iPhone 5 is finally official

The iPhone 5 has finally received proper announcement. Let’s go through the relevant details from Apple’s press event today, shall we?

First off, the iPhone 5 is officially a thing – Apple’s senior vice president Phil Schiller confirmed as much. It’s launching on the Friday of next week, September 21st in black and white, with pre-orders opening up this Friday, September 14th.

[iPhone 5 is] an absolute jewel… the most beautiful product we have ever made, bar none,” Schiller said.

Apple detailed the smartphone, describing it as is the thinnest on the market. It boasts a four inch display and, as rumoured, will utilize the new Lightning dock connector which is 80 per cent smaller than the previous 30-pin cable. As a way to ease the switch, the company will be providing an adapter for old accessories.

The new Apple A6 chip (runs twice as fast as the A5), upgraded iSight camera, and iPhone 5-optimized apps were all part of the announcement package as well. Additionally, a new software update (iOS 6) will arrive on Wednesday, September 19th.

The mobile device under contract will cost $199 for the 16GB model, a hundred dollars up for the 32GB, and two hundred dollars up for the 64GB.

With the announcement of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S now goes for $99 and the iPhone 4 is free with contract (both 16GB models).

Apple also revealed new lines of iPod touch and nano devices for October, but the much whispered about iPad mini was nowhere to be found. The company also announced a revamped iTunes will launch for PC/Mac next month.

As for company numbers, Apple has sold 400m iOS devices and 84m iPads through June of this year. Last quarter, 17m iPads were sold, with the tablet claiming 68 per cent of the market share during the period.

Other mind-blowing numbers include: 350m iPods sold. 175,000 iOS games available. 150m current players using Game Center.