Rumour: Apple's iPhone 13 to feature always-on display and 120Hz refresh rate

Apple iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 range first went on sale in October, 2020. Photo credit: Newshub.

Rumours are circulating that the iPhone 13 range will feature a 120Hz refresh rate screen along with an always-on display like those used on recent Apple Watch releases.

The new report by EverythingApplePro also adds to growing speculation that the 2021 iPhones will include portless models - meaning users won't be able to plug anything into them, instead relying on wireless transfers and MagSafe charging.

Apple doesn't comment on such reports.

The US tech giant already features 120Hz refresh rate screens on its iPad Pro devices, while the Apple Watch Series 6 uses a LTPO screen to achieve always-on-display. But Apple competitors have featured the technologies for some time.

Samsung introduced 120Hz displays in March 2020 on its Galaxy S20 range, which has proven popular in New Zealand, although various high-refresh displays were available in select phones before then.

Always-on display functionality is much older. It was introduced by Nokia in 2009 with its N86, but has since become standard on Android phones from companies like Samsung and Huawei since around 2016.

The EverythingApplePro report - which references information disseminated by tipsters Max Weinbach and Jon Prosser - also says the iPhone 13 range will feature stronger magnets for MagSafe accessories and a more texturised, grippier soft matte back said to be more comfortable to hold. 

Another claim in the report is that some iPhone 13 models will support astrophotography, meaning users could take clear, vivid photos of the night sky. 

Apple's iPhone 12 range was announced in October 2020 and went on sale later that month.