Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed the iPhone 6 on Thursday, saying, “Today, we are pleased to announce the biggest advancement in iPhone.”
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The new model iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch display, while the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch display, it was revealed.
The resolution of the new phone is 1334 by 750, with 326 pixels per inch, while the phones will run on the Apple-designed A8 chip, which has up to 25 percent faster processing power and up to 50 percent faster graphics.
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Graphics on the iPhone 6 are 84 times faster than those of the original iPhone.
The energy efficiency of the iPhone 6 is also boosted, up to 50 percent, which will yield higher sustained performance.
The iPhone 6’s camera, an 8 megapixel iSight, boasts an all-new sensor, which Apple said would help the iPhone 6 focus faster and better. The camera will also include advanced noise reduction.
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In terms of price, the iPhone 6 will range from $199 for the 16 GB model to $399 for the 128 GB version. The iPhone 6 Plus will range from $299 for the 16 GB version to $499 for the 128 GB version.
“These iPhones obviously have bigger displays, but more importantly, they’re amazing products in every single way,” Cook said.
The new phones will be available in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Japan and other areas Sept. 19, with pre-order beginning Sept. 12.
During Thursday’s event, Cook also introduced the new service Apple Pay, which he called “an entirely new payments solution.” The feature will work with the American Express, MasterCard and Visa, as well as with bank issuers that handle 83% of the credit card purchase volume.
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Apple has come under criticism in recent weeks on the security front, given the nude photo scandal that left numerous celebrities exposed on the internet. An Apple-based payment system might seem a bit chancy, however, Apple touted the new payment system as more secure than carrying a credit card. With the contactless system, cashiers don’t see consumers’ names, card numbers or security codes, while Apple will remain unaware of what consumers bought, where they bought it, or how much they paid for it. If the consumer loses his iPhone, he can use Find My iPhone to suspend payments for for that device.
The Apple Pay service will be available in the U.S. next month, and plans to take it worldwide in “the near future.”
During Apple’s event, held at the Flint Center in Cupertino, Calif., Cook also introduced the Apple Watch, which he categorized as “the most personal device we’ve ever created.” Among the features of the Apple Watch is a digital crown which, Apple said, will allow users to scroll, zoom and navigate the device without covering the display.
The Apple Watch’s other features include a range of faces with “million of ways to personalize them,” the company said.
The Apple Watch also features the Siri app, as well as a Maps app that offers turn-by-turn directions.
It also contains a heavy fitness element. Touting the watch as an “all-day fitness tracker and a highly advanced sports watch in a single device,” Apple noted that the device includes a Workout app that displays real-time stats such as calories, time, distance, and pace for users’ workouts.
The Apple Watch will start at $349, and will be available early next year.