iPhone 13 leaker just tipped bad news for the camera

(Image credit: Future)

We're expecting photographic camera upgrades across the board with the iPhone xiii, but the standard phone could lack a LiDAR scanner for the second generation in a row.

Co-ordinate to reasonably solid tipster Dylandkt on Twitter, merely the 'Pro' models of the iPhone 13 (or potentially the iPhone 12S) will have the LiDAR scanner found on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. It was thought that all models of the next-generation iPhone will get the scanner but "due to one reason or some other" this won't exist the case.

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A LiDAR scanner in Apple device rear photographic camera arrays offset popped up in the iPad Pro 2020. It was used to help with depth perception to deliver amend augmented reality experiences. The LiDAR scanner was then added into the Pro iPhone 12 handsets. The sensor aided with autofocus and portrait photos in low-lite situations, as well as heave the fidelity of AR experiences.

Understandably, this was a new 'pro' feature at the time. Just as Apple tree products mature, such features tend to trickle downwardly to standard iPhone models.

Going by the leaks and rumors then far, nosotros had been expecting the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 to get the LiDAR sensors.

Dylandkt didn't say why this won't be the case, merely just stated "information technology won't be happening this year." Given the coronavirus pandemic isn't over, i reason for this could be supply chain and manufacturing problems, but that's merely speculation.

The lack of a LiDAR sensor may be a fiddling disheartening for Apple fans expecting a large camera upgrade in the standard iPhone thirteen models. But depth perception of the current iPhone 12 is rather good, with solid portrait photos and skillful low-calorie-free performance, so a LiDAR scanner may not be a huge upgrade in applied terms. And some rumors take pointed towards larger sensors coming to the iPhone 13, with all models expected to gain sensor-shift stabilization , meaning the iPhone 13 could get a notable camera upgrade.

Nosotros'd as well place a solid bet that Apple with improve its computational photography to ensure the standard iPhone xiii offers a boost in camera performance over its predecessor. These include a portrait video style and in new astrophotography abilities for shooting the nighttime heaven. However, the rumors and then far accept the Pro models tipped to become the biggest upgrades, with improvements to the ultra-wide photographic camera and the inclusion of a six chemical element lens.

Exterior of cameras, the iPhone 13 is expected to get a more than powerful A15 Bionic bit, a smaller display notch and a faster 5G modem. Withal, an LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate is also reportedly limited to the iPhone thirteen Pro models. A port-less design has also been tipped for the iPhone 13, just analyst Ming-Chi Kuo does non believe this will happen with the new iPhone as the MagSafe ecosystem isn't mature enough.

We're expecting to find out what upgrades the iPhone 13 does bring to the table come September, which has been the calendar month Apple traditionally shows off its next smartphone.

Time will tell on all the to a higher place, but the iPhone 13 is shaping up to be an interesting smartphone, specially if it delivers on the upgrades we want.

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Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom's Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he's as well got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be establish wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face.