Technology giant Apple has launched its much-awaited fifth generation iPhone, which its describes as the thinnest and lightest yet.
The main features of the iPhone 5 are a 4-inch Retina display (up from 3.4), an Apple-designed A6 chip for fast performance, increased battery life, new camera and ultrafast wireless technology.
iPhone 5 comes with the new iOS 6 operating system, with over 200 new features including the all new Maps app. Apple has designed new cartography and turn-by-turn navigation, replacing the previous Google maps app. It offers greater Facebook integration, Passbook organisation and enhanced Siri features and languages.
“iPhone 5 is the most beautiful consumer device that we’ve ever created,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior VP of worldwide marketing.
“We’ve packed an amazing amount of innovation and advanced technology into a thin and light, jewel-like device.”
iPhone 5 is the thinnest smartphone yet built, with a new 7.6mm anodised aluminum body that is 18 per cent thinner and 20 per cent lighter than iPhone 4S.
The new 4-inch Retina display on iPhone 5 delivers even more pixels than iPhone 4S, and by making the screen taller, not wider, Apple says the iPhone 5 is just as easy to use with one hand.
The eight megapixel iSight camera is completely redesigned with optical performance, and it’s 25 per cent smaller than the camera in iPhone 4S. It features a sapphire crystal lens cover that is thinner and more durable than standard glass with the ability to provide crystal clear images.
A new panorama feature allows users to capture panorama images of up to 28 megapixels by simply moving the camera across a scene in one smooth motion. New video features include improved stabilisation, video face detection for up to 10 faces and the ability to take still photos as you record.
iPhone 5 features the new Lightning connector that is smaller, smarter and more durable than the previous connector and can be inserted either way.
The phone features new audio features including a new beam-forming, directional microphone system for higher quality sound, while background noise fades away with new noise cancelling technology.
Apple has designed new EarPods featuring “a breakthrough design for a more natural fit and increased durability,” and an acoustic quality typically reserved for higher-end earphones.
The phone comes in either white and silver or black and slate, and will be available in the US for a retail price of US$199 for the 16GB model, US$299 for the 32GB model and US$399 for the 64GB model. Australian prices are more than double, with the 64gig model reportedly to cost $999.
iPhone 5 will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK on September 21, and customers can pre-order their iPhone 5 beginning September 14.
iPhone 5 will roll out worldwide to 22 more countries on September 28, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
GB
