Vertical Divider
Apple Expected to Make Minor Upgrades for the iPhone 13
Apple is set to release the iPhone 13 in the fall and it won’t diverge much from last year's flagship in design or price. Apple does have some changes afoot. Expect Apple to catch up to the market as the iPhone 13's display will have a 120Hz refresh rate (always-on OLED display) and expect the iPhone 13's cameras to be upgraded over the iPhone 12 to possibly include an added periscope camera to improve zoom, an improved ultrawide-angle lens for night mode photography, and lidar technology on all models, instead of just the Pro and Pro Max, as was the case with the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 could bring back Touch ID for the first time since the iPhone 8, with an embedded sensor under the screen, instead of as a separate button. The UPS would be a great addition since Face ID doesn't work when wearing a mask (unless using an Apple Watch and iOS 14.5). But then again, face masks are 2021. Now that Apple has introduced MagSafe charging capabilities, Kuo predicts that the iPhone 13 models will still include Lightning ports, with the exception of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which could be completely portless. The iPhone 12, by contrast, features a Lightning port on all four models. AS indicated in the next figure, the iPhone 13 may be a bit thicker than the 12.
Apple is set to release the iPhone 13 in the fall and it won’t diverge much from last year's flagship in design or price. Apple does have some changes afoot. Expect Apple to catch up to the market as the iPhone 13's display will have a 120Hz refresh rate (always-on OLED display) and expect the iPhone 13's cameras to be upgraded over the iPhone 12 to possibly include an added periscope camera to improve zoom, an improved ultrawide-angle lens for night mode photography, and lidar technology on all models, instead of just the Pro and Pro Max, as was the case with the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 could bring back Touch ID for the first time since the iPhone 8, with an embedded sensor under the screen, instead of as a separate button. The UPS would be a great addition since Face ID doesn't work when wearing a mask (unless using an Apple Watch and iOS 14.5). But then again, face masks are 2021. Now that Apple has introduced MagSafe charging capabilities, Kuo predicts that the iPhone 13 models will still include Lightning ports, with the exception of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which could be completely portless. The iPhone 12, by contrast, features a Lightning port on all four models. AS indicated in the next figure, the iPhone 13 may be a bit thicker than the 12.
Regarding the iPhone Fold, Ming Chi Kuo suggests a 2023 release date if it ever happens. According to Kuo, Apple still needs to figure out technology and mass production issues before bringing a device like this to market, hence the two-year wait. The 2023 timeline matches up with a report from Bloomberg earlier this year that Apple has a working prototype of a foldable iPhone display. While Samsung has been leading the way on foldables, Apple claims to be learning from the pain points of their foldable devices and figuring out how they'd be used. A lot of the current cover materials, including the glass and plastic mix that Samsung uses for the Z Fold and Z Flip, show a visible crease when folded out to full screen. Apple would like to avoid the problem, but reports they are waiting for Corning’s UTG, seems to ignore the fact that Samsung is already using Corning’s UTG for the Fold 3 devices. However, Apple is separately funding some of Corning’s glass R&D so there may be a new solution available in 2023. A report in April found that half of American consumers are interested in buying a foldable phone, though Apple customers are slightly less willing to make the leap than Samsung or LG users. But perhaps the "Apple effect" will change those stats if and when a foldable iPhone ever becomes reality.
Apple will also release a new 5G iPhone SE in the first half of 2022, followed by a slate of flagship "iPhone 14" models with under-display Touch ID and lower prices, predicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In 2022, however, Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a new addition to the iPhone SE lineup in the first half of the year. The device will sport the same form factor as the current iPhone SE but will add 5G support and an upgraded A-series chip. He also expects the device to be the "cheapest 5G iPhone model ever." Additionally, he forecasts that Apple will release two high-end and two lower-end iPhone models in the latter half of 2022. Both standard sized models will pack 6.1-inch displays, while both "Max" devices will have 6.7-inch displays. Kuo didn't mention any smaller-sized iPhones, which confirms an end to the poor selling Apple's 5.4-inch iPhone mini-series. Those new devices will benefit from growth drivers like under-panel fingerprint readers using proprietary Apple technology and a wide camera upgrade to 48 megapixels. Kuo also believes that Apple could drop the price for at least one larger iPhone model to somewhere in the sub-$900 range.
On the supplier front, Kuo also says that Luxshare ICT will begin to assemble and ship iPhone units starting in 2021. He expects the supplier's iPhone-related business to grow significantly between 2021 and 2023. Kuo expects iPhone shipments to reach 230 million to 240 million units in 2021 and 250 million to 260 million units in 2022. Kuo also forecast that Apple would release an 8-inch foldable iPhone with a flexible OLED display sometime in 2023.
Beyond an impressive "iPhone 13" in late 2021, Apple will release a new 5G iPhone SE in the first half of 2022, followed by a slate of flagship "iPhone 14" models with under-display Touch ID and lower prices, predicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Kuo writes that he has a favorable view of Apple's iPhone strategy in 2021 and 2022.
The analyst says that new iPhone models in 2021, the so-called "iPhone 13," could be bolstered by specification upgrades, as well as market share gain because of the U.S. ban on Huawei. He didn't mention specific new features for the lineup, however.
In 2022, however, Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a new addition to the iPhone SE lineup in the first half of the year. The device will sport the same form factor as the current iPhone SE but will add 5G support and an upgraded A-series chip. He also expects the device to be the "cheapest 5G iPhone model ever."
Additionally, the analyst forecast that Apple will release two high-end and two lower-end iPhone models in the latter half of 2022. Both standard sized models will pack 6.1-inch displays, while both "Max" devices will have 6.7-inch displays. Kuo didn't mention any smaller-sized iPhones, which could suggest an end to Apple's 5.4-inch iPhone mini-series. Those devices could benefit from growth drivers like under-display fingerprint readers using proprietary Apple technology and a wide camera upgrade to 48 megapixels. Kuo also believes that Apple could drop the price for at least one larger iPhone model to somewhere in the sub-$900 range.
Beyond an impressive "iPhone 13" in late 2021, Apple will release a new 5G iPhone SE in the first half of 2022, followed by a slate of flagship "iPhone 14" models with under-display Touch ID and lower prices, predicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Kuo says that new iPhone models in 2021, the so-called "iPhone 13," could be bolstered by specification upgrades, as well as market share gain because of the U.S. ban on Huawei. He didn't mention specific new features for the lineup, however. In 2022, however, Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a new addition to the iPhone SE lineup in the first half of the year. The device will sport the same form factor as the current iPhone SE but will add 5G support and an upgraded A-series chip. He also expects the device to be the "cheapest 5G iPhone model ever."
Additionally, the analyst forecast that Apple will release two high-end and two lower-end iPhone models in the latter half of 2022. Both standard sized models will pack 6.1-inch displays, while both "Max" devices will have 6.7-inch displays. Kuo didn't mention any smaller-sized iPhones, which could suggest an end to Apple's 5.4-inch iPhone mini-series. Those devices could benefit from growth drivers like under-display fingerprint readers using proprietary Apple technology and a wide camera upgrade to 48 megapixels. Kuo also believes that Apple could drop the price for at least one larger iPhone model to somewhere in the sub-$900 range. From 2021 to 2023, the analyst believes that the iPhone will have the best growth visibility among smartphone brands, largely because of Apple's ecosystem advantage and upcoming product strategies that could drive replacement demand.
On the supplier front, Kuo also says that Luxshare ICT will begin to assemble and ship iPhone units starting in 2021. He expects the supplier's iPhone-related business to grow significantly between 2021 and 2023. Kuo expects iPhone shipments to reach 230 million to 240 million units in 2021 and 250 million to 260 million units in 2022.
Most of the timeline predictions are reiterations of his previous remarks. Not included in the research note, the analyst also forecast that Apple would release an 8-inch foldable iPhone with a flexible OLED display sometime in 2023.
Apple will also release a new 5G iPhone SE in the first half of 2022, followed by a slate of flagship "iPhone 14" models with under-display Touch ID and lower prices, predicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In 2022, however, Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a new addition to the iPhone SE lineup in the first half of the year. The device will sport the same form factor as the current iPhone SE but will add 5G support and an upgraded A-series chip. He also expects the device to be the "cheapest 5G iPhone model ever." Additionally, he forecasts that Apple will release two high-end and two lower-end iPhone models in the latter half of 2022. Both standard sized models will pack 6.1-inch displays, while both "Max" devices will have 6.7-inch displays. Kuo didn't mention any smaller-sized iPhones, which confirms an end to the poor selling Apple's 5.4-inch iPhone mini-series. Those new devices will benefit from growth drivers like under-panel fingerprint readers using proprietary Apple technology and a wide camera upgrade to 48 megapixels. Kuo also believes that Apple could drop the price for at least one larger iPhone model to somewhere in the sub-$900 range.
On the supplier front, Kuo also says that Luxshare ICT will begin to assemble and ship iPhone units starting in 2021. He expects the supplier's iPhone-related business to grow significantly between 2021 and 2023. Kuo expects iPhone shipments to reach 230 million to 240 million units in 2021 and 250 million to 260 million units in 2022. Kuo also forecast that Apple would release an 8-inch foldable iPhone with a flexible OLED display sometime in 2023.
Beyond an impressive "iPhone 13" in late 2021, Apple will release a new 5G iPhone SE in the first half of 2022, followed by a slate of flagship "iPhone 14" models with under-display Touch ID and lower prices, predicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Kuo writes that he has a favorable view of Apple's iPhone strategy in 2021 and 2022.
The analyst says that new iPhone models in 2021, the so-called "iPhone 13," could be bolstered by specification upgrades, as well as market share gain because of the U.S. ban on Huawei. He didn't mention specific new features for the lineup, however.
In 2022, however, Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a new addition to the iPhone SE lineup in the first half of the year. The device will sport the same form factor as the current iPhone SE but will add 5G support and an upgraded A-series chip. He also expects the device to be the "cheapest 5G iPhone model ever."
Additionally, the analyst forecast that Apple will release two high-end and two lower-end iPhone models in the latter half of 2022. Both standard sized models will pack 6.1-inch displays, while both "Max" devices will have 6.7-inch displays. Kuo didn't mention any smaller-sized iPhones, which could suggest an end to Apple's 5.4-inch iPhone mini-series. Those devices could benefit from growth drivers like under-display fingerprint readers using proprietary Apple technology and a wide camera upgrade to 48 megapixels. Kuo also believes that Apple could drop the price for at least one larger iPhone model to somewhere in the sub-$900 range.
Beyond an impressive "iPhone 13" in late 2021, Apple will release a new 5G iPhone SE in the first half of 2022, followed by a slate of flagship "iPhone 14" models with under-display Touch ID and lower prices, predicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Kuo says that new iPhone models in 2021, the so-called "iPhone 13," could be bolstered by specification upgrades, as well as market share gain because of the U.S. ban on Huawei. He didn't mention specific new features for the lineup, however. In 2022, however, Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a new addition to the iPhone SE lineup in the first half of the year. The device will sport the same form factor as the current iPhone SE but will add 5G support and an upgraded A-series chip. He also expects the device to be the "cheapest 5G iPhone model ever."
Additionally, the analyst forecast that Apple will release two high-end and two lower-end iPhone models in the latter half of 2022. Both standard sized models will pack 6.1-inch displays, while both "Max" devices will have 6.7-inch displays. Kuo didn't mention any smaller-sized iPhones, which could suggest an end to Apple's 5.4-inch iPhone mini-series. Those devices could benefit from growth drivers like under-display fingerprint readers using proprietary Apple technology and a wide camera upgrade to 48 megapixels. Kuo also believes that Apple could drop the price for at least one larger iPhone model to somewhere in the sub-$900 range. From 2021 to 2023, the analyst believes that the iPhone will have the best growth visibility among smartphone brands, largely because of Apple's ecosystem advantage and upcoming product strategies that could drive replacement demand.
On the supplier front, Kuo also says that Luxshare ICT will begin to assemble and ship iPhone units starting in 2021. He expects the supplier's iPhone-related business to grow significantly between 2021 and 2023. Kuo expects iPhone shipments to reach 230 million to 240 million units in 2021 and 250 million to 260 million units in 2022.
Most of the timeline predictions are reiterations of his previous remarks. Not included in the research note, the analyst also forecast that Apple would release an 8-inch foldable iPhone with a flexible OLED display sometime in 2023.