After weeks of hype and speculation, Apple unveiled a slimmer, faster and bigger iPhone 5 in San Francisco overnight.
The iPhone 5 features a 5-inch Retina display, which is taller than the 4.5-inch screen of its predecessors. Despite this increase in screen size, the phone is 18 percent thinner than the iPhone 4S, with a 7.6mm body, and is around 20 percent lighter.
“iPhone 5 is the most beautiful consumer device that we’ve ever created,” Apple senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller said.
The new iPhone runs on a faster A6 processor as well as the iOS 6 mobile operating system and delivers an improved wireless internet connection. Battery life has also been improved.
A metal backplate is designed to improve the iPhone 5’s hardiness, with Apple deciding to move away from the glass design that made the iPhone 4 and 4S fragile.
Although the camera doesn’t have any more megapixels than the iPhone 4S, Apple has redesigned it to be smaller and feature a sapphire crystal lens cover to deliver improved images.
New video features include improved stabilisation, video face detection for up to 10 faces and the ability to take still photos as you record. A new FaceTime HD front facing camera improves clarity and can also be used for self-portraits and to record 720p HD video.
The iOS 6 operating system delivers some 200 new features to the phone, including Apple’s new Maps app, Facebook integration and added Siri features.
The iPhone 5 will be available in Australia from Friday September 21, with the 16GB model to begin at $799, the 32GB model at $899 and the 64GB model at $999.
