The much-anticipated iPhone 6 smartphone were unveiled today in Cupertino, California, and for many Apple fans, it looks like the wait was worth it.
The new iPhones follow the trend of featuring larger screens than previous models: the iPhone 6 reaches 4.7 inches (at 1334×750), while the iPhone 6 Plus comes in at 5.5 inches (at 1920×1080).
Apple’s Cook says the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are “the thinnest phones [they’ve] ever made”, at 6.9mm and 7.1mm, respectively.
Apple is also claiming the new phones offer drastically improved battery life across the board, as seen in the screenshot below:
What could be useful to many iOS users is how the iPhone 6’s landscape mode can split the screen, to offer, for example, texts and emails on one screen. Apple published this screenshot to show the landscape mode in action:
Both phones feature the A8 processor that is 25 percent smaller than the A7 but 25 percent faster than the A7.
Vox notes Apple is playing catchup, though: “In short, these might be the biggest iPhones ever, but they’re still smaller than the largest Android phones. And the smaller iPhone 6 still has fewer pixels than leading Android competitors.”
Cook announced the iPhone 6 starts at $199 (16GB), then goes up to $300 (64GB storage), and top out at $400 (128GB), with contract.
The iPhone 6 Plus, offering the 5.5-inch screen, will be priced at $299 with 16GB, $399 with 64 GB
and $499 with 128 GB.
All the new phones will be available Sept. 18, with pre-orders beginning Sept. 12.
In related news, the new iOS 8 will be available for a free download on Sept. 18.
“These iPhones obviously have bigger displays, but more importantly, they’re amazing products in every single way,” Cook said.
UPDATE:
The iPhone 6 cameras also enjoyed a DSLR-like upgrade. Its 8 megapixel iSight camera will offer a 2.2 aperture that allows for better photos in low-light situations. It will also sport Apple’s True Tone flash and a new sensor. The iPhone 6 Plus will also feature an optical image stabilization.
What is most impressive is the phase detection autofocus, an addition to most high-end mirrorless cameras and DSLRs. This tech allows you to get a speedy autofocus to capture better images.
Turning to video, Apple notes it is adding an improved 240fps video mode for slow-motion videos and — as part of the iOS 8 update — time-lapse videos.
