MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Apple announces two new iPhones, 5S and 5C

Sep 10, 2013, 10:25 AM | Updated: 3:53 pm

Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage about the camera quality during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Donald Mustard, CEO of Epic Games, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks during the new product release in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5c in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Apple VP of Marketing Phil Schiller shows off the new iPhone 5C at an event Tuesday at company headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. (AP image)

(AP image)

Apple is doubling down with its newest iPhone, announcing two different models Tuesday including a less expensive plastic model.

The flagship is named the iPhone 5S. Made of aluminum, it will come in three colors: silver, gold and black.

The 5S features a new 64-bit A7 chip the company boasts is 40 times faster than the first iPhone. “It’s a huge leap forward in mobile computing performance,” boasted Apple VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller in announcing the new phone.

Along with the dramatically improved performance, the company is touting the new camera on the 5S. It features a new five-element, Apple-designed lens with f/2.2 aperture and 15 percent larger active sensor area to help improve image quality. It also features a burst mode, auto focus and what the company is calling “True Tone,” which Schiller says allows for two colors of flash to create 1,000 unique variations in flash tone to reduce clashing color temperatures.

The 5S also boasts high-speed, 120fps video recording so you can make slow-motion videos.

“This is DSLR-level stuff,” said Schiller.

Apple will sell the 16GB model for $199. The 32GB model is $299, 64GB is $399, all with a new two-year contract.

One of the completely new features is a fingerprint scanner that eliminates the need to enter a passcode for security. And the new fingerprint scanner lets you make purchases from the iTunes store without a password.

While Apple calls it the most technologically advanced phone ever, it’s not a huge leap. The 5S is the same screen size as its predecessor, the iPhone 5. And Apple says the battery life is just equal to or slightly better than the iPhone 5, leaving some analysts disappointed.

For the first time, Apple is also offering a less expensive model, the iPhone 5C.

“iPhone 5C is beautifully, unapologetically plastic,” said Apple’s design chief Jonathan Ive.

The iPhone 5C will come in five colors: blue, white, pink, yellow, green. It starts at $99 with a mobile contract for a 16GB model, $199 for 32GB. The company is also offering six interchangeable color cases for $29 each.

The iPhone 5C features a 4-inch retina display, like the iPhone 5, as well as an A6 chip inside with what Schiller promises is “blazing-fast performance.” It includes an 8MP iSight camera, with the same lens IR filter on the iPhone 5.

Apple says its next mobile operating system, iOS 7, will be available as a free download on Sept 18.

Craig Federighi, head of software at Apple Inc., said that “downloading iOS 7 is like getting an all new device.”

The new system can be downloaded on the iPhone 4 and later models, as well as on the tablets beginning with the iPad 2.

Apple also says it expects to ship its 700 millionth iOS device next month. Apple CEO Tim Cook predicts that iOS 7 will become the most popular mobile operating system in the world.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

11 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

12 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

14 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

14 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

15 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

18 hours ago

Apple announces two new iPhones, 5S and 5C