind of backplane technology designed for OLED screens and developed by Apple. LG Display is planning to put in low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LPTO) thin-film transistors (TFT) equipment that can add 25,000 substrates per month in monthly production rate into the lines by next year, according to The Elec.
LPTO tech allows a variable refresh rate of 120Hz for a smooth display and is able to optimize battery life. LTPO displays can already be seen on the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6.
Such tech would help bring 120Hz ProMotion screens to the iPhone. According to Apple, ProMotion tech “delivers refresh rates of up to 120Hz for fluid scrolling, greater responsiveness and smoother motion content.”
