Review of the iPhone 14 Lineup

In an ever-expanding sea of smartphones—some illogically cheap and others boasting of mind-boggling tech—Apple still manages to claim a seat at the pinnacle of the industry. Why?

IPhones have a rapport for their premium hardware designed to last, cutting-edge features that just work, and an unparalleled customer-oriented approach. All these values that make people fall in love with Apple are reflected in their latest iteration of iPhones; iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 series borrows everything that was great about last year’s iPhone 13 lineup and takes it up a notch (pun intended).

If top-of-the-line cameras and unyielding performance wrapped up in a gorgeous body are your ideas for a great phone, the iPhone 14 lineup is a no-brainer. The question is: Which of the iPhone 14’s is your perfect companion?

Read on for our review of Apple’s latest flagship smartphones (Hint: There’s more to the devices than what’s on paper).

 

Specs – iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus/iPhone 14 Pro/iPhone 14 Pro Max

First things first, what’s on paper? Here are the official specs of the 2022 iPhone 14 series:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 14 Plus	iPhone 14 Pro	iPhone 14 Pro Max
Body	Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Aluminum frame	Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Aluminum frame	Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Stainless steel frame	Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Stainless steel frame
Display size (Type)	6.1-inch (Super Retina XDR OLED)	6.7-inch (Super Retina XDR OLED)	6.1-inch (LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED)	6.7-inch (LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED)
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Resolution (Pixel Density)	2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi)	2778 x 1284 pixels (458 ppi)	2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)	2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
Dimensions (Inches/mm)	5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm)	6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm)	5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches (147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm)	6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 inches (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm)
Weight	6.07 oz. (172 g)	7.16 oz. (203 g)	7.27 oz. (206 g)	8.47 oz. (240 g)
Mobile software	iOS 16	iOS 16	iOS 16	iOS 16
Rear cameras	12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide)	12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide)	48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)	48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)
Front-facing camera	12MP	12MP	12MP	12MP
Video	HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps	HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps	HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps	HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps
Processor	Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)	Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)	Apple A16 Bionic (4nm)	Apple A16 Bionic (4nm)
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage	No	No	No	No
Battery	Li-Ion 3279 mAh, non-removable (12.68 Wh)	Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh)	Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable (12.38 Wh)	Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh)
Connector	Lightning	Lightning	Lightning	Lightning
Headphone jack	No	No	No	No
Special features	Emergency SOS via satellite, 5G, MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM)	Emergency SOS via satellite, 5G enabled; MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM)	Emergency SOS via satellite, Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM)	Emergency SOS via satellite, Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM)
Colors	Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red	Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red	Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple	Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Price off-contract (USD)	$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)	$899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB)	$999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)	$1,099 (128GB), $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)

 

The published spec sheet aside, how do all the nifty perks translate to the consumer? Are the new camera features worthwhile? How practical is the ‘ground-breaking’ dynamic island? Here’s a breakdown of what the iPhone 14 packs outside and under the hood based on an in-depth analysis of hands-on reviews:

 

Design – Out with Notch, In With the Island

If you’ve had the opportunity to grab hold of the iPhone 13, expect the same feel with 2022’s iPhone 14—at least body-wise. The dimensions and even the screen are identical—with most of the tuning happening on the inside.

While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus (expected to be released on October 07) have relatively uninspiring designs, the Pro models are the exact opposite. For the first time since the 2017 iPhone X, the team at Cupertino has finally made the bold of reinventing the trademark notch.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max displays feature a pill-shaped cutout dubbed the “Dynamic Island.” While the name attracted its fair share of memes, the Dynamic Island may prove to be a gem. It’s a creative way to refresh the iconic notch by turning it into a more practical tool that improves the user experience.

The Dynamic Island functions like an adaptive blob that stretches, contracts, and even changes shape as needed. Its elegant feel and functionality make it one of Apple’s most significant design upgrades in recent years. The island takes multitasking up a notch by allowing you to dock an app and revisit it with a quick tap.

And as you’d expect from Apple, the animations are silky smooth and subtle. But some users have identified some rough spots such as uncharacteristic cropping of things like timers. It’s one of those features that gradually grow on you until you can’t imagine a life without them

While Dynamic Island is attracting most of the plaudits, Apple managed to sneak in a useful feature that may end up saving you a couple of bucks. You can now replace the back glass without going through the expensive hassle of disassembling the phone. Even better, you don’t need to remove the True Depth Camera module to replace the display. Talking of display…

 

Display – Smoother, Brighter, and Always-On

To the disappointment of fans, Apple maintained a 60Hz display for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models—a refresh rate that is relatively outdated among high-end smartphones. Besides that, the entire lineup delivers crisp OLED screens with Dolby Vision and HDR10 technology.

Following the same trend with the design, Apple reserved the best display features for the Pro models. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max boast LTPO OLED screens with a 120Hz refresh rate. Coupled with the Dynamic Island and a bumped-up camera (more on this in the next section), emerging reports by market analysts suggest the Pro models are racking up higher demand to the point that Apple may be doubling down on their production.

The Pro models also ship with an Always-On display turned on. If you’ve used an Apple watch, you might be familiar with how this feature works. Always-On dims the screen to about 10% and chops the refresh rate up to 1Hz. This gives you a constant sneak peek of time and notifications without significantly hogging your battery. It’s a feature that may take some getting used—with online search results showing a spike in people looking to toggle the feature on-off.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Pro models pack an impressive 2000nits of peak brightness—compared to the 1200nits in the 14 and 14 Plus. The extra nits may not matter much in normal usage, but they might come in handy when you need a clear view of your phone in bright light.

 

Camera – Bumped Up, But Bumpy

Apple rarely disappoints when it comes to cameras—this reputation holds true with the iPhone 14 lineup. Refined features like Cinematic Mode, Night Mode, Depth Control, and the all-new “Photonic Engine” give the iPhone 14s the software juice to deliver brighter, lifelike images.

You’ll also find Action Mode, which stabilizes images when you move the camera around a lot. Though you have to sacrifice resolution from 4k to 2.8k – a small price to pay for quality videos.

In terms of the selfie cameras, they all get an upgrade with autofocus (finally) and a wider aperture of f/1.9. Video calls and portrait shots are about to be better than they’ve ever been.

While all devices in the 2022 lineup offer impressive camera output that’s on par with the best smartphones out there, the Pro models take the limelight.

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus comes with the familiar dual rear camera setup with a 12MP main camera. This is the same resolution as their predecessors, the iPhone 13—but with an upgrade in aperture from f/1.6 to f/1.5.

And if you thought iPhone cameras were good at 12MP, wait until you catch a whiff of the 48MP sensor on the Pro models? On top of the larger sensor (around 65% larger than the iPhone 13 Pro), the Pro models also feature a 12MP telephoto sensor that allows 3X optical zoom, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with a wider aperture, and ProRES for 48MP raw shots.

This is all great news for the photographers and filmmakers in us. Most camera test show improved color rendition, more light gathering, and faster focusing. But all this goodness comes with a caveat: a bigger camera bump.

If the wonky feel of the iPhone 13 Pro was a concern for you, wait until you place the iPhone 14 Pros on a table. Sure, it’s highly unlikely that the wobble will be a deal breaker—but it’s hard to ignore the risk of accidental falls on slanted surfaces. When this is the case (*another pun), we got your back with our top-of-the-line iPhone 14 screen protectors to safeguard your precious device.

 

Processor – A Partial Upgrade

To widen the gap between the Base and Pro models, Apple decided to reuse last year’s A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus—only reserving the cutting-edge A16 Bionic for the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

The A15 Bionic is already some steps ahead of most competitors, so it should still suffice. But if you want the best in processing power—especially for long-term use—the A16 Bionic packed in the Pro models is a great choice.

 

What Does the eSIM Spell for You?

Another major change to the iPhone lineup is the contentious idea to ditch the physical SIM card tray in favor of an eSim—at least in the U.S., This move is so far divisive among consumers.

Some users argue that the idea to ‘force’ the eSIM-only iPhone 14s is an anti-consumer approach that is uncharacteristic of Apple. There’s also the frustration of hiccups when transferring your phone number from an old device to the iPhone 14. Not to mention the privacy risk from waiving the option to remove the physical SIM card.

But for most people, setting up your new iPhone and switching between carriers should be a breeze. It might even be smoother and more seamless than the conventional way with physical SIMs.

 

Safety and Security

Safety first! SOS over satellite and crash detection are two features that are not necessarily in the spotlight as far as early iPhone 14 impressions are concerned. But they could mean the world to some users when their lives are at stake.

The crash detection feature basically works by using advanced sensors to identify a car crash before dialing emergency services and notifying them of your location for help. If sending an emergency message is not possible due to signal issues, the iPhone 14 will use satellite.

 

Battery Life and Charging

Interestingly, the base iPhone 14 packs a larger battery than the iPhone 14 Pro. But this does not translate to better battery life. With a more efficient A16 Bionic chipset and the adaptive ProMotion display, the Pro model may slightly edge past the iPhone 14. But all this depends on your real-world usage.

Either way, Apple claims you can recharge your device to 50% in 30 minutes using their fast charging adapter or 15W MagSafe charging. Time will tell how this holds up.

 

Color

Specs and neat features aside, sometimes the buying decision comes down to the phone’s aesthetic. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are available in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and (PRODUCT) Red. The Pro models ship with fewer color options—but eye-catching ones nonetheless. They include Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple.

We feel Deep Purple will be a fan favorite and a top candidate for users who prefer transparent cases. The Space Black is a nice shade for those of you who prefer something dialed down. It’s slightly darker than last year’s Graphite shade.

 

Verdict?

With the 120Hz display, the Dynamic Island, a 48MP camera, and the A16 Bionic chip, all signs point to the iPhone 14 Pro models. They are a few drawbacks like the wobbly camera bump and lack of a USB-C connector, but they are mostly negligible. But regardless of your pick, this year’s iPhone lineup offers great value for money.

And when you upgrade to the latest iPhone, ensure you enjoy your device for as long as possible by installing a glass screen protector from Tech Amor. We have reliable and easy-to-install iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max screen protectors. Plus, a handful of accessories such as cleaning kits, car mounts, and premium cables.

The second half of 2022 is upon us. And with the recently concluded WWDC, it’s right around the time tech rumor mills start picking up momentum in anticipation for iPhone announcements come fall—and we’re here for it.

The tech streets are already awash with iPhone 14 leaks as the supply chain gradually paints a clearer picture of what to expect. And if the existing leaks are a semblance of the final product, you have reason to be excited. From a sharper main camera to an enthusing shakeup of the display to the resurfacing of Touch ID, the Apple team could be concurring some of the biggest iPhone changes in years.

Here’s our roundup of all the buzz and gossip on Apple’s much-anticipated 2022 iPhone lineup.

 

iPhone 14 Release Date Rumors – When are the Devices Dropping?

We’ll see a new iPhone this fall: That’s more or less set in stone leaning on historical evidence. But with purported disruptions in the supply chain and whatever marketing ploys are brewing at Curpetino, pinpointing the exact launch date is an arduous task.

According to a hypothesis by Tom’s Guide, emerging reports and developments in the industry suggest that the official iPhone 14 reveal is likely slated for September 13, with the pre-orders going live on September 16. By comparison, Apple’s iPhone 13 flagships were introduced on September 14, 2021—before going on sale 10 days later on September 24.

 

iPhone 14 Lineup Rumors – How Many and How Big?

Increasingly reliable intel hints at a “bigger is better” approach for the iPhone 14 lineup. While Apple is expected to maintain the number of phones at 4, they might ditch the poorly-received Mini for bigger screens.

According to a 2021 prediction by Nikkei Asia, “It is pretty much decided that there won’t be a Mini next year, and there will be a relatively cost-effective version of the largest iPhone Pro Max instead.” While the iPhone 13 Mini survived its forecasted demise, the iPhone 14 Mini likely won’t be as lucky.

The Mini is expected to make way for a larger 6.7-inch model. Here are the rumored iPhone 14 models and their respective screen sizes:

iPhone Lineup	Rumored Screen Size
iPhone 14	6.1-inch
iPhone 14 Pro	6.1-inch
iPhone 14 Max	6.7-inch
iPhone 14 Pro Max	6.7-inch

 

The “Pro” monicker depicts higher specs, while “Max” is designated for larger screens. This means that we might be seeing two ‘lower-end’ models and two ‘higher-end ones’ with different screen sizes in each category.

Another exciting leak, as seen from CAD renders shared by Twitter user ShrimpApplePro 🍤, suggests that Apple may be dialing down the bezels for the Pro Max. So same screen size, but smaller overall dimensions.

 

iPhone 14 Design – Going Notchless and Other Cosmetic Changes

Now to the juicy news…the infamous but iconic notch! Since the launch of the iPhone X in 2017, the notch has grown from an intrusive eyesore to an insignia that weaves into the branding fabric of the phone manufacturer. But that may be about to change.

Emerging reports suggest that Apple is looking to ax the divisive screen design in favor of a pill-shaped (Face ID sensors) and punch-hole design (selfie camera). In a January 2022 tweet, supply chain expert Ross Young claimed, “The two-hole concept will be unique to Apple, like the notch.”

Schematics shared by the relatively reliable leaker, Max Weinbach, show the cut-out designs on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. A purported supply chain photo further gives credence to the notchless rumor, showing the dual cut-outs on iPhone 14 Pro models.

 

Notch aside, we don’t expect any significant cosmetic changes to the form factor of this year’s iPhone lineup. The dual-triple camera housing, straight metal edges, and glossy-glass back we saw in the iPhone 13 lineup should carry to its successors—albeit a few nicks and tugs such as the potential use of a Titanium Allow frame in place of the Stainless Steel frame.

There are mixed reports of a protruding camera bump and a thicker design to house the camera and battery upgrades. Videos posted by iupdate and Mac Otakata give us a closer look at the rumored iPhone 14 designs.

 

iPhone 14 Display Rumors

A leak by analyst Jeff Pu (as seen on MacRumors) claims all 2022 iPhone models could feature 120Hz ProMotion display technology seen on the high-end iPhone 13 Pro models. However, other sources suggest that the cheaper ‘non-Pro’ models may have to contend with 60Hz refresh rates seen on LTPS OLED displays. Time will tell the path Apple decides to take.

In the other thrilling news,  Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has recently hinted at the debut of the long-overdue always-on display (AOD), claiming it will leverage a low refresh rate (up to 1Hz) to display “weather, calendars, stocks, activities, and other data while the screen remains at a low brightness and frame rate.”

Gurman’s claims are in line with multiple AOD references uncovered by 9to5Mac within the iOS 16 code. But you may have to upgrade to the Pro models to enjoy this feature. Users of the standard iPhone 14 model may have to settle for the lift-to-wake option.

 

iPhone 14 Camera – Main and Front-Facing Upgrades?

iPhones have a track record of exceptional camera quality, strategically bumping up their specs yearly to stay ahead of the curve in a viciously competitive market.

The defining camera upgrade for the 2022 lineup is rumored to be the adoption of a 48MP main camera sensor and 8K video support for the Pro models. There’s also a rumored periscope camera in the works, but it might be at least a year before we see it implemented in the consumer market. These whispers are supported by reports by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu, and research company TrendForce.

Over to the front-facing camera, Kuo predicts 6-part lenses, a wider f/1.9 aperture, and built-in autofocus for brighter images, fewer distortions, and improved focus in all models.

Design-wise, the iPhone 14 camera setup is expected to borrow heavily from its predecessor. We’re talking about the now-familiar dual and triple camera setup.

 

Could We See the Return of Touch ID?

It’s been a long time coming, but could 2022 be the year we finally see a comeback of Touch ID? The 2020 iPhone 12  was expected to usher in the return of the nifty feature. And when that didn’t pan out, the rumor mill turned its focus to the 2021 iPhone 13 lineup. But just as with its predecessors, Touch ID was a no-show.

While we’d like to believe iPhone 14 will be it, the whispers on the ground are not as positive. Reliable analyst Ming Chi-Kuo predicts we might have to wait a little longer for Touch ID, perhaps 2023. He writes, “We have revised our forecast to delay the launch of the iPhone with under-display fingerprint to 2H23 due to lower than expected development progress.”

Any little glimmers of hope are further snuffed by Mark Gurman, who reckoned that although Apple had tested the Touch ID, the company was focusing its resources on Face ID instead. As it stands, it appears the future of Touch ID is bleak.

 

iPhone 14 Chip Rumors – What’s Under the Hood?

A new chipset is almost a given with every annual reiteration of the iPhone. Last year we saw the introduction of the 5nm A15 Bionic. But this year, the information that’s coming in appears to be muddled.

Some sources suggest the iPhone 14 chipset could be a more optimized A16 Bionic on a 4nm or even 3nm process. Others claim the new A16 Bionic will be reserved for the pricier Pro models—with iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max featuring last year’s A15 Bionic chip. While feasible, the idea of using different processors in a lineup would be a first.

Alleged benchmark scores give a glimpse into what the A16 Bionic could be packing under the hood. This is a curious category that may still hatch a flurry of rumors in the coming weeks.

 

iPhone 14 Prices – Bringing Budgets into Perspective

For some not-so-welcomed news: A price hike seems increasingly likely amid an already shaky economy. The iPhone 14 lineup is rumored to cost around:

• iPhone 14 – $799
• iPhone 14 Max – $899
• iPhone 14 Pro – $1,099
• iPhone 14 Pro Max – $1,199

Here are the prices of the last years iPhone 13 lineup at launch for reference:

	128GB	256GB	512GB	1TB
iPhone 13 Mini	$699	$799	$999	NA
iPhone 13	$799	$899	$1,099	NA
iPhone 13 Pro	$999	$1,099	$1,299	$1,499
iPhone 13 Pro Max	$1,099	$1,199	$1,399	$1,599

 

Other Rumored iPhone 14 Specs

• Lighting Port: Could we be saying buh-bye to the proprietary Lighting port? Well, not yet (most likely). Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the 2022 iPhones will continue to draw their power from the Lightning—with a transition to the industry-standard USB-C expected in 2023.
• No SIM Card? There’s talk of Apple scrapping the physical SIM card entirely and adopting a non-removable eSIM. But there are doubts whether the company will take the eSIM route only or offer it as an alternative, as seen in the iPhone 13 range.
• Battery: There are claims the iPhone 14s may be getting thicker to house larger batteries with improved performance.
• RAM: All 4 iPhone 14 models are rumored to have 6GB of RAM. This is an upgrade for the ‘lower-end’ models, with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini running on 4GB RAM.
• Cooling: With an uptick in computing power comes a need to keep devices cooler. For this reason, a vapor chamber thermal system may be coming to iPhone—or not.
• 5G Connectivity: With Apple investing heavily in acquiring intel’s modem business, it’s only expected that Apple-made 5G modems should debut soon. Either way, the company is tipped to go all in on 5G.
• Software: We already have a preview of iOS 16, which is almost guaranteed to feature in the upcoming iPhone lineup.

 

TechArmor – Because Your Favorite Devices Deserve the Best

The iPhone 14 lineup is still a good way off into the future. But so far, there’s a lot to look forward to.  So stay tuned for more iPhone 14 rumors, gossip, and news as we tread deeper into the second half of the year.

And while you’re at it, protect your devices. A little proactive action today could save you hundreds of dollars in the future. Don’t take chances; protect your valuables—and we can show you how!

It is clear to say that from the very first device in the series (now in its third iteration), Apple designed the iPhone SE to include some of its most advanced features and technologies. It was important for Apple to provide more options for their existing users who want a smaller iPhone and a great value. The kind set aside from their flagships to deliver the iPhone experience at an incredible price.

As such, the SE lineup has become a trendy model with new iPhone users, helping Apple continue to woo people into the now infamous ecosystem as they continue to add new users to the iPhone at a faster pace. Apple added more new users to the iPhone 13 lineup than in each of the previous five launches. They definitely see the iPhone SE as a means to build on this momentum.

The 2022 iPhone SE is one of those books that should never be judged by its cover. The device is not much of a looker by today’s standards, but neither was the previous iPhone SE. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a visual difference between the two devices. They quite literally share the same body. This is very unlike Apple.

Every year, Tim Cook and Co. get on those meticulously prepared sets and announce devices with just enough difference from the previous generation for the common user to be able to differentiate them. New iPhones always have a unique identifying feature. Be it a color, the camera system design, or a marginal difference in the size of the notch. There is nothing visually special about this Special Edition phone year-on-year. That notwithstanding, Apple rarely makes mistakes, and the 2022 iPhone SE is definitely not one.

As regards to the specs, the internals are all that matters. There are, however, some points to note about the exterior, but before that:

Pros of iPhone SE3

• good
• Powered by A15 Bionic- Apple’s most powerful mobile chip
• Improved battery life
• Light and Thin

Cons of iPhone SE 3

• Pricier than its predecessor
• Lack of night mode
• Small and outdated display

And now, The exterior

With a width of 2.65 inches, a height of 5.45 inches, and a thickness of 7.3mm, the SE 3 is generally one of the most compact phones available in the smartphone market. It is splash, water, and dust resistant and is rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529. It comes in at a weight of 144 grams.

The SE3 features a glass and aluminum design in Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red. Thanks to the toughest glass found on both the front and back, the display is more protected than its predecessor. This is the same glass as the back of iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.

One thing that the SE has that not even the Pro Max iPhones get is the Home Button with Touch ID for a secure, private, and easy way to unlock your iPhone, fill in passcodes, and make purchases with Apple Pay.

The 2022 SE sports a 4.7-inch LCD display with IPS technology. It has a 1334 x 750-pixel resolution, which brings its pixel density to 326 per inch and a 1400:1 contrast ratio, far from the near-infinite contrast ratios of good OLED displays. The maximum brightness is at 625 nits.

Other display features include True Tone, P3 wide color gamut, Haptic Touch, and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.

Speaking of the internals

One of the biggest upgrades to the SE this year is in the processor. At the heart of the iPhone SE is A15 Bionic, the same chip as in iPhone 13. It is mind-blowing that Apple can bring such a powerful chip and a level of performance to their most affordable phone. This is something only Apple can do. Oh, wait, and Xiaomi, of course. The Poco F1 was and still is a legendary device.

On testing, A15 Bionic makes nearly every experience better, from simple things like launching apps and scrolling through photos to intense workloads like processing depth information on the fly. A15 Bionic packs a powerful 6-core CPU to handle demanding tasks smoothly and efficiently. It’s up to 1.8 times faster than iPhone 8 (whose body the iPhone SE lineup assimilated) and even faster than older models. This CPU is faster than all the competition at any price.

The 4-core GPU is excellent for graphics-intensive use cases and delivers a monumental improvement for people upgrading from a phone with any other processor. That means that games are reproduced smoothly and with realism, with the only bottleneck in the gaming experience possible being the display size.

Apps can take advantage of the 16-core Neural Engine, which is perfect for machine learning tasks and, according to Apple, is capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second, which is 26 times faster than iPhone 8. Anyone upgrading from a phone without a Neural Engine will definitely notice all the simple ways it makes using the iPhone easier.

The battery

Battery life is important, especially now when Apple’s iPhone SE brings 5G to Apple’s most affordable iPhone, so iPhone SE can take advantage of the latest generation of technology. With 5G, you get super-fast downloads and uploads, lower latency, and better experiences in more places.

iPhone SE 3 has better battery life thanks to the efficiency of A15 Bionic, the controlled integration with iOS, and Apple’s internal design updates. The iPhone 13 lineup is said to have the best battery life on any smartphone, so there was always going to be an improvement of the weaknesses of the SE lineup.

Cameras

The SE 3 has a 12MP Wide ƒ/1.8 aperture camera with Digital zoom up to 5x, portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, portrait lighting, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) which many expensive phones do not have. The camera has a six-element lens, with LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync.

iPhone SE also has some of Apple’s latest camera innovations. The 12-megapixel camera and A15 Bionic create a new camera system that enables powerful computational photography. Deep Fusion optimizes for texture and detail in every part of the photo. Smart HDR 4 applies individual color, contrast, and noise adjustments to subjects and the background. Photographic Styles brings your preferred style automatically to the image pipeline during capture while preserving skin tones. The ISP in A15 Bionic improves video quality for truer skin tones and reduced noise, especially in lower light.

The iPhone SE can do 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, and 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps. It has an Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Optical image stabilization for video, Digital zoom up to 3x, Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps, Time-lapse video with stabilization, Night mode Time-lapse, Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p), and Stereo recording

The SE’s 7MP front camera has a ƒ/2.2 aperture with a portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, portrait lighting,  Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4 for photos, Time-lapse video with stabilization, Night mode Time-lapse, Retina Flash, and cinematic video.

Performance, storage, and price

The iPhone SE 3 comes with a base storage capacity of 64GB, which is not enough by today’s standard. Fortunately, there are also 128GB and 256GB storage options.

iPhone SE comes with all the incredible benefits of iOS 15, including new features like Focus to help reduce distraction to be in the moment and an all-new Maps experience. And you’ll get intelligent capabilities that protect your privacy like on-device Siri and on-device dictation that just weren’t possible with older phones.

iPhone SE will get the latest iOS updates for years to come. iPhone SE continues Apple’s commitment to minimize the impact on the environment.

Like they did with iPhone 13, they eliminated the outer plastic wrap from Apple’s packaging. And they use recycled materials in the design of the iPhone SE, like in the Taptic Engine, where they use 100% recycled rare earth elements and 100% recycled tungsten. iPhone SE is a fantastic new iPhone that brings the performance of A15 Bionic, the speed of 5G, better durability, better battery life, and advanced new camera capabilities. The 2022 SE starts at $429.

The 2020 SE was this $399 entry-level iPhone built to be a powerful net to reel in the more budget-conscious consumers into Apple’s ecosystem. They swapped out the chipset from Apple’s A13 to apple’s A15. This time around they’ve basically taken that same phone bumped the price up to $429 and refreshed it.

The changes made to the SE lineup require a very attentive mind during the event. Apple has made a significant improvement to this phone right. Still, they’ve done it in such a way that unless you specifically watch this, the fact that Apple made no recognizable changes theory is interesting. This drives the theory that Apple would rather have you buy their very expensive iPhone 13s.

Who is the iPhone SE3 perfect for?

• If you love small phones that you can basically carry around easily, this phone is for you. The iPhone SE 3 is the thinnest phone, and its weight measures up to that of the iPhone 12 mini.
• The fact that this phone is 5G is another aspect that could interest you— saying no to a faster and reliable internet is hard.
• Apple held on to their old design. With most things unchanged, you still get a better Touch ID, which is still an old version. So, if you like those vintages yet classic designs, this is the phone for you.

Who is it not suitable for?

• If you are a blogger or a photographer, this phone may not fit your needs. Its camera is quite good, but the features are limited.
• The screen on this phone is a bit small. And when exposed to direct sunlight, the screen isn’t visibly or well seen. So, for big-phone-fanatics, this may not be for you.
• The unlocking system is constricted to just the button, unlike in other phones where you can unlock with your face and fingerprint.

Same design better and new features

The iPhone SE 3 is a pocket-friendly purchase. It has 5G bands meaning its fast enough and will definitely get you through a couple more years without needing to do a phone change. But despite being pocket friendly and small, it still offers you a tremendous undistracted day while using it, let alone the powerful processor that comes with it.

And since the phone is small, there chances that it may keep falling are high. To avoid the small screen from getting damaged or scratched, you can get a screen protector from Tech Armor and prevent all that. Besides, a small phone with a broken screen is a huge no.

 

iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max Review

When the word iPhone appears in a conversation, well not much introduction is needed. It honestly speaks for itself. Probably because it’s the most prominent smartphone made and marketed by Apple. What’s even better is the incredible advancement in terms of the announcement of new series released periodically. And this year the iPhone 13 series is the talk

Following the announcement of the iPhone 12 in October last year, Apple promised a new and advanced lineup, and of course, it came to pass—no disappointment. The iPhone 12 featured new technology and a fancy new design which is the Mini-sized version.

Well, not much has changed. The iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max were released on the 13^th of September, this year, alongside an updated entry-level iPad, Apple Watch 7, and iPad Mini 6—The event was spectacular. These updated iPhones come with an iOS15 ready to be installed, together with an upgraded camera, a new A15 Bionic processor, an upped storage and so much more.

The improvements, assuming you’re looking for a decent phone, really matter. But do these changes really convince us? Does the new iPhone lineup prove to be the greatest, well, since the last one? —to be fair, they have really brought some revolutionary changes. But a closer look at what the lineup offers and how the 4 versions perform, and their differences are much more important.

So, let’s just proceed to the best part…

The specs

With these clever advancements, Apple aimed to make the iPhone Pro Max or either of its siblings, a compelling upgrade made to fit the needs of different individuals—pros and those in need of an everyday consumption phone. So, the question remains, which will suit you best?

There is a lot to read on as far as the iPhone model is concerned. But before we head on to all that:

iPhone 13 lineup prices

One thing about the lineup is that the physical appearance of each isn’t so different from that of its predecessors. And so, is the pricing. This—pricing— is similar in most of the models except in the standard and mini options. This is because the 64GB storage option in the two, has been done away with. And if you are be expecting a price change for this, well, sorry to say, there isn’t.

Generally, the prices of this new lineup increase with the increase in storage. This is mostly seen in the models with the 1TB storage options feature. Available in the Pro Max model, the storage feature ups the price to $1,599.

For the normal prices of the iPhone 13 high-end Pro version—without the extra storage—comes a similarity to that of the Galaxy S Ultra and Galaxy S plus which costs $1,200 and $1,000 respectively.

	128GB storage	256GB storage	512GB storage	1TB storage
iPhone 13 Mini	$699	$799	$999	NA
iPhone 13	$799	$899	$1,099	NA
iPhone 13 Pro	$999	$1,099	$1,199	$1,499
iPhone 13 Pro Max	$1,099	$1,199	$1,399	$1,599

1. Design, size and color

The smartphone offers a similar Ceramic Shield display upfront, flat edges, and a durable glass back. Actually, even the IP68    water resistance is the same. The robust frame in the iPhone lineup together with all the advanced physical features makes the holding feel nice. However, Apple gave a ‘redesigned on the inside and out’ comment pointing at it being different from the others where, honestly, it’s hard to spot the differences.

The most obvious difference is noticeable in the edge. You will notice the volume controls, silent/ring switch and the power button have been slightly switched.

There are two more design changes in the iPhone44. One is the 20% smaller notch. This enables an undistracted time while watching videos in landscape mode with both sides at full screen. And most importantly the reduction in the Mini version is more interesting.

Considering the phone is narrower the notch swoops down a bit more making apps like Gmail—ones with a white background in portrait orientation— more fun to use. Secondly, the cameras on the rear which were placed vertically in the iPhone 12 are now arranged diagonally.

The iPhone 13 mini and13 are available in Pink, Midnight, Blue, Product (RED), and Starlight. While the13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are in Graphite, Silver, Sierra Blue, and Gold.

Unfortunately, there is one thing missing—the touch ID. This is an upgrade that would have been highly appreciated since the face ID, well, with our masks on, can be a hassle to use. Also, the smartphone had some problems unlocking with the Apple Watch. But this isn’t an issue since Apple is working on it.

When it comes to size the iPhone Mini is 5.4 inches, standard 6.1 inches, iPhone 13 Pro 6.1 inches, iPhone 13 Pro Max 6.7 inches.

2. ProMotion display

This feature is a brand name for Apple display which means updates and refresh rates that happens often— 60Hz or 60 times per second. But for this new model, they included a 120Hz refresh rate. This, when compared to the screens we have at home i.e., tv, is double the rate since they usually update at 60Hz. The feature has been available on the iPad Pro but has been now launched in the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The refresh rate determines how smooth and fast the scrolling is. And sailing content is a great experience than the smearing one. This feature, however, isn’t available in the mini. But that doesn’t stop it from giving its user an excellent time. In fact, when you compare it to the iPhone 12, there are some noticeable and visible improvements. So, no worries.

All the iPhone models have OLED screen panels.

The brightness increase rate favors people using it in the sun. This is because of the Super Retina XDR display which is 28% brighter than its predecessor—the change isn’t dramatic though. And when it comes to watching a movie, the HDR content can be screened at 1,200 nits on all the siblings.

The display size is also noticeable. The smallest display is on the iPhone 13 mini—5.4 inches with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, 476ppi. This makes this handful version the sharpest display of all. The largest is, of course, the iPhone 13 Pro Max. It has a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, 458ppi, and a display size of 6.7 inches.

The 13 and 13 Pro have a similar display size o 6.1-inches while the resolution is 2532 x 1170 pixels, 460ppi.

3. Camera

There are so many interesting facts about the camera in all four versions. just imaging taking pictures in low lighting. Or better still owning a phone that can help you measure height? Cool, right? Well, the iPhone 13 has a lidar scanner on the Pro Max and Pro versions unlike in the iPhone 12 lineup. Its main purpose is autofocused pictures and videos with low noise as well as quality shots even in low lighting. Additionally, Apple said that there will be a new feature, on the Pro models, called ProRES that includes video recording of up to 4K at 30fps, later this year.

Although the new lens setup is the most common visible change, it has come with a few more advantages. The large camera has 1.7μm pixels and a wider camera that gathers 47% more light. The improved cameras on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, has an ultrawide lens and are 12-megapixel wide. And for iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, the three rear cameras have telephoto lenses, are 12-megapixel wide, and are ultrawide.

Color temperature is an important fact to check on when buying a phone. Whether you want a rich contrast, vibrant, standard, cool, or warm one, the control should be yours. And alas the iPhone 13 lineup has the Photographic styles feature that is specifically for this purpose.

Wait, here comes the best part…the Macro photography and cinematic mode feature. The macro-Photography helps take pictures with the appropriate camera lens automatically while still offering a focused image. And the cinematic mode, just like the Apple Portrait Mode in the iPhone 7 plus, allows the subject to move around the frame and still remain in focus. This mode can be used while recording one or more subjects, and you can as well tap to the main focus or get a focus mode while editing.

However, as sweet as the deal sounds, there are some limitations. For the cinematic mode to work, there must be good lighting. And if there isn’t the camera app will warn you. The editing of the videos also needs to be done on Apple apps i.e., iMovie. And lastly, the cinematic mode can only be shot in p at frames per second.

4. A5 Bionic and performance

The A15 Bionic is a faster chip and an advancement from the A14 Bionic in iPhone12. It offers a 4-core GPU, 6-core CPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This means the CPU works up to 5% faster and the GPU is in a place to handle rendering graphics that are 20% faster which is quite impressive. The iPhone 13 Pro model has the fastest GPU which is five cores while the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 has our cores.

You can switch between tasks without any issues.

5. Battery life

The iPhone 13 has an extended battery life than the iPhone 12 lineup. This is because of the A15 Bionic chip, bigger battery, and iOS 15. Despite Apple not revealing the battery specs, another source showed that there is a significant capacious cell than in the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the best battery life of Up to 28 hours. However, the bigger the battery, the bigger the phone. So, if you do mind a handful phone, then the iPhone 13 Pro Max isn’t for you.

The iPhone Mini powers for nearly 17 hours, while the other two—13 and 13 Pro—are at least 19 hours and 22 hours respectively. All these, when compared to the previous lineup, are a sizable leap.

iPhone 13, 13 MINI, 13 PRO AND 13 PRO MAX SPECS

	iPhone 13 mini		iPhone 13		iPhone 13 Pro		iPhone 13 Pro Max
Storage	128, 256, 512GB		128, 256, 512 GB		128, 256, 512, 1TB		128, 256, 512, 1TB
Processor	A15 Bionic		A15 Bionic		A15 Bionic		A15 Bionic
Screen size	5.4 inches		6.1 inches		6.1 inches		6.7 inches
Rear cameras	Dual 12MP (Wide, ultrawide)		Dual 12MP (Wide, ultrawide)		Pro 12MP (Telephoto, Wide, Ultra-Wide)		Pro 12MP (Telephoto, Wide, Ultra-Wide)
Front camera	12MP TrueDepth		12MP TrueDepth		12MP TrueDepth		12MP TrueDepth
Zoom	None / 5x digital		None / 5x digital		3x optical / 15x digital		3x optical / 15x digital
Adaptive refresh	No		No		Up to 120Hz		Up to 120Hz
Water resistance	IP68		IP68		IP68		IP68
Resolution/ppi	2340 x 1080/476		2532 x 1170/460		2532 x 1170/460		2778 x 1284/458
Colors	Red, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink		Red, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink		Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue		Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue
Size	5.2 x 2.5 x 0.3 inches		5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches		5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches		6.3 x 3.1 x 0.3 inches
Weight	4.97 ounces		6.14 ounces		7.2 ounces		8.5 ounces
Battery life (video playback	8:41		10:33		11:42		12:16
Starting price	$699		$799		$999		$1,099

 

Conclusion

Despite the upgrades being mostly under the hood, they are precisely made to give you a more improved experience. Fancy new features, great battery life—except in the mini— who wouldn’t want that? If you are still wondering if it’s worth it getting one, aim to focus on the fundamentals. ‘What upgrades are there?’ ‘Is there a promise that the game will get better?’ — once the debate is over and have a final answer, head on to the store and purchase that dream phone.

But most importantly, don’t forget to get the best screen protector from Tech Armor. A smartphone with such features deserves to be taken care of. And that’s your responsibility.

 

iPhone 13 Recap

As was very accurately predicted, the most anticipated event in Apple’s annual calendar happened on the 14^th of September 2021. Apple’s events are always grandiose showcases with impeccable production. In true Apple fashion, they somehow managed to one-up what they did last year, with a lot of drone shots. It was quite cinematic – the amazing transitions, cinematography, lighting – everything was top-notch. It was quite the visual spectacle.

Twitter was part of the celebrations as well. For every tweet that included the trending #AppleEvent hashtag, the like button turned into a glowing Apple logo before quickly turning back into a heart when clicked. iPhone 13 was also trending, of course, and as Tim Cook walked on stage, the world awaited the reveal of the heavily leaked new iPhones. Were there any surprises? Read on to find out.

The iPhone 13 Line-up

A Closer look at iPhone 13 & 13 Mini

Design

The non-pro iPhone 13 has a new look for the advanced dual-camera system with the lenses arranged diagonally instead of vertically as was the case for the iPhone 12. Every year, Apple makes a slight design change to make it easier to distinguish previous versions from the current releases, and re-arranging the camera array was their choice for this year.

Other than the camera module, the chassis (or the beautifully-formed aerospace-grade aluminum frame as it was described during the announcement) remains largely the same. This year’s colors were unveiled to be an all-new Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red.

A much-rumoured detail about the new iPhones was confirmed when the smaller notch was revealed. After years of having the large obtrusive notch at the top of the display, Apple finally did something about it. This is another differentiating factor from the iPhone 12. The reductions were possible because the true-depth camera system has been re-engineered to make it take up less room while taking up less space, thus the increased screen real estate.

Battery

Internally, the iPhone 13 has been completely re-architected to make room for new additions, and more importantly, a bigger battery! While Apple did not confirm the actual sizes of the batteries for this year’s standard iPhones 13, battery improvements are always welcome.

Apple claims that on iPhone 13 Mini most users will experience 1.5 more hours in their day than with iPhone 12 Mini. They also claim that the standard iPhone 13 lasts 2.5 hours longer than iPhone 12. Them branding it as ‘incredible all-day battery life is a bit of a stretch, however.

 

Display

Size aside, the design is the same across the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, as was the case with last year’s iPhone 12 and 12 Mini. Both phones feature an improved, more advanced Super Retina, XDR display. The display is 28% brighter up, going up to 800 nits of peak brightness. This makes it even more suitable for use even when outside. This improved display delivers an immersive viewing experience with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG meaning that the content shot on and for these platforms and technologies will be viewed as intended.

Processor

Things are about to get a little technical now. Ready?

Apple’s lead in the smartphone SoC (System on a Chip) category just got a little wider with the A15 Bionic. Apple’s control over the entire iPhone makeup gives them the capability to incorporate innovations across the entire system. This, in turn, enables the delivery of improved performance and power efficiency. The A15 is built on 5nm architecture which enables the inclusion of nearly 15 billion transistors on the chip. The result? An absolutely smooth, optimized, and efficient experience when handling demanding workloads. The A15 houses a powerful new 6-core CPU with two high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for graphics-intensive tasks like advanced games. The A15 Bionic also features the latest 4-core GPU with the new 16-core Neural Engine to handle all the machine learning requirements. In addition to the performance improvements, iPhone 13 features a new Display Engine, a new video encoder, and decoder, and twice the system cache. All this is to make video playback as smooth as it has ever been

 

Camera

With the A15 Bionic also comes an improved camera system on iPhone 13. There’s an all-new 12mp wide camera with a larger 1.7 micron-pixels sensor that should capture more light with a wide f-1.6 aperture. Amazingly, Apple decided to bring the iPhone 12 Pro Max exclusive Sensor-Shift technology to all iPhones in this year’s line-up. Sensor-Shift introduced advanced Optical Image Stabilization for even better images, especially in low-light. Apple also included a new ultra-wide camera that is set to help “reveal more of the dark areas with less noise”.

A brand-new feature announced for iPhone 13 is Cinematic Mode. According to the details provided during its showcase, once the recording starts, Cinematic Mode will hold focus on the subject even when they’re moving. Additionally, focus transitions are said to happen automatically and in real-time, for example, from one subject to another. Cinematic Mode is said to anticipate when a subject is about to enter the frame and intelligently racks focus to them when they do. When a subject gazes away from the camera, iPhone 13 itself changes focus and then back. This is certainly one of the features that most people will want to test out for themselves when the phones are released. If it does what it says on the box, iPhone will almost be the default phone for millions of content creators, even more than it is already.

Pricing and Availability

It was great to see that even with the improvements it starts with and the fact that the starting capacity is now 128 GB (plus a new 512 GB option), iPhone 13 Mini still starts at just $699 and $799 for the standard iPhone 13. There are also opportunities to get up to $700 off in the US when you trade in a qualifying iPhone.

 

iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max

Design

iPhone 13 Pro comes in four ‘striking’ finishes that are different from the standard iPhone 13. There is Graphite, Gold, Silver, and an all-new Sierra Blue. Just as is the case with the standard iPhone 13, the Pros have a (20%) smaller notch. On the back is a familiar-looking triple camera system, with a stainless-steel trim that surrounds the Sapphire Crystal lenses of each of the cameras. The inside is said to be ‘completely redesigned to support the latest technology inclusions including an all-new camera system, a new display, and a bigger battery.

Better A15 Bionic

The Pros are also powered by the A15 Bionic which features the earlier-mentioned CPU, GPU, a faster Neural Engine, as well as a new ISP (Image Signal Processor) which is said to provide improved noise reduction and tone mapping. As an improvement on the standard iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, the Pro models’ A15 Bionic includes a new 5-core GPU for even better handling of graphic-intensive tasks.

Display

The new Super Retina, XDR display is also present on the Pro models, with an improved peak brightness of 1000 nits, a 25% improvement on last year’s iPhones.

If there is one feature everyone wanted confirmation on, it was the inclusion of a high refresh rate display. The confirmation did come, but it was bittersweet: It is only on the Pro models. The highly anticipated ProMotion display is finally on iPhone, with the capability of refreshing from as low as 10 Hz to as high as 120 Hz. IOS is also completely optimized to take full advantage of this. When swiping between apps, or scrolling, the system adapts the frame rates to precisely match the speed of the user’s finger.

Camera

The iPhone 13 Pro camera system has a new 77 mm telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. There is also a new ultrawide-angle camera with autofocus and a larger f 1.8 aperture, providing up to a 92% improvement in low light. The third camera is a wide camera with a larger f-1.5 aperture and 1.9 micron-pixels for up to 2x improvement in low light. The ultrawide camera also has Macro Photography. Its design and autofocus system enables incredibly sharp focus and can magnify subjects with a minimum distance of 2 cm. Additionally, all the cameras, including the telephoto, have night mode.

Apple also announced a feature that lets you ‘personalize your iPhone camera’ dubbed Photographic Styles. The feature is said to bring your individual preferences right into the advanced image pipeline, applying local edits like a photo editor would, but in real-time as the photo is being rendered.

The iPhone 13 pro camera system also has some advanced video capabilities. The ultrawide camera enables Macro slo-mo videos which should look amazing. The 3x telephoto has improved zooming capabilities and offers a new focal length for video. Coupled with Cinematic mode, it uses machine learning and disparity to create a depth map that’s built into the video so that the depth effect can be changed, including the level of bokeh and where the focus is applied – even after capture.

ProRes is a feature that is set to come further down the line. With it, you can now record up to 4k at 30 fps right in the camera app thanks to the efficiency of the A15 Bionic, IOS 15, and a larger battery.  iPhone 13 Pro is said to last more than 1.5 hours longer in your day than iPhone 12 Pro. iPhone 13 Pro Max will apparently last more than 2.5 hours longer than iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Pricing and Availability

The iPhone 13pro still starts at $999 and the iPhone 13pro max still starts at $1099. The Pro models have a new 1 TB storage option. All four models of the iPhone13 line-up go up for Pre-order on the 17^th of September and will all be available on September 24^th.

 

Final Thoughts

Depending on your expectations, you were either disappointed because some of your expectations weren’t met or underwhelmed because you knew almost everything that was coming. The rumors of this year’s iPhones being referred to as the 12S might have been on to something because there’s no day and night difference between last year’s iPhones and the new ones. The notch is smaller, and ProMotion finally made it to Apple devices after making it to Android years ago, but at least it’s here. It is only for the Pro models though, which is set to anger a lot of people who were looking forward to buying the non-Pro versions.

Another drawback is that 4K recording is not available for the 128 GB storage options, but there may be a logical and technical explanation for that. Features like MagSafe and Ceramic shield are still present, and the iPhone is now capable of recording when your MagSafe wallet is disconnected from the phone, making it easier to track in case it is lost.

The physical changes may be indistinguishable to most users, but the changes under the hood are set to give an improved experience regardless. After all, it is an iPhone and people will buy it. If you will make sure you get the best protection for whichever model you get at Tech Armor.

What to Expect for the 2021 iPhone Line-up!

Leak season is in full effect and we are here for it! This year would have been a rather quiet one if Apple’s attempts to silence leakers would have been completely successful. A reputable member of the Apple community known as ‘Kang’ was the most high-profile recipient of a warning letter from Apple’s lawyers. While he confirmed that he would not be sharing any more leaks, news has continuously and consistently trickled in about what to expect from the 2021 iPhones.

Excited? You are not alone. Let’s get into exactly what you came here for! Here’s an update on our earlier article on the much-anticipated iPhones.

A September Release Date
Chip shortage has been a major problem since last year. Smartphone makers and other players in the tech industry have had their plans delayed or even derailed simply because not enough parts were available. Apple fell victim to this last year, with the iPhone being delayed and some intended features left out completely.

It’s a completely different story this year. As earlier reported, everything is pointing towards the September release date that we’ve become accustomed to over the years.

Chip-maker TSMC is reportedly prioritizing 2021 iPhone chips and ramping up production of the same. This is great news for Apple fans everywhere as it means large-scale production of the 2021 iPhones has begun early enough.

If the past is anything to go by, an educated guess for the exact release date would be in the third week of September, on a Tuesday that is September 14^th. Fingers crossed!

A15 Bionic
The A14 Bionic processor ushered in the 5nm era for Apple and this year’s A15 will most definitely be an improvement. The current chip shortage will do nothing to deter Apple’s continued domination when it comes to processors. It is no wonder why TSMC is prioritizing the production of the 5nm+ chips.

The performance and overall efficiency of this year’s iPhones are set to receive a relative boost, which is always welcome seeing how buttery smooth the iPhone experience always is. The competition just can’t keep up.

No 13, Just S
Since last time, rumours have continuously swirled that this year’s iPhone line-up will skip the logically expected ‘13’ branding for the ‘S’ moniker. This may be because of a couple of reasons.

The last ‘S’ phones we got from Apple came in 2018 – iPhone XS and XS Max. This indicated that while there were subtle improvements on the iPhone X, they were not that significant to warrant a completely new line. Could this be the case this year?

Reports state that this year’s iPhones will feature the same four models from last year: The Mini, the standard iPhone, the Pro, and the Pro Max. They are reportedly going to look pretty much the same without going into specific dimensions, with the only visual changes being in the notch and camera bump. This could explain why this year could see the return of the S.

The other reason is culture. Many cultures see the number 13 as unlucky, with some going as far as removing the number from floors and elevators. Opting for the S may be a smart way of avoiding the number 13 altogether in those specific markets, without confusing their global consumers.

Smaller Notch
A long-awaited change (feature?) may finally be coming with the 2021 iPhones. It doesn’t matter how good the iPhone is, one look at the Android alternatives is enough to make you wish that the ugly notch just disappeared. I mean, it so big in comparison. Useful, yes, but a real eyesore.

While it will not completely vanish anytime soon, the notch is getting smaller for the first time in what feels like forever. A design and component improvement in the FaceID system will allow Apple to shrink the notch. You are finally getting a little more of that precious screen real-estate back.

Who knows, at the rate at which tech is improving, it is only a matter of time before you can flex a full, uninterrupted screen to your Android foes!

120Hz ProMotion Display – It’s About Time
Yes, yes. Leaks have all but confirmed that this year’s iPhones will have a 120Hz ProMotion display. However, this may only be for the Pro models. A report from DigiTimes claims that only the ‘premium iPhones’ are getting the LTPO high refresh rate displays. LTPO technology allows for variable refresh rates, anything from 1Hz (refreshing one time per second) to 120Hz. This is great for battery life.

Sadly, the Mini and the always-popular standard iPhone may be left out in the cold when it comes to this long-awaited feature. This will certainly rub a lot of the Apple faithful the wrong way. While it may irk consumers, it makes business sense for Apple to differentiate the standard and Pro iPhones better than they did last year, where many people saw the non-pro version as better value due to the negligible differences.

It all comes down to how important 120Hz is to you!

Always on Display
Many expected to have AOD ready when Apple put OLED displays on the 12-series iPhones. That feature was seemingly put off until this year, with the implementation set to be the same as in the Series 6 Apple watch. The feature may be a little different from the Android implementation. Apple may opt to significantly dim the screen as opposed to just showing a few icons and the time.

TouchID: The Return
The information is mixed for this one. Some reports are stating that this feature will come this year while some state that it is getting delayed until next year. Fingers crossed for the former.

Many users have reported missing TouchID because of the whole mask thing, and with OLED panels now bring standard on the iPhone, nothing is stopping Apple from bringing it back (under the display).

Battery and Charging
Battery life on the 12-series was not as good as on the 11 Pro Max for example, but this year is set to top that. With bigger batteries for the entire line-up, LTPO panels, and the efficiency of the A15 Bionic, battery life is set to see a significant boost.

MagSafe is also set to improve with a bigger coil being used this time around. Not only will the magnet be stronger, but also the charging will be more efficient and allow for higher wattage, faster charging, and maybe even reverse wireless charging!

Better Cameras
Larger sensors, sensor-shift, macro mode, Astro mode, portrait video – all features that are set to come (back) to the 2021 iPhones. The jury is still out on what features make it to what model, but no one is complaining about upgrades!

iPhone SE 2021?
While this year may be the last year we see the iPhone Mini due to poor sales, the SE is going nowhere. Reports state that the 2021 iPhone SE is set to be the cheapest 5G iPhone there is. Time will tell!

 

Tech Armor – For Whichever iPhone You Choose

Our screen protectors and other protective accessories are all for your peace of mind. No more mini heart attacks, pro scares, or max anxiety even if your beloved iPhone falls face-first on that gorgeous 120Hz OLED LTPO display.

Get yourself some Tech Armor for all your Apple Products right here!

It’s been over 6 months since Apple released the drop-dead gorgeous iPhone 12 lineup. And to say the devices were well-received would be an understatement. They were a hit—to both consumers and tech enthusiasts! But that’s in the past. It’s now time to speculate on what we should expect to roll out of Cupertino come Fall 2021 – i.e., the iPhone 13.

And like clockwork, the rumors are already circulating and gaining traction as we move into the 2^nd half of the year. After combing the web, here are some leaked specs and feature to get your excited.

What Brand Name will Apple Go With?

iPhone 13 seems like the obvious choice—but it’s not the only one. Based on Apple’s naming conventions over the years, there’s a decent possibility that the tech giant may go with iPhone 12S. For now, it’s all in the realm of speculation—with barely any concrete info that we can lean on.

If you’re not well-versed in the Apple ecosystem, the “S” tag on phone models basically implies that the changes from its predecessor are relatively minimal.

 

 

Release Date – When Can We Expect the 2021 iPhones?

This is arguably the million-dollar question. Apple releases often come with a ton of fanfare—and we expect nothing less this year. It’s fair to say that we’re all anxious to see what Tim Cook unveils later this year. But when exactly is this?

Apple has historically released their flagships in September—save for a few deviations here and there (the latest being the iPhone 12 due to pandemic-related reasons). Emerging leaks hint that this year Apple is on track to release the iPhone 13/12S in September as usual.

Wedbush Securities’ Daniel Ives places the release date in the 3^rd week of September based on supply chain analysis (as seen in  9to5Mac). Similarly, the well-respected and reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo bets on a September release.

 

Price of the “iPhone 13”

How much will you have to fork out for arguably the ‘biggest-baddest’ smartphone of 2021? According to most leakers and speculators, expect a figure right around the price of the iPhone 12 lineup. And if we’re lucky enough, the upcoming iPhone 13 might even be cheaper than its predecessor (*fingers crossed).

 

“iPhone 13” Design – If it Ain’t Broken Don’t Fix It

The iPhone 13 family is likely to bear a near-identical resemblance to the iPhone 12—and few people will have qualms over this. Most of us are still smitten by the modern—yet nostalgic— ‘slabular’ design of the iPhone 12 lineup and Apple knows this.

Rumors suggest that the phone sizing will remain the same as that of the predecessors. The only alterations being whispered are:

• The Notch – Apple might be taking it down a notch (too corny?) thanks to a redesign on the TrueDepth Camera System and relocation of the speaker.
• Larger Camera Bump/System – Likely to accommodate expected camera upgrades.

There’s even a dummy of the ‘supposed’ design on the iPhone 13.

 

Display

If there’s one thing that left most of us disappointed with the iPhone 12 announcement was the now-archaic 60Hz display.

Hoping that the rumors come to fruition, Apple is en-route to amuse fans with a 120Hz ProMotion Display come Fall 2021 with the release of the iPhone 13. This might not feature in all phones on the lineup—but a few is better than none.

To stoke the rumors, Samsung and LG are believed to be taking measures to produce LTPO OLED panels for the iPhone 13.

 

Camera Upgrades

Here’s what to expect from the iPhone 13 cameras:

• A much-welcomed upgrade from the current f/2.4, five-element lens on the iPhone 12 Pro models to an f/1.8, six-element lens.
• LiDAR on all devices in the iPhone 13 lineup.
• Redesign of the arrangement of the rear camera in the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13—from vertical to diagonal.
• Sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) on all devices.
• A shift to f/1.5 aperture for the Pro Max’s main camera from the current f/1.6 aperture.

 

Biometrics – Under-Display Touch ID?

Apple might finally bring under-display Touch ID via iPhone 13. This is a long-overdue biometric feature that is expected to improve convenience (with face mask being the norm and all) and possibly impact the design of the screen in the near future.

 

Battery – More Juice Incoming

iPhones have never been known for their ‘larger than life’ batteries. Apple instead focuses on improving efficiency to slash power consumption. Well, this year the Cupertino tech giant is tipped to dial up the iPhone 13’s battery capacity.

One Twitter leaker, @L0vetodream claims that the battery capacities will increase to 2,406mAh (iPhone 13 Mini), 3,095mAh (iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro), and 4,325mAh (iPhone 13 Pro Max).

PS: Keep in mind that increased battery capacity does not necessarily translate to better battery life.

 

Processor – More Power Under the Hood, As Usual

It’s impressive how Apple keeps producing chips that dwarf the competition year on year. The 2021 lineup of iPhones is tipped to run on an A15 Bionic chip (5nm+) that promises better efficiency and bolstered speeds as expected. Reports suggest that TSMC has already started production of the processors.

 

Connectivity

The word on the street is that Apple and Qualcomm have struck a deal for the latter to supply its X60 5G modem for use in the iPhone 13 lineup and other incoming models—until Apple builds its own modems. The 2021 iPhone might even feature the improved Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless speeds.

 

Lightning Port – Go Bye, Bye?

Ousting the headphone jack rubbed people in different ways. But phone companies seem to have an appetite to take the ‘port-Armageddon’ a step further. Serial leaker Jon Prosser and a couple of analysts predict a portless iPhone in the near future.

According to some earlier rumors appearing on MacRumors, Apple has been contemplating the idea of axing the lighting port in favor of Qi-based wireless charging. Whether or not this happens in 2021 is still to be seen.

Tune in for more incoming rumors as they develop.

 

Tech Armor – Because You Can Never be Too Safe

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Tech Armor screen protectors and accessories are specially designed to offer maximum protection to your tech. We understand that you treasure your Apple devices—and we translate this into the best screen protectors in the game. From iPads, iPhones, to the Apple watch – we got you covered!

iPad Mini 6 – The Long-Overdue Update to the Mini is Coming!

After years of speculation and unending tittle-tattle in the Apple community, it seems that iPad fans might finally set their eyes on the sixth-generation iPad Mini. According to the word on the street, Apple is scheduled to announce the successor to the widely popular (*bordering cultic) iPad Mini 5 in a few weeks—and it might be a treat!

From a larger display, dialed-down bezels, juiced-up performance, to Apple Pencil support—there’s a lot to look forward to when the iPad Mini 6 hits the stores. But until Apple officially unveils the long-overdue device, here are some rumors to keep you excited. Read on for more on the release date, new features, and estimated price of the upcoming iPad Mini 6.

 

iPad Mini 6 Release Date – The Time is Nigh, Finally!

iPad fans…pull out your calendars and draw a huge red circle around March 16. According to multiple—and relatively reliable—sources, this is the date when Apple is supposedly scheduled to showcase the long-awaited iPad Mini 6 and a couple of other devices in a virtual event (*as is the case with any other post-COVID product announcement).

As reported by MacRumors, Ming-Chi Kuo (a well-respected Apple analyst) previously announced that “We predict that Apple will launch the new 10.8 inch ‌iPad‌ and 8.5–9 inch ‌iPad mini‌ models in 2H20 and 1H21, respectively…The two new ‌iPad‌ models will follow iPhone SE’s product strategy, and selling points will be the affordable price tag and the adoption of fast chips.”

Kuo’s prediction is backed by other sources—including Korea’s Economic Daily News, ETNews, and the Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

And besides, it’s in Apple’s nature to announce hardware upgrades in March—case in point, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 4th Gen that was unveiled last year on March 18 and the iPad mini 5 on March 18, 2019. For this reason, the rumors are not far-fetched.

Along with the iPad Mini 6, expect a refresh of the iPad Pro series and AirTags. The well-renowned leaker Jon Prosser recently tweeted, “AirTags are still on for March”—and when asked about the upgraded 2021 iPad Pro, he replied, “Also March, as far as I know.”

PS: Kindly take the rumored release date of the iPad Mini 6 with a grain of salt—owing to the industry-wide supply chain disruptions following the pandemic.

 

iPad Mini 6 Design Revamped – Biggest Mini Yet?

While nothing is official yet, rumors seem to be gravitating towards an exciting bump up in screen size and a sleeker design—all without compromising the iconic compactness of the Mini-series. How so?

Similar to the latest iPad Pros, Apple is expected to achieve a more spacious iPad Mini 6 screen by simply slimming down its bezels. Mac Otakara and Ming-Chi Kuo suggest that the upcoming device will sport an 8.4-inch and 8.5 to a 9-inch display, respectively.

Display size aside, CAD renders released by Pigtou and @xleaks7 suggest that we might be treated to a complete overhaul in design. The pair—who have released on point renders in the past—believe that the iPad Mini 6 will boast of a particularly high screen-to-body ratio. It will likely have compact dimensions of 203.2 x 134.8 mm and a thickness of 6.25 mm—housing a 9.15-inch display.

iPad Mini 6 CAD renders (Source: Pigtou & @xleaks7)

As shown in the rendered images, the device may go against everything we’ve grown to associate with Apple by incorporating a punch-hole selfie camera. Pigtou and @xleaks7 further believe that the iPad will feature Touch ID on either the power button or under-display.

There are also suggestions that a Mini LED for Apple products has been in the pipeline for a while now—and we might get a glimpse of the OLED-esque experience sooner than later.  We’ll have to wait and see whether the display debuts in the March 2021 unveiling, or not.

 

iPad Mini 6 Rumored Specs and Features

• Processor: An upgraded processors/chipset is a must-have in the tech world. With this in mind, the rumor mill points to either an A13 or A14 Bionic chip—up from the antiquated A8 processor.
• Camera: The iPad Mini 5 had a 1.2MP selfie camera and an 8MP main camera. While the iPad is not necessarily a photography device, we at least expect camera quality that is decent enough for a Zoom meeting.
• Ports: Could this be it? Couple Apple finally ditch the characteristic Lightning port for the globally-accepted USB-C port?
• Apple Pencil Support: Back in September 2020, the iPad Air was imbued with Apple Pencil compatibility. We hope that the iPad Mini 6 joins the club.

 

iPad Mini 6 Price

When Apple released the iPad Mini 5 two years ago, the devices retailed at a starting price of $399. The idea was to create something powerful, compact, and pocket-friendly. This appealed to a huge population of tech enthusiasts—and it still does, especially with today’s economic hardships.

Coupled with the report by Ming-Chi Kuo’s (quoted earlier) regarding Apple’s strategy of leveraging an affordable price tag as a selling point, it is fair to assume that the iPad Mini 6 will not deviate too far from its predecessor’s price. So, expect to nab the Basic model for less than $500 when they hit the stores.

 

The Tech Armor Experience – Max the Protection, Mini the Price

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iPhone users have a reason to be excited this year 2021. The word on the street is that Tim Cook and his Cupertino-based team are working on a new budget smartphone—dubbed the iPhone SE Plus or the iPhone SE 3). And drawing on the success of its predecessor, this doesn’t come as a surprise from a business viewpoint.

Saying the iPhone SE (2020) was a huge hit would be an understatement. According to The Guardian, the device was “Apple’s cut-price smartphone king. Top performance, good camera, long support and manageable size make cheaper iPhone a bargain.” This flattery is echoed by CNBC, which stated that “it’s the best iPhone for most people right now, given its incredible value.”

A quick Google search of the iPhone SE (2020) paints a picture of a smartphone that swept the media, critics, and customers off their feet—and the hopes are high for its successor. For this reason, read on for more on the rumored iPhone SE Plus—including its release date, design, specs, price, and everything in between.

 

iPhone SE Plus Rumored Release Date

Let’s hark back to April 15, 2020; the media team at Apple announced the second-generation of the 2016 iPhone SE via a Press Release on their website. The device was boldly marketed as “A powerful new smartphone in a popular design”—and it was scheduled for release on April 24, 2020. The phone hit the stores are promised and it more than lived up to the seemingly audacious claims by Apple.

Now, drawing on the trend observed with the previous iPhone releases, it makes sense for Apple to announce the new SE variant around the same time as its predecessor (i.e., April 2021). But incoming reports make this release unlikely.

According to a piece appearing on 9to5Mac, a reliable Apple analyst known as Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that we may not see the next instalment in the SE lineup until the 2^nd half of 2021 due to widespread disruptions in the supply chain. A similar perspective is shared by a Barclays analyst.

However, Ross Young and JP Morgan Chase (via GizChina) draw a grimmer picture by slating the iPhone SE Plus for a 2022 release date. With such conflicting information, you’ll have to keep tabs on the rumor mill for more accurate release date predictions.

 

iPhone SE Plus Design and Size

The iPhone SE (2020) was a beast under the hood—sporting an A13 bionic chipset and all. Its only drawbacks were the outdated design and small size. The upcoming iPhone SE Plus is touted to ‘stamp a band-aid’ on both flaws by offering a design upheaval.

The latest (January 19, 2021) and most widely cited rumor of the iPhone SE Plus design comes from a tweet by the well-known tipster @aaple_lab. The supposed leak features a render of the phone and a few specifications to get fans excited.

Based on the render, the next iPhone SE will adopt a more modern design—including a wide notch (seen in other recent iPhones), minimal bezels, and a non-existent home button. Interestingly, the device might integrate Touch ID into the power button. On the back, the smartphone sports a single camera and it comes in white, red, and black.

The tweet by @apple_lab also confirms the rumors by Ross Young, who had earlier speculated that the iPhone SE Plus would be 6.1 inches—a major size upgrade from the 4.7-inch iPhone SE (2020). As for the screen, all hints point to a cheaper LCD/IPS panel rather than OLED.

In more theoretical territory, a recent concept illustration by Svetapple.sk shows an iPhone 12-borrowed design that’s to die for. But since it’s purely artistic and unlikely to make way into stores, we’ll leave it at that.

 

 

iPhone SE Plus Cameras and Other Specs

Although the iPhone SE (2020) used slightly outdated sensors on its single 12MP camera, it performed surprisingly well for its price range. The third generation of the device is expected to follow this tradition with a 12MP iSight sensor for the rear camera and a 7MP sensor selfie camera. Though it remains to be seen, there’s a good chance that Apple might go with a double or even triple camera.

The camera specs look modest on paper, but with the computational photography power of the A13/A14 Bionic chips—it has the potential to be one best value camera phones among its competitors. The device is also tipped to feature 6 portrait light effects, Smart HDR 3, and OIS.

As for battery and charging, we can only hope for an improvement over the measly 1,821 mAh battery capacity that underwhelmed customer last year.

 

What is the Rumored Price of the iPhone SE Plus?

With the economic uncertainties that continue to cast an ominous cloud over the world, an affordable iPhone SE Plus would be a huge relief for countless users looking for a big-screen phone that takes advantage of Apple’s revered ecosystem.

Whispers from leakers and tattlers suggest that the iPhone SE Plus could retail at around $499. With the possibility of a big 6.1-inch screen, powerful hardware, and the latest iOS, this sounds like a steal—even though it’s $100 more than its predecessor. It balances precariously on the edge of budget and mid-range smartphones, which constitute the bulk of users.

 

TechArmor – Protect Your Apple

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At its advent, you would have been completely justified to think that 2020 would not be a good year for smartphones and other devices. It did not seem like it would be a good year for anything to be frank. The biggest (annual) mobile device trade show of the year – Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 – was cancelled due to health concerns and most of the big companies pulling out. CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2020 happened early enough in the year not to be affected by the pandemic. Other events like IFA 2020, the Apple Event, and other big announcement events were different this year. No tech enthusiasts were in attendance, and instead, the events were live-streamed over various platforms. It was a new way of doing things, and while hands-on experiences are so important for tech devices, this new way was necessary.

 

A Good Year for Smartphones

Luckily, the resilience of smartphone manufacturers shone through and we got a plethora of devices – arguably more than previous years. The big players unveiled the latest and greatest they had to offer and more. To the credit of the manufacturers, this year saw more price points catered to so that no one was left out during these trying times. There truly is a device for everyone.

With the new released came further innovation. The manufacturers’ attempts to outshine each other brought about some great features and prices. There were attempts to push the boundaries of today’s technology, and as a result, we saw some great things this year, with a promise of even better things in the next few years.

 

We take a look back at what we got in 2020 and use that as a baseline to predict what we might get to see come 2021. All in all, there are reasons to be excited. No matter what kind of a smartphone user you are, you just cannot deny how cool some features we’ve seen are.

 

Big Smartphone Features We Saw in 2020

 

1. 5G

5G has been the topic of discussion in prior years and 2020 finally saw it debut on smartphones. On paper, 5G is revolutionary. It brings with it a change in how we use our phones and other devices. The data transfer speeds are (sometimes) miles ahead of what is achievable on 4G. Running a speed test on 5G for the first time is like seeing a new magic trick. You can download a movie in seconds and an entire season of episodes in minutes. There is one caveat though: coverage.

 

5G coverage has improved and is set to be even better with the inclusion of the technology in the 2020 iPhones. It is bound to be mainstream within the next year or two. Because of its nature, total 5G coverage would require many receivers placed all over, at least for the top tier 5G bandwidth (mmWave). As a workaround, carriers are providing slower 5G with better reach. It is worth noting, however, that even slow 5G is better than 4G.

 

2. The First 5nm Processors

Smartphone processing power has come leaps and bounds and yet another milestone was reached in 2020. The already fast 7nm architecture processors became second best to the first 5nm chip – Apple’s A14 Bionic. It is efficient, powerful, and became an even bigger deal when it was used as the blueprint for Apple’s revolutionary M1 chips for the Macbooks. The second 5nm chip was Huawei’s Kirin 9000, which was then followed by Qualcomm’s announcement of the Snapdragon 888 chip. Even Samsung is expected to feature their new Exynos 1080 chip in their next flagships. What all the 5nm chips have in common is the raw power and efficiency, which means greater performance with no negative effect on battery life.

 

3. Android 11 & iOS 14

Each year sees the newest flavors of both Android and iOS. In 2020 we got both, with each bringing something different when compared to previous offerings. IOS 14 brought Android-like UI changes in the form of widgets that changed how users interacted with their home screens. Android 11 built on top of Android 10 and doubled down on privacy and security. There are some nifty features like a smarter AI Assistant that improve the overall user experience.

While the experience is very streamlined and standard across the board for Apple devices, it is a vastly different case for Android. Each manufacturer uses a skin to deliver what they think is the best version of the OS. Samsung introduced OneUI 3.0 for its newer devices while Oxygen OS 11 was unveiled for OnePlus devices. New versions of MIUI, ColorOS, and FunTouch OS were also unveiled, all based on Android 11.

 

4. 108Mp Cameras

Devices bearing the Ultra and Pro monikers have brought some insane features in the past, but 2020 saw that taken to new heights. Devices like the S20 Ultra and the Mi Note 10 had 108MP main cameras – a mind-blowing figure. Using such a large sensor on a phone is an achievement in itself, and the images captured had lots of detail even when zoomed into.

 

5. Insane Zoom Capabilities

On top of 108MP cameras came over 100x zoom, albeit hybrid (optical + digital). It was more of a marketing gimmick than anything else because zooming past a certain level makes photos unusable. Still, owners of phones like the Samsung S20 Ultra have all the bragging rights when it comes to zooming capabilities. From a more realistic standpoint, an optical zoom of 5x or 10x is very, very impressive. Such telephoto cameras are the gold standard.

 

6. Super-Fast Wired & Wireless Charging

The huge numbers did not just stop at the cameras in 2020. The Mi 10 Ultra debuted with 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. I do not know what part of that you find most impressive. When wired, the phone goes from 0 to 41% in 5 minutes, and up to 100% in 23 minutes. Its wireless charging can fill it up in 100 minutes. Additionally, it has 10W wireless reverse charging, a technology that appeared in more upper echelon devices in 2020.

 

7. High Refresh Rates

Smooth scrolling, responsive gaming – benefits of high refresh rate screens. What started at 90Hz quickly moved up to 120Hz and subsequently 144Hz as seen in 2020 gaming phones and some mainstream ones. High refresh rates improve the experience of the user, not exactly the phone’s raw power or capabilities. There are split camps as far as high refresh rates go – some do not care and some just cannot live without it. Which side are you on?

 

8. The Return of Mediatek

You’d be forgiven for not knowing about MediaTek. The chip makers have been second best to Qualcomm for the longest time but had their resurgence in 2020 through their Dimensity range of chipsets. Cheap, but powerful, they featured in many midrange devices allowing manufacturers to offer very competitive prices, something not quite possible with Snapdragon chips.

 

9. Weird, but Cool Smartphones

The LG Wing was a standout 2020 phone because of its rotating screen and all the possibilities it brought. This was in addition to the second generation foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the clamshell design Moto Razr throwback.

 

10. The First Under-Display Camera

The ZTE Axon 20 became the world’s first smartphone with an under-display camera. It was announced in September and became available for purchase in December, although with limited availability.

 

 

What big features are coming in 2021?

 

1. More 5nm Processors

While a lot of 5nm processors were announced in 2020, we are bound to see the bulk of them incorporated in smartphones in 2021. The most powerful generation of smartphones yet will make its way to your pocket in the course of this year, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 making its debut on the Xiaomi Mi 11 and S21 soon after.

 

2. Qualcomm Snapdragon 888

Announced in 2020, the Snapdragon 888 is more than just another 5nm processor. The improvement from the previous gen 875 is quite significant, with boosts in CPU and GPU capabilities. Other huge talking points are camera capabilities, AI, and 5G. For camera, the 888 is capable of HDR video, insane low-light shots and snappy performance. Unlike the previous processor, the 5G modem is hosted on the chip making it cheaper and more power-efficient. There is a new AI chip that will make AI tasks all the more awesome.

 

3. Invisible (Disappearing) Cameras

At CES 2020, OnePlus showcased the Concept One phone that had one headlining feature – the cameras at the back were there in one second and gone in the next. It electrochromic glass, the same technology that McLaren uses in its supercars to darken the sunroof. It is an aesthetic feature that will probably be in niche devices. It is still cool though.

 

4. Rollable Displays

First showcased on TVs, we could very well see a smartphone with a rollable display for the mass market. Bets are up for which manufacturer will be the first to do it and the first to do it right. Unlike the disappearing cameras, rollable displays solve an actual problem – foldable phones have a crease and an unorthodox form factor. A rollable display can maintain the shape of a normal phone while still being able to extend to larger sizes.

 

5. Even Faster Charging Speeds

Manufacturers like Oppo have already showcased 125W wired charging and 65W wireless charging. If this is anything to go by, 2021 will be the year where battery capacity does not matter as much if all it takes is a few minutes to get it charged to full capacity.

 

6. Under Display Cameras

While the feature debuted in 2020, it is bound to go mainstream in 2021 – at least for the high-end devices. Having an uninterrupted display without the moving mechanisms required for a pop-up selfie camera should be quite the addition to smartphones.

 

7. First Portless Phone

This is most likely going to be Apple if the past years are anything to go by. They made the headphone jack irrelevant – and with the inclusion of Magsafe – they might do the same to their infamous lightning port, at least on their iPhones. They already removed the charging brick from the retail packaging.

 

8. The Return of TouchID

With the inclusion of OLED displays on the 2020 iPhones, Apple can now include TouchID on the 2021 iPhones and hopefully reduce or get rid of the huge notch entirely.

 

 

What devices are coming in 2021

 

9. Samsung Galaxy S21 Lineup

Sources claim that we might see the S21 as early as January. The camera bump might see a new design with flat displays. There should be a new color as well – Mystic Purple. The best news? The series might start at a lower price than its predecessors.

Past years have seen complaints from regions that received S-series phones with Exynos processors because they were inferior to the Snapdragon versions. 2021 may be different though. Samsung’s in-house 5nm processor may finally be just as good as the latest Qualcomm processor, at least in terms of raw performance.

Lastly, we may see the last Galaxy Note device this year, or none at all! The S21 might just have S-Pen support.

 

10. Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Fold 3 might just be replacing the Note in 2021. It is set to have S-Pen support and under-display cameras.

 

11. Pixel 6

Google chose to focus on good performance and more affordable pricing and the result was a mid-range flagship. Chances are that Google will go the same route for the Pixel 6, but with much better camera performance, which is saying a lot for a Pixel device.  More interestingly is that the Pixel 6 might use a version of Samsung’s 5nm Exynos processor.

 

12. iPhone 13 Lineup

Not a lot is known about the iPhone 13 series, but it might just be the first portless smartphone lineup. A 120Hz ProMotion display is all but guaranteed at this point. Fingers crossed that the notch shrinks in size!

 

13. OnePlus 9 Lineup

OnePlus might have three devices in their lineup – the standard 9, the Pro, and the new 9E. The 9E might be the affordable flagship, sort of like the 8T. The design of the OnePlus 9 might be new, specifically on the placement of the camera modules.

 

14. 2021 iPads

Apple’s iPads are the best tablets – period. With the strides that Apple is making both in hardware and software, the gap between them and second-best can only get wider. 5G may be included in the entire lineup, as well as iterative upgrades.

 

Looking Forward

There is certainly a lot to look forward to in 2021 – this applies to both smartphones and life in general. We can only sit and wait – as we protect ourselves – and protect all our current devices with the brilliant Tech Armor Accessories.