Computerworld

​Apple unveils iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, sets NZ date

“The only thing that has changed with iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus is everything.”

Apple’s new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will launch in New Zealand on September 25, as the tech giant unveiled its latest smartphone collection to the watching world this morning.

True to form, Apple revealed details of both devices at the company’s annual launch in San Francisco, but remained coy on pricing despite revealing pre-order dates beginning Saturday, September 12 for Kiwis.

Billed as the “most advanced iPhones ever” - an annual Cupertino expression - the new devices introduce 3D Touch, which senses force to enable new ways to access features and interact with content.

As expected, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also feature Retina HD displays made from the strongest glass on any smartphone and 7000 series aluminium, the same alloy used in the aerospace industry - as Apple likes to point out - in metallic finishes that now include rose gold.

Apple also introduced a new approach to photography called Live Photos, bringing still images to life by capturing a moment in motion.

Available on both devices, Live Photos, 3D Touch and other advancements in the new iPhones are powered by the Apple-designed A9 chip, designed to deliver faster performance and better battery life.

“The only thing that has changed with iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus is everything,” says Philip Schiller, Senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Apple.

“3D Touch lets users interact with iPhone in entirely new and fun ways, and the innovative Live Photos brings your pictures to life.

‘These are the most advanced iPhones ever, with 7000 series aluminium, ion-strengthened glass, the new 64-bit A9 chip, 12-megapixel iSight and 5-megapixel FaceTime HD cameras, faster Touch ID, LTE and Wi-Fi. Customers are going to love them.”

3D Touch

Schiller says both the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus introduce new ways to navigate and experience iPhone by sensing pressure to enable new gestures - Peek and Pop - allowing users to “dip in and out of content without losing your place.”

“Press lightly to Peek at a photo, email, web page or other content, and press a little deeper to Pop into the content itself,” Schiller explains.

“With Quick Actions, 3D Touch provides shortcuts to the things you do most, so you can send a message or take a selfie with just a simple press from the Home screen.”

Enhancements

Other enhancements include high-definition video with improved support for 4K 0 with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, delivering over eight million pixels, and the expansion of optical image stabilisation to video on iPhone 6s Plus, for taking videos in lower light.

After capturing 4K video, users can edit content on Mac, PC or iPad.

Apple also introduced a new 12-megapixel sensor with advanced pixel technology and Apple-designed image signal processor, as well as a new 5-megapixel FaceTime HD camera and Retina Flash, which momentarily makes the display three times brighter with True Tone lighting, Schiller adds.

Advanced Technology

A9, Apple’s third-generation 64-bit chip powers these innovations with 70 percent faster CPU and 90 percent faster GPU performance than the A8, all with gains in energy efficiency for better battery life.

Schiller says the A9 chip and iOS 9 are architected together for “optimal performance” in real world usage.

M9, Apple’s next-generation motion coprocessor, is embedded into A9, allowing more features to run all the time at lower power, including “Hey Siri,” without iPhone needing to be plugged in.

The new iPhones also support up to 23 LTE bands - the most in any smartphone - for better worldwide roaming.

Coupled with iOS 9, Schiller says the operating system brings “more intelligence” to iPhone with improved Siri features, all while protecting users’ privacy.

Pricing & Availability

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be available in gold, silver, space gray and the new rose gold metallic finishes from Apple’s retail stores, Apple.com, select carriers and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Both models will be available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the UK and the US beginning Friday, September 25, with pre-orders beginning Saturday, September 12.

Apple-designed accessories including leather and silicone cases in a range of colours and Lightning Docks in colour-matched metallic finishes will also be available.