ISLAMABAD (MEDIA)
Apple is expected to launch a new version of its iPhone on 10 September, A special event will be held to unveil the device which is believed to be called the iPhone 5S, following previous naming convention from Apple.
Along with likely camera and processor improvements, the new flagship iPhone could include fingerprint sensor technology, following Apple’s acquisition of Authentec in 2012.
There are also reports that the company will unveil a new, low-cost smartphone, called the iPhone 5C. The lower-cost device is believed to feature plastic casing available in a range of colours. There have been previous reports of an iPhone with a bigger screen.
Speculation about a low-cost version of the iPhone has been circulating for some time. A report by China Labor Watch into the working practices of Apple suppliers in July said staff at contract supplier Pegatron has been working on “a scaled-back, less expensive version of the iPhone”.
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s meeting with the head of China Mobile also raised prospects of an iPhone supporting the world’s biggest operator’s 3G TD-SCDMA network.
When discussing Apple’s Q2 results last month, Cook said the company is “laser-focused and working hard on some amazing new products that we will introduce in the fall and across 2014”.
The next-generation iPhone operating system iOS 7 is already in beta testing with developers. The update was announced in June and includes a significant redesign of the iPhone’s menus and icons.
Apple has seen its global market share drop with growing competition from Samsung and lower-cost Android devices. Consumers, investors (and reportedly some board members) have been pressing for the company to innovate more rapidly.