Apple will be unveiling its latest product lineup in a few weeks and the new iPhone 13 is expected to bring several upgrades, including a more advanced Face ID that can recognize the owner even when wearing a mask and glasses. This would be a welcome change, restoring the feature that works quickly and easily which the current model supports only when the entire face can be seen by the front-facing camera.

The pandemic has brought many challenges and the tech industry has not been immune, with many companies facing shortages in components and delays in launches as a result. Apple has so far navigated the rough waters smoothly, dividing its usual in-person, product announcements into three separate live-streamed events in 2020. That pattern might repeat in 2021 as the COVID-19 risks linger on. Health concerns are not the only reason to present products in more than one event. This also allows more time for the completion and arrival of stock. Spacing announcements out over multiple events also equates to extended coverage from the press.

Related: Apple Reportedly Placed Massive A15 Order, But Are They All For iPhone 13?

According to information recently shared by well-known Apple leaker Jon Prosser, the iPhone 13 could come equipped with a TrueDepth camera that has improved capabilities, allowing Face ID to recognize the owner while wearing a mask and even with glasses that are foggy, obscuring the eyes. This is clearly something Apple has been giving attention to, having introduced two modifications to the unlock process since the pandemic. The first is an iOS update that speeds up the switch to PIN code entry when a mask is detected. The second unlocks an iPhone automatically if the owner is wearing an Apple Watch. Those are simply workarounds to the larger issue that the budget iPhone SE has suddenly become more convenient than the flagship iPhone 12. If Prosser's Front Page Tech leak is true, the iPhone 13 might have the ultimate solution.

iPhone 13's Face ID Prototype

According to the leak, Apple is using a prototype case that fits over an iPhone 12 to test the new iPhone 13 Face ID. This seems a bit absurd at first but validating Face ID requires many users and potentially plenty of hands-on testing in different conditions. There might not be enough iPhone 13 prototypes for the required number of Face ID tests to ensure it meets standards. Using a prototype would allow quality control to be performed on numerous iPhone 12 models before final assembly began on the iPhone 13, allowing more time for fine-tuning of this new system.

As usual, an image of the actual prototype was not shared and a render was provided instead, showing a bulky unfinished case attached to an iPhone 12 with a front-facing TrueDepth camera at the top. Prosser indicated that the prototype TrueDepth module is narrower side to side, aligning with earlier rumors that the notch on the iPhone 13 will have a reduced width. Apple's upcoming iPhone 13 is expected to have improved rear cameras, a faster A15 processor, and possibly a 120-hertz refresh rate. Adding improved Face ID would round out the list well and it won't be long before these rumors are put to the test with the new model expected to arrive around the middle of September.

Next: Video Portrait Mode & Other iPhone 13 Camera Improvements To Expect

Source: Front Page Tech