iPhone 5 available in Singapore on Sept 21

 Apple's new iPhone will be available for pre-order from tomorrow with a bigger screen and 4G wireless technology, which will allow users to tap onto a fast next-generation mobile data network that can theoretically enable download speeds of up to 100Mbps.

During an event held to launch its new iPhone and iPods last night (this morning, Singapore time), Senior Vice-President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller revealed Apple was working with SingTel and M1 on making the iPhone 5 compatible with the telcos' respective LTE networks All three telcos, including StarHub, have released press statements saying that they will offer the iPhone 5 from Sept 21 onwards.

The iPhone 5, which comes in either white and silver or black and slate, will be available in Singapore for a suggested retail price of S$948 including GST for the 16GB model, S$1,088 for the 32GB model and S$1,238 for the 64GB model. The next-generation smartphone will be available from the Apple Online Store and select Apple Authorised Resellers.

At its unveiling yesterday, Apple claimed that the iPhone 5 is the "world's thinnest smartphone" at 7.6mm. It weighs 20 per cent lighter than the iPhone 4S at 112 grammes.

The mobile device comes with Apple's new A6 dual-core processor, which will enable the new smartphone to run twice as fast as the iPhone 4S. The size of the phone's dock connecter, dubbed "Lightning", has been reduced by 80 per cent.

One popular enhancement was improved battery endurance - the iPhone 5's power core can support eight hours of 4G Web browsing.

The smartphone's camera still captures images at 8 megapixels but its optics and image processing techniques have been refined to produce better pictures. It also gains the ability to virtually stitch photos to create panoramic images.

The event also saw an overhaul of the iPod nano and iPod touch. The iPod nano now comes in an all-new form-factor with a 2.5-inch multitouch display and comes with features like video playback, a pedometer and an FM radio built-in. The iPod touch will feature the same 4-inch high-resolution screen that is available on the iPhone 5 and comes with an improved processor and camera.

The new iPhone will improve on the search capabilities of its Siri voice assistant and will use Apple's own mobile mapping service instead of Google's software. Other additions include turn-by-turn voice directions for navigation, and a new in-house app called "Passbook" that organises a user's electronic airline tickets, movie tickets and restaurant loyalty cards.



NO WOW FACTOR?

The iPhone 5 met the predictions laid out by gadget geeks and tech analysts ahead of the unveiling last night (this morning, Singapore time), but offered few surprises to give Apple shares - already trading near record highs - another major kick.

Apple had already telegraphed many of the software changes to expect in iPhone 5 when it debuted iOS 6, its latest mobile operating system, in June. iOS 6 software will be available next Wednesday as a free software update.

"There is no 'wow' factor because everything you saw today is evolutionary. I do think they did enough to satisfy," said Mr Michael Yoshikami, Chief Executive of Destination Wealth Management.

Analysts have forecast sales of 10 million to 12 million of the new iPhones in this month alone. Other industry analysts turned quickly to speculating about what else was in Apple's product pipeline ahead of the crucial end-year holiday season, especially as the company stayed mum about an oft-rumored TV device or a smaller iPad.

"We would really like to see the iPad Mini in the product offering for the all important holiday quarter. They still have time," saidMr Channing Smith, co-manager of the Capital Advisors Growth Fund. "As soon as we see that, we will have more conviction about the stock heading into the final quarter."

Apple shares ended the day up 1.4 per cent at US$669.79.

Apple has sold more than 243 million iPhones since 2007, and the device ushered in the current applications ecosystem.

But Samsung now leads the smartphone market with a 32.6 per cent share followed by Apple with 17 per cent, according to market research firm IDC. Both saw shipments rise compared to a year ago, with Samsung riding its flagship Galaxy S III phone. WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AGENCIES