A new iPhone 13 mini leak reveals what appears to be the back of the smallest new iPhone for 2021, with the rear pair of cameras rearranged diagonally rather than vertically as on the iPhone 12 mini.
The image appears to be an actual picture of the alleged iPhone 13 mini prototype, sourced from a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo. Although there’s no way of knowing whether the unit is practical or more than a hollow plastic mock-up, it’s the first possible concept we’ve seen in the wild – and more evidence that the rear cameras would indeed switch to a diagonal configuration.
The theory gained traction in recent weeks, especially after iPhone 13 CAD models based on insider information revealed the rear cameras were arranged diagonally, followed by 3D renders of the same information mocked up in modern iPhone design. The popular theory is that the lenses were rearranged to accommodate a larger camera sensor from the iPhone 12 Pro Max, but it may simply be Apple shaking things up in its design.
iPhone 13 mini: real or not?
Of course, also an iPhone 13 mini rumour implies that we’ll get one. The iPhone 12 lineup included the introduction of a mini-format Apple phone, the company’s smallest handset in years, but sales were reportedly so poor that Apple was considering shutting down production in the middle of 2021.
However, leaks indicate that an iPhone 13 mini will be released, possibly at the cost of other devices such as the iPhone SE 3. That’s great news for those who want an iOS device in a smaller form factor, but hopefully, Apple can fix its flaws (like, say, lasting a full day without needing to recharge the battery).
