iPhone 13 — here’s how Apple can convince people to upgrade

iPhone 13 — here's how Apple tree tin convince people to upgrade

(Image credit: LeaksApplePro/Vova LD)

By whatever measurement, terminal year'due south iPhone 12 was a rip-roaring success for Apple. All iv models received rave reviews, and phone buyers voted with their wallets, pushing Apple tree revenues to record highs. The iPhone 12 gave Apple tree the take chances to demonstrate its continued mastery with mobile photography and they ushered in the 5G era for iPhone users.

And so what does Apple practice for an encore?

We'll discover out Tuesday (Sept. 14) at the Apple issue. Apple hasn't tipped its hand at exactly what products are being launched, but the timing of the event matches the early on September debuts of previous iPhone models. That has Apple tree observers thinking the iPhone 13 is a pretty solid bet to testify up this Tuesday.

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Rumors well-nigh the iPhone 13 have given us a fairly consummate pic of what to expect. Nosotros'll likely become the same four configurations as last year with a 5.4-inch iPhone xiii mini, 2 6.1-inch models — 1 the standard iPhone 13, the other a iPhone 13 Pro model — and a 6.7-inch iPhone thirteen Pro Max that figures to be the marquee offer in Apples telephone lineup. Y'all'll see the usual array of improvements, from a faster A Serial processor to bigger batteries and the usual complement of photographic camera enhancements.

Why exercise we demand to upgrade? That'due south the biggest question.

— Ramon Llamas, IDC

If that sounds like an evolutionary update rather than a revolutionary one, that's precisely what the iPhone 13 figures to be. (In fact, at one point, a rumor suggested that this batch of phones might go past the iPhone 12s name, every bit they'll be that closely related to the iPhone 12 models that came before them.) And that'south non necessarily a bad matter — even a pocket-sized iPhone update is certain to generate significant enthusiasm, especially amidst people who've been holding on to their phones for more 2 years.

Nonetheless, Apple tree heads into Tuesday's likely iPhone thirteen launch facing the same challenge it does any time there's a new phone to introduce. "Why practise we need to upgrade? That's the biggest question," said Ramon Llamas, enquiry director at market research house IDC.

Specifically, afterwards the iPhone 12 introduced 5G — and benefitted from the pent-up demand for an Apple tree device supporting the faster wireless technology — Apple needs to discover yet another feature or two that makes people want to adopt the new telephone, Llamas adds.

"Now that the first wave of 5G is behind us, Apple needs to tout a new must-have feature to get people to upgrade," he said. "We tin bet on improved camera features, just we've gotten used to that over the years. Same affair with faster processor and a faster recharging bombardment."

How the iPhone xiii could stand out

Apple may not be able to revolutionize its smartphones with the iPhone 13 release — not unless yous consider the possibility of a smaller notch on all four models to be a revolutionary change — but in that location are improvements information technology tin can brand that should go on the upgrade party going. And judging from some contempo leaks well-nigh potential iPhone 13 features, camera improvements could be a big part of Apple's strategy.

iPhone 13 Pro Max dummy unit — (Image credit: Unbox Therapy/YouTube)

This past week, leaker Max Weinbach reported that the iPhone 13 cameras could feature sensors that let in more light — a move that would meliorate picture quality in depression-light settings. Apple is also reportedly planning improvements to its Nighttime Mode characteristic that aim to ameliorate colors and also improve capture the night sky. That's an expanse where Apple's camera phones accept lagged backside the competition from Google, and then that's definitely an surface area we hope to run into Apple address with the iPhone xiii.

Camera improvements for the iPhone 13 take been a regular role of the rumor process during the past year. Other potential improvements coming to the iPhone 13 include the addition of a portrait mode when capturing video that volition blur the background and the extension of sensor shift stabilization across all iPhone models. (Information technology'southward currently limited to the iPhone 12 Pro Max.) The iPhone thirteen Pro models have been tipped to get an ultrawide bending camera with a 6-element lens, an improvement over the five-element lens on current models. That could assistance remove the distortion effectually the edges of broad-angle photos while besides letting in more light.

Speaking of the iPhone thirteen Pro and iPhone xiii Pro Max, this could be the year when Apple really extends the feature gap between those more expensive models and the standard and mini iPhones. One of the chief rumors surrounding the iPhone 13 is that the Pro models will characteristic displays with adaptive refresh rates, matching a feature offered by rival Android flagships. That volition allow the iPhone thirteen Pro models to heave their refresh charge per unit to 120Hz in situations that would benefit from things smoother scrolling; the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are expected to retain 60Hz refresh rates.

Neither camera improvements nor a feature already adopted by other flagship phones are world-shattering changes. But if y'all've got an iPhone XS or later, those are the kind of noticeable upgrades that may convince you it's time to move on from your older iPhone.

iPhone 13: Upgrade or wait?

Apple may face greater challenges than disarming people to upgrade to the iPhone xiii. In that location's also the matter of having enough new phones on hand to meet need.

While Apple tree isn't facing anything like the pandemic-triggered delays that pushed the iPhone 12's launch into October 2020 and forced the company to stagger the phones release, there is a global chip shortage going on. Reportedly, constraints on legacy components used in smartphones may bear on Apple's ability to continue upwards with demand, at least initially.

"The biggest question Apple needs to answer is if it can source enough components to meet demand," said Avi Greengart, founder and lead annotator at Techsponential. "Apple has had better availability than many rivals during the pandemic, but Apple also operates at a calibration that few others match."

There's no denying Apple has a tough human action to follow after the iPhone 12'southward success. While Llama agreed that the will be a big wave of upgrades this year — "that volition happen regardless," he told me — he's non sure it will be pronounced as it was when the first 5G iPhones debuted a yr agone.

Greengart is more bullish. "Need for the Telephone 12 has been strong even in typically slow quarters," he said. "As carriers curlicue out meaningful 5G coverage I await the iPhone upgrade marketplace to remain strong."

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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has strong opinions nigh Apple tree, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.