While the design of Apple’s iPhone 12 was a substantial shift from previous incarnations, the newly introduced iPhone 13 looks almost identical to its predecessor.
The only major difference, which you have to look for, is the slightly lower notch on the iPhone 13.
Looking ahead to the iPhone 14, some speculate that Apple may ultimately abandon the notch in favor of the hole-punch design that is already ubiquitous on many high-end Android phones.
The Elec this week claims that Apple will employ a hole display for the first time with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
That implies the ordinary, less expensive iPhone 14 and a new iPhone 14 Max will retain the notch, a distinctive cutout that debuted with the iPhone X in 2017 — Apple’s first handset to offer an edge-to-edge display.
The Elec’s assertions are consistent with those from reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has stated twice this year that Apple will adopt the hole-punch design into the iPhone 14’s most expensive variants.
The anticipated design shift suggests that Apple has found a method to keep the dependability of its Face ID function while allowing the smarts that power it to be hidden behind the display.
“The key to the technology providing an immersive full-screen experience is for the display region surrounding the hole to maintain quality and color with other portions of the display,” The Elec explained.
It’s also possible that Apple will abandon Face ID in favor of Touch ID, like Google did when it upgraded from the Pixel 4 to the Pixel 5, though this appears improbable. In-display Touch ID, on the other hand, would be a welcome upgrade for many iPhone owners, especially since face masks prevent Face ID from working, leaving people with no choice but to enter their passcode every time they want to use their phone (unless they have an Apple Watch, that is).
As with other leaks and rumors, we won’t know the truth until the device is released. Indeed, another story from last month stated that Apple will preserve the notch for at least another year.
The iPhone 14 is still nine months away, so anticipate lots more rumors regarding the forthcoming smartphone in the interim.