Apple iPhone X Asia on-sale dates confirmed

Apple’s most expensive and technologically advanced iPhone yet, the X, was unveiled overnight.

And the tech giant has revealed the new Apple iPhone X Asia on-sale dates.

Preorders for the handset will open on October 27 with the on-shelf date November 3 in the following Asia-Pacific markets: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

In the US, the phone will sell from $999 for the base model 64GB model, but regional pricing has yet to be revealed.

It was one of three major product announcements by Apple. The other two were a new cellular version of its Apple Watch, along with the new generation ‘standard’ iPhone 8. (Scroll down for more details)

The iPhone X has been described by Apple as “the future of the smartphone”, featuring full-front and rear glass design, surrounded by stainless steel frame, with a 5.8-inch ‘Super Retina’ OLED display, A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging and an improved rear camera with dual optical image stabilisation.

Apple iPhone X

With an all-glass front the ‘home’ button has been removed. Instead of activating the phone with a fingerprint, users can unlock the phone, and make payments, using Apple’s Face ID technology – you look at it to switch it on.

The glass back enables a world-class wireless charging solution. Wireless charging works with the established Qi ecosystem, including two new wireless charging mats from Belkin and mophie, available from Apple.com and Apple Stores.

“For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display. The iPhone X is the realisation of that vision,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer.

The home button has been replaced with what Apple describes as “fast and fluid gestures”. Now users swipe up from the bottom to go home from anywhere.

Apple says the new 7-megapixel TrueDepth front camera that enables Face ID features wide-colour capture, automatic image stabilisation and precise exposure control, and brings portrait mode to the front camera for better quality selfies and a depth-of-field effect. The phone also features a redesigned dual 12-megapixel rear camera system with dual optical image stabilisation. The camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone.

The iPhone X will be available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models.

The new iPhone 8

Apple iPhone 2017

Meanwhile, the Asia onsale dates of the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will vary. Orders will be taken from September 15, with availability from September 22 in Australia,  China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. It will be available in India from September 29.

The iPhone 8 features a new glass and aluminum design in three colours – grey, silver and gold –  Retina HD displays and an A11 Bionic chip. They come with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch HD displays, and redesigned stereo speakers up to 25 per cent louder and delivering deeper bass, enabling richer-sounding music, videos and speakerphone calls.

Sold with 64GB and 256GB capacity, the base model will be priced from US$699.

Series 3 Apple Watch

Apple cellular watch

The new Apple Watch Series 3 now features built-in cellular capability.

“Whether users are out for a run, at the pool or just trying to be more active throughout their day, Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular allows them to stay connected, make calls, receive texts and more, even without an iPhone nearby,” says the company.

“The third-generation Apple Watch is an amazing health and fitness companion with intelligent coaching features, water resistance 50 meters and a new barometric altimeter that measures relative elevation.”

The watch comes in two models, one with GPS and cellular, and one with GPS, both featuring a 70 per cent faster dual-core processor and new wireless chip.

“We believe the addition of cellular will transform the way people use Apple Watch, providing a new sense of freedom since they can stay connected with or without their iPhone,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO.

Soon, the combination of cellular and WatchOS 4 will allow Apple Music users to stream 40 million songs from their wrist.

In Asia-Pacific, the cellular watch model can be pre-ordered from September 15, with both models in stores from September 22 in Australia, China and Japan. It will be launched in other countries next year.

Customers will be able to order the GPS-only version from September 15, with availability beginning September 22 in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan and in India and Macau from September 29.

An Apple Watch Nike+ edition will be available to order on Apple.com from September 15, with limited availability on October 5 in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

An Apple Watch Hermès edition will be available to order on Apple.com from September 15, with availability from September 22 in Australia, China and Japan.

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