It seems that the next iPhone will have a smallest notch. It will be thanks to the fact that Apple's component suppliers have managed to reduce the size of the sensor responsible for the Face ID facial recognition function.
There were already rumors that pointed to the said reduction in the size of the notch, but now it seems that the chip manufacturer VCSELs from Face ID confirms it. We already know one more thing about the next iPhone 13.
It appears that Apple has managed to reduce the size of the matrix of the VCSEL chips used in the scanner. Face ID. This will undoubtedly help to reduce production costs, as more chips can be produced on a single wafer, reducing the total production of the same.
The new VCSEL chip may allow Apple to integrate new functions into the component, yet to be confirmed. But what is certain is that it will free up internal space of the device, and will make the happy characteristic notch of the screens of the iPhones reduce its size.
This new smaller component will be used in the new iPhones and iPads released in late 2021 onwards. The first devices to mount the new chip will presumably be the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Proas well as the next generation of models iPad Pro.
Previous rumors have already suggested that the notch in the iPhone 13 models will be reduced in size, thanks to a redesigned camera module that integrates the Rx, Tx and flood illuminator to allow such reduction.
One way or another, it is clear that Apple is doing its best to reduce notch of the iPhone screen to its minimum expression, while finding a way to eliminate it permanently, either with a Face ID sensor or a fingerprint sensor under the screen. But that will still require some time for its development and real application on an iPhone. Or not…