What Can We Expect From the iPhone 13's Design? [Updated]

The iPhone 12 premiered with a new design, featuring squared-off edges and slimmer bezels, but questions around the design of 2021's iPhone 13 have already started gathering pace.

iPhone 12 Purple

Well-connected display analyst Ross Young expects the ‌iPhone 13‌ lineup to look very similar to ‌iPhone 12‌ lineup, encompassing one 6.7-inch "iPhone 13 Pro Max" model, one 6.1-inch "‌iPhone 13 Pro‌," one 6.1-inch "‌iPhone 13‌," and one 5.4-inch "‌iPhone 13‌ mini" model.

Supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also reiterated Young's prediction of four models in the same sizes as the ‌iPhone 12‌ lineup. With each model retaining the same screen size as its predecessor, it follows that it is unlikely that the devices will see significant changes to design or form-factor.

It also is important to consider the fact that the ‌iPhone 12‌ saw a considerable design overhaul. Apple does not usually follow a major redesign with another redesign the year later, so it is highly likely that the designs will remain largely the same. It is not out of the question, however, that the ‌iPhone 13‌'s color palette will be refreshed, but there have not yet been any reliable reports about this.

One leaker believes Apple will introduce a smaller notch on the ‌iPhone 13‌, refining the existing front design. Rather than being shorter in width, they suggest that the notch may have a reduced height to make it less noticeable and better able to blend into the top of the iPhone. It therefore seems that the ‌iPhone 13‌ may be more of an elevation of the ‌iPhone 12‌'s design rather than a complete overhaul.

Beyond design, other notable rumored ‌iPhone 13‌ features include a 120Hz-capable ProMotion display, the A15 chip, and an upgraded ultra-wide camera.

Although Apple's ‌iPhone 12‌ lineup did not launch in September as expected due to production delays, the 2021 ‌iPhone‌ lineup will likely be unveiled in the fall of 2021, with the company likely aiming to return to its traditional September launch timeline.

Updated: Before the ‌iPhone 12‌ lineup was revealed, Mac Otakara revealed some 3D-printed mockups of a 5.4-inch ‌iPhone 13‌ mini, reportedly based on information from sources inside Chinese company Alibaba, which now appears to be the theoretical successor to the iPhone 12 mini.

Although the design is similar to the ‌iPhone 12 mini‌, there are some noteworthy changes. Most obviously, the mockup features no notch for the TrueDepth camera system, and instead, there is a FaceTime front-facing camera located under the display. The mockup also comes with the suggestion that the ‌iPhone 13‌ may replace the Lightning port with a USB-C port.

Overall, the design retains the squared-off edges of the ‌iPhone 12‌, and in light of the other rumors to date, it seems likely that the general design of the ‌iPhone 13‌ will be the same as the ‌iPhone 12‌, with internal upgrades being more significant.

Related Roundup: iPhone 13
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....