Apple’s bid to outflank Android: Tech giant unveils $99 plastic iPhone AND ‘gold-standard’ $399 handset with fingerprint scanner

In what’s been classed as a ‘make or break’ event for Apple, the tech firm has unveiled a cut-price handset called the iPhone 5C as well as a high-end model called iPhone 5S.

The release of the iPhone 5C marks a step away from Apple’s luxe image.

Many believe the move is a desperate bid to poach Samsung buyers, as the Korean company and its plastic, cheaper handsets go from strength to strength.

In what's been classed as a 'make or break' event for Apple, the Californian-based tech firm has unveiled its plastic iPhone 5C that comes in a range of colours and will cost £469.

In what’s been classed as a ‘make or break’ event for Apple, the Californian-based tech firm has unveiled its plastic iPhone 5C that comes in a range of colours and will cost £469.

The iPhone 5S is a modified version of the iPhone 5. It comes in three colours - gold, silver and slate - and was Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phill Schiller, pictured, claimed it is twice as fast as the current handsetThe iPhone 5S is a modified version of the iPhone 5. It comes in three colours – gold, silver and slate – and was Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phill Schiller, pictured, claimed it is twice as fast as the current handset

Apple traditionally releases a brand new handset once a year, before releasing a follow-up model with incremental changes the next, for example, the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S.

This year, however, was the first time Apple had been linked to two new handsets at the same event.

And in announcing the new devices, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook declared the company would be discontinuing the current iPhone 5 model.

The iPhone 5C has a 4-inch Retina display.

It has the same A6 processor as the current iPhone 5 model, as well as the same 8-megapixel rear camera.

THE IPHONE 5S AND 5S SPECIFICATIONS

THE IPHONE 5C

 4-inch Retina display.

A6 processor – same as the iPhone 5.

The battery is slightly larger than it was on the iPhone 5.

It has the same 8-megapixel rear camera and a new FaceTime HD camera.

It supports ‘more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world.’

Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0

The handset will cost £469 for 16GB and £549 for 32GB when bought outright.

Contract prices may be lower.

THE IPHONE 5S

The handset comes in three colours: gold, silver and slate.

A7 chip is twice as fast as the iPhone 5.

Built-in fingerprint scanner and Touch ID feature unlocks the phone and can be used to purchase apps.

Dual-flash LED camera with 28-megapixel panoramic photos.

The iPhone 5S has 10 hours of talk time and 250 hours of standby.

The 16GB handset will cost £549 up to £709 for 64GB.

Contract prices may be lower.

The FaceTime front-facing camera has been improved to HD, too.

Apple’s iPhone 5C is made of polycarbonate plastic and is reinforced with a steel frame, which acts as the phone’s antenna.

Although it didn’t announce UK pricing at the event, the Apple UK store is showing the iPhone 5C as costing £469 for 16GB and £549 for 32GB if bought outright.

However, it’s expected the iPhone 5C will be considerably cheaper when bought through a contract, with prices starting at $99 in the U.S.

The iPhone 5S comes in three colours – slate, gold, and silver – and is made of high-grade aluminium.

According to The Verge, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller called it ‘perhaps the most forward thinking phone anyone has ever made’ before unveiling the much-rumoured fingerprint scanner built into the phone’s ‘home’ button.

‘In securing a handset, the most common way is to set up a passcode. Unfortunately, some people find that’s too cumbersome.

‘Touch ID uses a key with you have everywhere you go.’

The Touch ID Sensor is 170 microns thin, senses 500 ppi and scans a user’s ‘sub-epidermal skin layers.

Read more: Daily Mail

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