Apple debuts power-packed iPhone 5s, featuring new processors and Touch ID fingerprint sensor

Apple calls it their “most forward-thinking iPhone yet” and with the slew of features packed in the new iPhone 5s, they are trying to back up those words. The Cupertino-based company boasts that the A7 ARM chip inside the iPhone 5s makes it the world’s first smartphone with a 64-bit desktop-class architecture that is said to be 40x faster than the original iPhone and bringing with it graphics power that is 56x faster as well. It also runs on an updated iOS 7 to support 64-bit processing and has a new Apple chip called M7, which is a “motion co-processor” dedicated to monitoring the phone’s motion and position data. Another new feature in the iPhone 5s is the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that lets you easily unlock the device in any orientation and verify purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store with the touch of a finger on the home button.

This new iPhone also packs in a new 8-megapixel iSight camera with a larger f/2.2 aperture, 10 frames-per-second burst mode, and “true tone” flash for more realistic lighting. It also has 13 LTE wireless band support. However, no NFC support has been mentioned by the company. The iPhone 5s is going to be sold in three colours—gold, silver, and “space grey”—with suggested retail prices of US$199 (16GB), $299 (32GB), and $399 (64GB). It will be available here in Canada at the same time as the iPhone 5c on September 20.

Apple introduces colourful, budget-friendly iPhone 5c

Apple adds a splash of colour to the iPhone family with the cheaper iPhone 5c. The iPhone 5c is powered by Apple’s A6 chip and runs on iOS 7. It features a 4-inch Retina display, 8-megapixel iSight camera, as well as a new FaceTime HD camera. It also comes with 13 LTE wireless bands, which they said is “more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world.” Available in five different shades (blue, green, pink, yellow, and white), the iPhone 5c’s shell has been made with a single, hard-coated polycarbonate body and steel reinforced frame. It will land on our shores on September 20 and its current suggested retail price for the US is at $99 for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model.

Apple introduced six silicone cases alongside the iPhone 5c for more customizability. It comes in blue, green, pink, yellow, black, and white for US$29 and will be available on Apple’s Online Store, retail stores, and selected Apple authorized resellers. 

SlideShow: A look at the Apple iPhone 5c

The newest member of the iPhone familu is the iPhone 5c. With the iPhone 5's best features but in a whole new glossy polycarbonate design, this is the lower-cost iPhone that's designed for emerging markets. Check out our exclusive photos from today's launch event in Apple's Campus in Cupertino.

All photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla/ Canadian Reviewer

Video: Demo of the Apple iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s was unveiled today in Cupertino and is Apple's new flagship smartphone. Featuring an all-new A7 chip, it is the world’s first smartphone with 64-bit desktop-class architecture. New features include an all-new 8 megapixel iSight camera with True Tone flash, and  security from a new embedded Touch ID, an innovative way to simply and securely unlock your phone with just the touch of a finger.

“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, like Touch ID, a simple and secure way to unlock your phone with just a touch of your finger."

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