New Delhi: Apple unveiled the much-awaited iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones at its event in San Francisco. While the new iPhones come with the same screen sizes as their predecessors (the iPhone 6s with a 4.7-inch display, and the iPhone 6s Plus with a 5.5-inch display), they are claimed to be more stronger than the last-gen models. Apple says the frames of the new iPhones are made of a stronger form of aluminum.
Apple introduced new iPhone models with faster processors and a new feature called 3D Touch, which allows easy access to frequent tasks by holding down on an icon. For instance, it'll be possible to update a Facebook status right from the home screen.
With 3D Touch, pressing down hard on the new iPhones launch additional capabilities. For example, you can get quick access to tasks such as taking a selfie or getting directions home. From a message, 3D Touch will give you a preview of a Web link without launching the browser.
The harder and longer a user presses on the screen dictates the display's response. A light touch on the home screen could offer a view of an app but a longer hold will launch an application or trigger another action.
Apple introduced this concept with some Mac laptops in March. It's called Force Touch on other devices. Press for a few seconds on a document icon, and a preview pops out. Press on an address in an email, and a map opens up. On some video apps, the pressure determines how quickly you forward or rewind.
The new iPhones will have sharper cameras. Apple says that the main camera on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will have a resolution of 12 megapixels. It's the first increase since 2011, when the iPhone 4s got 8 megapixels, compared with 5 megapixels before.
But many high-end Android phones have long had more. Samsung phones, for instance, have 16 megapixels, while an upcoming Sony phone will have 23 megapixels.
Apple said that it waited until it could ensure delivering more megapixels without image degradation.
Meanwhile, the front camera for selfies is getting a boost to 5 megapixels, from 1.2 megapixels, matching Samsung's latest phones. Plus, the new iPhones will use the main display as a flash, something the front camera now lacks.
And video recording will be improved to the Ultra HD, or 4k, resolution found on Samsung and Sony phones.
The new iPhones are engineered with the A9 (64-bit 3rd generation) chip, and include the 2nd generation TouchID sensor - twice as fast.
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be available in gold, silver, space gray and the new rose gold metallic finishes.
Last fall, Apple got some complaints that the iPhone 6 Plus was more prone to bending than previous models. Apple defended its manufacturing standards and said bending was rare with normal use of an iPhone. The stronger frame in this year's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus should help reduce those problems.
Price and availability
The new iPhones will go on sale on September 25, with advance orders starting on September 12. That's a week later than Apple's typical playbook. Usually, new iPhones go on sale on the second Friday after their announcements.
Consistent with past models, the iPhone 6s will start at $200 with a two-year service contract. The iPhone 6s Plus will start at $300 with a contract. Last year's models will cost $100 less.
The markets getting it right away are the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK.
The base models of the new iPhones will come with 16 gigabytes of storage, even as Samsung and other phone makers are now offering 32 gigabytes to start.
But for $100 more, Apple is offering 64 gigabytes. For an extra $200 over the base prices, Apple is offering 128 gigabytes.
Unlocked iPhone 6s will be available at $649 for 16 GB, $749 for 64 GB, and $849 for the 128 GB model. The bigger iPhone 6s Plus will come at $749 for the 16 GB base model, followed by $849 and $949 for the 64 GB and 128 GB variants.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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