2021 iPhone will be 'iPhone 13' with 'Pro,' 'Pro Max,' 'Mini' variants says supply chain

Apple's fall iPhone refresh will be known as the "iPhone 13," a report claims, with Apple also continuing to use its "mini," "Pro," and "Pro Max" terminology for the different models.

The number that Apple will use to denote the 2021 iPhone lineup has caused some debate due to it potentially being the "iPhone 13." Despite the seemingly unlucky association with the number, it is claimed Apple will be using it for the range.

According to supply chain checks by the Economic Daily News, Apple will continue from the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 by using the number 13 for the following collection.

A survey from June 21 claimed 74% of respondents wanted to have the name changed to something else, though only one in five of those asked said they were superstitious about the number. The top suggestion for an alternate name was "iPhone (2021)" with 38% of the vote.

In terms of individual variants, Apple will apparently continue to use the existing names for the new models, including the 6.7-inch "iPhone 13 Pro Max," the 6.1-inch "iPhone 13" and "iPhone 13 Pro," and the 5.4-inch "iPhone 13 mini."

Hon Hai will apparently be the main producer of iPhones in the generation and is said to have secured all Pro Max orders, 68% of the "iPhone 13", and approximately 60% of orders for the "iPhone 13 Pro." Production timelines are thought to revert to schedules before COVID-19, with shipments in the third quarter followed by a peak in production in the fourth quarter.

This echoes a June 28 report that component shipments from Apple's Taiwanese supply chain were earlier than 2020's production, putting the schedule closer to 2019's efforts.

The Economic Daily News has a decent track record on reporting from inside Apple's supply chain. It has a notably poorer one when it tries to predict Apple's product plans, or features.

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15 Comments

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

About 3 years ago

Apple may not be concerned with calling it the iPhone 13 but I guarantee there are millions of weak minded idiots who will. And some of them will be Apple customers. Never underestimate the power of irrational superstition. Just take a gander at the vaccine hesitancy because of misinformation and rumor. And remember the fact that most high buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Humans, gotta love ‘em.

darkvader 1146 comments · 15 Years

I'm glad to see Apple isn't going to annoy the rest of us by catering to the superstitious idiots.

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

9 is the new 13.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

lkrupp said:

Apple may not be concerned with calling it the iPhone 13 but I guarantee there are millions of weak minded idiots who will. And some of them will be Apple customers. Never underestimate the power of irrational superstition. Just take a gander at the vaccine hesitancy because of misinformation and rumor. And remember the fact that most high buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Humans, gotta love ‘em.

I suspect few are actually superstitious about it. More like its become culturally inappropriate to use that number. A bit like farting in church.

Personally, I prefer their old system of creating an "S" model that has the same form factor but improved and upgraded internals. But, that doesn't jive with the standard American marketing strategy of every year having a "New & Improved" model. With an "S" model, it's harder to portray it as "new".

AppleZulu 2205 comments · 8 Years

lkrupp said:

Apple may not be concerned with calling it the iPhone 13 but I guarantee there are millions of weak minded idiots who will. And some of them will be Apple customers. Never underestimate the power of irrational superstition. Just take a gander at the vaccine hesitancy because of misinformation and rumor. And remember the fact that most high buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Humans, gotta love ‘em.

They’ve already been through iOS 13, which didn’t suffer significantly from superstition, even after some hiccups at launch, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.