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

26 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With Next Month's iOS 17.2 Update

Wednesday November 22, 2023 10:57 pm PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen two more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 26 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released in December. 1. Help You...
Apple Watch Series 9

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's Apple Watch

Friday November 24, 2023 3:46 am PST by
With all the discounted deals on Apple tech currently available, you might be thinking about upgrading your Apple Watch or buying one for the first time. But if your current smartwatch is doing its job just fine and it's only the idea of a good deal that's piqued your interest, it could be worth holding out until next year when Apple unveils its latest and greatest version. There are already ...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Week Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Week has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find some of the same deals still around for the next few days, although many from Black Friday have now expired. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a...
ipad mini 2021 youtube

What to Expect From the iPad Mini 7 Later in 2024

Friday November 24, 2023 1:00 pm PST by
Over 800 days have passed since Apple last updated the iPad mini, as outlined in the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. Fortunately, a new iPad mini is rumored to be released next year, and we have outlined what to expect from the device below. Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, with new features at the time including a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power...