Apple has for the first time unveiled a cheaper smartphone, named the iPhone 5C. It has almost the same specifications as iPhone 5 which was launched as the company`s flagship device last year, but in a plastic body.
The iPhone 5C is cheaper than all iPhones launched till last year, and is said to be targeted at emerging markets like India and China.
Apple also launched its new iPhone 5S which will take over from iPhone 5 as the latest flagship device of the company. It will be available in three colours - gold, white and black.
Unlike the iPhone 5C, this device is made using aluminium and is powered by the A7 processor. The A7 chip is the only one in the world to feature the 64-bit desktop-class architecture and is twice as fast as previous processors in performing tasks and rendering graphics.
The new iPhone 5S has an 8MP camera, which comes with dual-LED flash. The camera`s sensor is 15% larger than that of its predecessor and offers better low-light performance. Apple claims that this phone`s camera can take 20 photos in two seconds, features auto image stabilization and records 720p videos at 120 frames per second (which is the highest for any smartphone). 1080p videos are recorded at 30fps.
iPhone 5S also has an all-new M7 chip that tracks motion data without waking the A7 chip. However, Apple claimed the two-chip system does not affect battery life of the device, which offers 250 hours on standby and 10 hours of talk time on 3G networks.
At the launch, the company showcased the gaming prowess of the iPhone 5S, which supports OpenGL 3.0 standard. The new phone delivers more details and makes graphics more vivid. Google had recently introduced the OpenGL 3.0 standard in Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean). It can render rich and complex visual effects, previously only possible on desktops and gaming consoles.
Apple has also introduced a new biometric feature called Touch ID, using which one can unlock the phone with the touch of a finger.
"With up to twice the CPU and graphics performance, almost everything you do on iPhone 5s is faster and better than ever, from launching apps and editing photos to playing graphic-intensive games," claimed the company later in its press statement.
"iPhone 5s is the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world, delivering desktop class architecture in the palm of your hand," said Philip Schiller, Apple`s senior vice president of worldwide marketing. "iPhone 5S sets a new standard for smartphones, packed into its beautiful and refined design are breakthrough features that really matter to people," he claimed.
Apple`s move to launch a cheaper version is clearly aimed at boosting penetration in key Asian countries like India, China and Japan. However, many may be disappointed as iPhone 5C comes across as old wine in new bottle since it has received hardly any hardware update.
Instead of cutting the prices of its older models, Apple has adopted a different strategy this time. "In the past, we`ve lowered the price of the current iPhone, making it accessible to more people. This year, we`re not going to do that," said Schiller teasingly.
"The business has become so large that this year we`re going to replace the iPhone 5, and we`re going to replace it with not one, but two new designs," he reiterated.
iPhone 5S (with contract) will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB model.
However, Apple fanboys will have to shell out a bomb even for the cheapest unlocked variant. The 16 and 32GB unlocked variants have been priced at a hefty $549 and $649 in the US, respectively.
In first phase, iPhone 5s will start retailing in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK on September 20. A new iPhone 4S 8GB model will also be available for free on contract.
In US, iPhone 5S will be sold via Apple Online Store, Apple`s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and select Apple authorized resellers.
BdST 0336 HRS, SEP 11, 2013
Edited by: Sabbin Hasan, ICT Editor
