iPhone 13 rumors: Good with masks, September 24, costs more?

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 13 next month and we’ve seen a flurry of rumor and speculation break out in the last few hours. Here’s what we know, think we know, or perhaps aren’t being told:

iPhone 13 will be iPhone 13

Superstitious people may skip an upgrade this time around as a photo depicting an alleged packaging stickerfor the iPhone calls it “iPhone 13”. This follows some speculation Apple may call it something else because thirteen is unlucky, or something.

iPhone 13 may be more expensive

The global chip supply shortage is driving up costs and it looks like Apple’s chip supplier, TSMC, may have raised costs slightly, according to Digitimes. Though other reports have said Apple has been able to source its chips well ahead of time, which may help protect prices. But I think an uptick is possible.

iPhone 13 pre-orders September 17?

A Chinese website gained a nice traffic bounce on strength of claims that the iPhone will be available for pre-order September 17 and ships September 24. It will be available in as iPhone, iPhone mini, iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max. This suggests a special event in the next three weeks.

iPhone 13: Can’t get the staff

Foxconn is doing all it can to recruit 200,000 more people it thinks it needs to make these iPhones in time. The factory can make up to half a million smartphones each day. Wedbush estimates Apple may ship up to 150 million iPhones by the end of the year.

iPhone 13: Plays nice with masks?

A report claims Apple has been working to build a new version of Face ID that works with masks and foggy glasses.

iPhone 13: mmWave push

More iPhones in more markets will offer support for the faster mmWve 5G standard.

iPhone 13: Demand seems strong

Turns out the record-breaking iPhone 12 demand will continue with iPhone 13.

One more thing: AirPods September 30

The new ones are coming and they’ll be more like the AirPods Pro.

And as reported in July:

A15 chips, AMOLED Displays

We’ve all been expecting these iPhones will boast 5nm A15 processors and AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It may have reverse charging

AirPods running low on power? Just pop them on top of your iPhone to charge them up again. That’s what may happen if it’s true that Apple plans to integrate larger wireless charging coils in the device, one potential use of which is reverse charging.

It may have stronger MagSafe magnets

Another possibility is that the larger coils may let Apple use stronger MagSafe magnets. Not sure how that will impact pacemakers, however.

It may have a better wide-angle camera

We’ve recently heard claims iPhone 13’s will have automatic focus, along with optical image stabilization, portrait mode for video and an astrophotography mode.

The Pro will have the best camera

The iPhone 13 Pro will apparently have an improved ultra-wide camera and autofocus mode, with a 6-piece lens. These features will be made available across the iPhone range in 2022, one rumor-monger claims.

The colors?

There have been a rash of suggestions, including: Black, Pink, Purple, Orange, Product Red, White, Blue, Gold/Silver. Not all of these will make the cut, I imagine.

And in previous claims…

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made ten additional claims earlier this year, including a smaller notch, bigger batteries and more. Read them here.

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