Cheaper for Apple, not for you

There’s a price difference of just about ₹ 7,000 between the two latest iPhone models. The premium iPhone 5s, the world’s first 64-bit smartphone with Touch ID, will cost $649 (₹1,750) for 16 GB.

The much-speculated Apple event on Tuesday night (IST) resulted in the unveiling of two new phone models and the announcement of a software update. The premium iPhone 5s, the world's first 64-bit smartphone with Touch ID, will cost $649 (₹1,750) for 16 GB. But it was the cheaper model — the iPhone 5c — that was a disappointment.

Targeting emerging markets around the world, including India and China, the phone was supposed to provide direct competition to models by local and international giants in the mid-budget segment. However, at a price of $549 (₹5,500) for 16 GB, which is just ₹,000 less than the premium model, the phone works out cheap for Apple, not for the consumer.

There is no news yet on when the two phones will be available in India. However, users will be able to upgrade to iOS 7 from September 18 on iPhone 4, 4s and 5, iPad 2, 3 and 4, iPad mini and iPod touch (fifth generation).

iOS 7
Here's what you can expect from this software update:
Design: The iOS has always been known for its simplicity. And this time too, the focus has been on keeping things user-friendly.
Control Center: Access all apps and controls in a swipe.
Notification Center: Every Android phone boasts of one, and the iOS takes it one step further with Today, a feature that provides the user with a summary of everything that day.
Camera: Introduces Years, Collections, and Moments — smart groupings of your photos and videos based on time and place.
AirDrop: Pass on photos, videos, contacts from any app with a Share button. Just tap Share, then select the person you want to share with. It does the rest using WiFi and Bluetooth. The transfers are also encrypted.

iPhone 5c
Here's what's new:
Design: Marketed as "beautifully, unapologetically plastic," the phone has a polycarbonate wrap-around the back and comes in five pastel shades — a first for an Apple product.
a6 chip: Apps launch faster, downloads take lesser time and games come with console-level graphics. Power is clearly the keyword. The makers claim that battery life will not be affected. Expect 10 hours LTE browsing and talk time.
Camera: The 8MP iSight has some help from a new camera app that allows you to shoot images in a square format. Eight live filters added.
Facetime hd camera: Offers larger pixels and an improved backside illumination sensor that increases its sensitivity in low light.
Apps: Five exclusive iOS productivity apps — Keynote, Pages, Numbers, iPhoto and iMovie — will now come free with every new iPhone or iPad.

iPhone 5s
Apple's "most forward-looking phone"?
Design: The premium phone will be available in three colours — gold, silver and grey — with a sapphire crystal in the home button.
Fingerprint sensor: Goodbye password. This is the first phone to introduce Touch ID — a fingerprint identity sensor. It can be used to unlock the phone and also approve purchases from the iTunes Store, the App Store, and the iBooks Store.
64-bit smartphone: The A7 chip gives CPU and graphics performance up to 2x faster than the A6 chip. And gaming gets hardcore with OpenGL ES version 3.0, which delivers detailed graphics and complex visual effects.
M7 coprocessor: It's designed specifically to measure motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. This also could be a gateway to the rumoured iWatch.
accessories: Premium leather cases were also launched along with the product.