Upcoming Apple iPhone launches could include a smaller notch in 2021, a new iPhone SE and notch-less iPhone in 2022 and a foldable iPhone in 2023, according to reports on a research note from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
An analyst at TF International Securities, Kuo has frequently made correct Apple predictions in the past.
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What follows are four things to know on the latest Apple iPhone rumors, based on Kuo’s note released on Monday.
Changes For iPhone 13
While previous rumors have suggested that this fall’s iPhone 13 would not include major changes, Kuo is predicting a few notable updates—particularly around the iPhone notch design, display refresh rate and battery sizes.
According to reports on Kuo’s note, the full iPhone 13 lineup will feature a smaller notch cutout on the display, which is where the front camera and other sensors are located. Four models are expected for the 2021 iPhone portfolio, mirroring the four models from the 2020 launch, Kuo says.
For the iPhone Pro models—presumably named the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max—the refresh rate on the displays will double to 120Hz for a smoother display experience, according to Kuo.
The battery capacities are also expected to increase on all four models, Kuo said.
Punch-Hole Design In 2022?
Apple may also be looking to phase out the notch completely, starting as soon as 2022.
According to Kuo, some of the 2022 iPhone models will switch from the notch design to a “punch-hole” design for the front-facing camera. That would move the iPhone to a design that is more akin to Samsung’s Galaxy S devices.
The punch-hole design is likely to come to the higher-end iPhones for 2022, but may end up being used for all of that year’s models, Kuo said.
The Next iPhone SE
Following the popularity of the second-gen iPhone SE that launched last April, Apple is rumored to be prepping the next update to the compact-sized, affordably priced iPhone for 2022.
Kuo reports that the next iPhone SE will debut during the first half of 2022, with the same 4.7-inch display size but a pair of notable updates. Those two updates are expected to be the inclusion of support for high-speed 5G connectivity and a new processor.
Foldable iPhone
Last month, Bloomberg reported that Apple has started “early work” on an iPhone model featuring a foldable display.
Now, Kuo is offering a prediction that the first foldable iPhone could launch as soon as 2013, and would feature a display that ranges in size between 7.5 inches and 8 inches when unfolded.
In order to keep the device on track for 2023, however, Apple needs to address “key technology and mass production issues” within this year, according to Kuo’s note as quoted by a MacRumors report.
The project would appear to be aimed at developing an iPhone that could compete head-on with other foldable phones now on the market, such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Motorola’s new-generation Razr.
