New iPhone models to be launched Sept 20 in Singapore

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http://www.todayonline.com/tech/gadgets/new-iphone-5s-5c-be-launched-sept-20-singapore

Apple launched two new models for its iPhone line this morning - the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, and both models will be available in Singapore from Sept 20.

The iPhone 5c comes in five colours and features the same specifications and horsepower as the the iPhone 5, the device’s most recent predecessor. The smartphone also does not depart from the 4-inch display from the previous model, and the key difference is that the 5c comes in a polycarbonate body reinforced by a steel frame.

Without a contracted subscription plan, pricing for the LTE-based iPhone 5c starts at S$848.

Apple and local telcos like SingTel, M1 or StarHub have not unveiled the subsidised pricing for the iPhone in Singapore yet. Pre-orders for the iPhone 5c will start in Singapore on Sept 13.

Apple also announced the iPhone 5s — a souped-up version of the iPhone 5 that mostly includes improvements under the hood, such as a new 64-bit A7 processor.

Apple claims that the new processor that powers the phone runs twice as fast as the A6 processor, but developers will need to tweak their apps to take full advantage of the processor. The smartphone also features a new dedicated motion processor called the M7 that enables the device to track motion more sophisticatedly.

Apple hopes the M7 will be employed by more health and fitness apps that track activity by using movement sensors on a phone. The company mentioned that Nike was already working on an app that makes use of the processor.

Apart from a slightly different colour scheme (which includes a distinct new “gold” model), the biggest change to the iPhone 5s is the addition of a fingerprint scanner on the physical button located below its display.

Instead of typing a password or code to unlock their devices, users can simply place their finger on the button to bypass the phone’s lock screen or to approve purchases on Apple’s iTunes store. Third-party apps do not have access to the fingerprint scanner yet, according to Apple.

Pricing for the iPhone 5s starts at S$988 for the base 16GB model, without contract. No pre-order dates have been announced for the iPhone 5s.

Apple will also be launching iOS 7, the new version of its mobile operating system, on Sept 18 and will be making its iOS productivity and photo and video editing apps free for customers who purchase its new iOS-based devices.