Apple has announced two new iPhone smartphones this evening. Both have 4-inch ‘Retina’ displays, run the new iOS7 platform and share a similar design to the previous iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5s is the company’s new flagship handset, described as the world’s first smartphone with 64-bit desktop-class architecture. As well as using Apple’s A7 chip it also has an improved 8 megapixel camera and a fingerprint sensor for unlocking. Colour choices are gold, silver and ‘space gray’. Pricing starts from £549 SIM-free for the 16GB version.
The iPhone 5c, which has a polycarbonate back, is available in a choice of five colours. It runs on the older A6 chip but also has an 8 megapixel camera. It costs from £469 for the 16GB model.
Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said “iPhone 5s is the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world, delivering desktop class architecture in the palm of your hand. iPhone 5s sets a new standard for smartphones, packed into its beautiful and refined design are breakthrough features that really matter to people, like Touch ID, a simple and secure way to unlock your phone with just a touch of your finger.”
In-store availability is expected on Friday 20th.
Apple’s new iOS7 operating system will be available to download to existing customers with an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 from next week.