According to longstanding rumors, Apple is not eliminating the notch on the iPhone 13, but the notch will be significantly reduced. This is due to both the downsizing of the various Face ID components and the relocation of the earpiece to the upper bezel.

This time, however, the ever-reliable leaker LeaksApplePro has estimated the full dimensions of the notch, claiming that it will be only 26 mm wide. This is the same size measured on a dummy iPhone 13 Pro Max in May. For comparison, the current notch is 35 mm wide, which is the same width as the notch on the iPhone 11, iPhone XS, and pre iPhone X.

Notably, another 3D-printed iPhone 13 model had the same new notch width of 26.80 mm. While the width of the notch was reduced, the height was slightly higher, from 5.3 mm on the iPhone 12 to 5.35 mm.

Combining these numbers, PhoneArena estimates that the iPhone 13's screen-to-body ratio will reach 88%, up 2% from the iPhone 12 and 8% from the iPhone X, which was the first to feature a notch. The iPhone SE, Apple's device without the notch, stands at 65%.

While this is clearly a step in the right direction, it still pales in comparison to the Android flagship, which is known for breaking the 90% barrier in the past thanks to its pinhole notch, pop-up camera, and under-screen lens marvel.

LeaksApplePro's original tweet has another noteworthy point. This is not an original idea, but one that appeared to have been ruled out through supply chain sources earlier this month.

Calling this device the iPhone 12S would make a certain amount of sense; the 'S' line has not been used consistently by Apple since the last iPhone XS in 2018 and iPhone 6S in 2015, but it is a convenient way to indicate incremental hardware updates and all indications are that the next phone will be much more incremental.

Still, several other upgrades that have been suggested for the iPhone 13 seem worthwhile. They include a faster and more efficient A15 Bionic chip, improved 5G, and camera features such as portrait mode video and a new astrophotography mode for shooting the night sky.

Rumors suggest that the iPhone 13 Pro will be more impressive, with a possible 120 Hz screen refresh rate, an always-on display, and a more advanced ultrawide camera with autofocus.