For all the build-up, Apple’s latest media event contained few surprises.
True to rumor, two new versions of the iPhone will hit the streets at the end of the month: the latest flagship device, the iPhone 5s, and a lower-end alternative, the iPhone 5c. Apple also unveiled its final version of iOS 7, which will ship out with the company’s new smartphones.
The new handsets will be available in-store from September 20th, with pre-orders beginning September 13th.
While we’ll be looking at each of the products in more detail later, here’s a summary of what Apple revealed today to get you up-to-date.
The iPhone 5s
The successor to the iPhone 5 was far from a disappointment, but seeing as the main features had been all but confirmed by leaks and rumors, Apple's big reveal was missing an element of surprise.
The phone’s biggest improvement is the introduction of its TouchID fingerprint scanner, replacing the need for the traditional passcode to unlock the device. It’s definitely more secure than a 4-digit PIN, and it can also be used to confirm your identity when making purchases from iTunes or the App store.
The 5s will also come with an improved camera, with a larger sensor and a redesigned lens for taking better photos in low light. The camera will also feature a ‘True Tone’ dual-LED flash (one cool blue LED, one warm amber LED) for a better color balance. A new Burst mode will allow you to take ten frames per second, and the camera also allows for 28-megapixel panoramas. Finally, you’ll now be able to take slow-motion video at 120 frames per second.
Apple is also promising a faster processing speed (up to five times faster than the iPhone 5) and improved graphics performance thanks to the new 64-bit A7 processor.
Other info:
- Will come in three colors: silver, gold and ‘space gray’ (aka black).
- Includes an M7 ‘motion co-processor’.
- Supports 13 LTE bands.
- Improved battery life, with up to 250 hours of standby, 10 hours of talk and 10 hours of LTE use.
- Will retail for $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB, with a 2-year cell phone service contract.
The iPhone 5c
Apple’s new 'low-cost' iPhone option is, essentially, an iPhone 5 wrapped in a plastic case.
The noticeable difference is the phone’s build. The rear of the handset is made from brightly colored polycarbonate – in Apple’s words, it’s ‘beautifully, unapologetically plastic’.
Like the 5s, it will support 13 LTE bands and has an improved battery. But overall, the 5c has more in common with the iPhone 5, with the same A6 processor and the same 8-megapixel rear camera. However, the 5c will feature an improved FaceTime HD camera at the front of the phone.
Despite the marketing hype, the 5c is still going to be a high-end device; it’s basically the last iPhone with a vibrant coat of paint.
Other info:
- Available in green, blue, yellow, red and white.
- Will retail for $99 for the 16GB model and $199 for 32GB, with a 2-year cell phone service contract.
iOS 7
Apple first gave the public a preview at its latest operating system in June, and the company has made a few tweaks since then. While it’s hard to say just how different the user experience will be without getting our hands on it, the big difference so far is a new interface design and changed color palette.
iOS 7 comes with over 200 new features. Notable new additions include Control Center, which will be accessible from the bottom of your screen; Notifications Center, which lists all your notifications from the Lock Screen; and Today, which summarizes all the important details of your day such as meetings and events.
The Camera and Photos apps will be updated with added features and options, Safari’s user interface has been redesigned, and Siri now comes with new male and female voices.
Other features include:
- AirDrop, to share files and media with other iPhone users nearby
- FaceTime audio
- New ringtones, alarms and system sounds
iOS 7 will be available from September 18 and is compatible with iPhone 4 and later, the iPad 2 and later, the iPad Mini, and the 5th generation iPod Touch.
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