The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are coming this week, and the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro may hit store shelves. But that doesn't mean it's too early to start thinking about the iPhone 13.

Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities nailed many of the iPhone 12 details long before the iPhone 12 shipped, but now the focus is on the iPhone 13. And based on his latest research notes uncovered by MacRumors, look for a serious upgrade to the ultra-wide-angle camera in some of the iPhone 13 models.

Kuo believes that the tentatively titled iPhone 13 will come in the same four model sizes as the iPhone 12 - a 5.4-inch mini, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13, and 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Pro models. More importantly, the ultra-wide cameras on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will be significantly upgraded and will feature a six-element lens with autofocus.

In contrast, the iPhone 12 model has a 5-element ultra-wide-angle lens with fixed focus.

In general, more lenses improve image quality, and the iPhone 12 model has a 7-element lens in its main camera, which is one of the reasons these models performed so well in our photo tests.

Kuo predicts that the phone that comes after the iPhone 13 (probably called the iPhone 14) will have the same main supplier and the same ultra-wide angle camera: Largan. With that in mind, Kuo believes that iPhone 13 shipments will continue to improve and become more robust over the years, eventually returning to the previous September model of launching a new iPhone and bringing it to market.

In addition to improved supply chain conditions, Kuo believes that a stronger 5G infrastructure will be in place in 2021, which could boost iPhone sales next fall.

Some iPhone 13 rumors are already flying, even though the iPhone 12 still reeks of a new model. 2021 iPhone rumors include a smaller notch, an improved Qualcomm modem, and even no ports at all. iPhone without any ports at all.

While there is a long wait for the 13 iPhone models to arrive, we are already getting an early indication of what camera improvements will be made at least a year from now.