Apple on Tuesday kicked off this year's holiday with a brand new smartphone, the iPhone 5S, coupled with an emerging market device, the iPhone 5C.
Despite the leaks, and the rumors proven true, Apple still had a few snippets of surprise up its sleeve.
The company's latest smartphone arrives in the same design as its 4-inch predecessor, but with an improved 64-bit Apple A7 chip. It will land later this month with iOS 7, packed with new features, a redesigned user interface, and plenty of improvements..
Also see: All ZDNet iPhone coverage | All CNET iPhone coverage | Techmeme | Apple statement
The device is available for pre-orders on September 13, and consumers in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, the U.K., and other countries, can buy in store on September 20.
Think that's it? Think again. There's a lot to digest in the hour-long media event. Here's a roundup of what you need to know, from ZDNet and sister-sites CNET and CBS News.
Apple launches iPhone 5C: Color, costs aimed at emerging markets
Larry Dignan, ZDNet: The iPhone 5C, one of two iPhone 5 replacements, gives Apple a high-low strategy on pricing. A 16GB version is $99 with two-year contract.
Apple announces iPhone 5S: What you need to know
Zack Whittaker, ZDNet: Apple announced the much-anticipated iPhone 5S at a media event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. Here's the run down of what you need to know.
iPhone 5S in pictures (images) | iPhone 5C first look (images)
ZDNet: The premium next-generation iPhone 5S is sharp and refined, much like its predecessor, and comes in three metallic colors. Meanwhile its low-cost budget iPhone 5C retains the curves reminiscent of an older model, yet remains sleek and professional. Here are the first few snapshots of the two highly-anticipated devices.
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Apple announces iPhone 5S: What you need to know
Apple announced the much-anticipated iPhone 5S at a media event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. Here's the run down of what you need to know.
Apple's iPhone 5S event: By the numbers
Zack Whittaker, ZDNet: Amid the unveiling of the next iPhone, Apple executives dished out the latest on financial figures, sales and shipments, and other numerical nuggets.
What we didn't get from Apple's iPhone event
David Carnoy, CNET: As expected, Apple announced new iPhones at its press event in Cupertino, Calif. But there are plenty of other product refreshes still waiting for a possible October unveiling.
Apple's iWork free on all new iOS devices
Charlie Osborne, ZDNet: At today's keynote, Apple said that the $5-$10 per app fee for the iWork app suite will be scrapped.
Apple announces iPhone 5S, 5C (pictures)
CBS News: Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks during the new product release in Cupertino, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013.
iPhone 5S, 5C to be released in Australia on September 20
Josh Taylor, ZDNet: Australians are set to be amongst the first in the world to get the new iPhone 5S and 5C, which will also work on Optus' new TD-LTE network.
iPhone 5C, 5S coming to U.K., France and Germany: Pricing and availability revealed
Jo Best, ZDNet: U.K. consumers will get a slightly better deal than their continental counterparts when the two Apple devices go on sale next week.
Japan's DoCoMo finally offers iPhones to win back customers
Ellyne Phneah, ZDNet: Japanese mobile carrier has ended its iPhone holdout and offered Apple's latest smartphones, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, after losing customers and market share to rival telcos in the country.
Apple's iPhone 5C misses the low-cost mark
Shara Tibken, CNET: The Cupertino, Calif., giant needs to sell more devices in places like China, but its new "low-cost" iPhone may not be low enough.
Apple iPhone 5C freakouts unwarranted
Larry Dignan, ZDNet: Wall Street really wanted Apple to go downmarket with an iPhone and grow volume at the expense of profit margins. Apple refrained and whining over the iPhone 5C ensued.
The iPhone 5S camera: What sets it apart
Andrew Nusca, ZDNet: Apple's newest mobile phone carries an improved camera, demonstrating how important this consumer feature has become.
iPhone 5S with Touch ID is a big win for BYOD security
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, ZDNet: Apple takes security on the iPhone 5s to the next level by adding a new Touch ID architecture that incorporates a fingerprint reader directly onto the device. This will please both enterprise users and IT admins managing BYOD.
What we know about Apple's Touch ID (FAQ)
Seth Rosenblatt, CNET: Apple's iPhone 5S comes with a front-facing biometric reader, the fingerprint sensor Touch ID. Could this be the beginning of the end for the password? Here's what we know so far.
How is $550 for a 16GB Apple iPhone 5C an emerging market price?
Matthew Miller, ZDNet: Apple revealed a couple of iPhones today with different design elements and very similar pricing. The plastic iPhone 5C is not anywhere close to the value many of us thought it was going to be.
What's right (and wrong) with the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, ZDNet: Apple has lifted the lid on the new iPhone, so it's time to take a look at what's on offer and see what's right and wrong with these flagship smartphones.
iPhone 5S vs. Motorola Moto X | iPhone 5S vs. Nokia Lumia 1020
Andrew Nusca, ZDNet: We compare features, specifications and more for Apple, Motorola's, and Nokia's latest flagship smartphones.
2015: 64-bit ARM chips in iPhone 5S serve up taste of Intel-free future for Apple
Jason Perlow, ZDNet: The most important thing that was heard at the iPhone 5S launch event was talk of a "Desktop-Class" architecture using 64-bit ARM chips of Apple's own design.
The iPhone 5S goes 64-bit: Will it matter?
Larry Dignan, ZDNet: The iPhone 5S' A7 processor is "desktop-class architecture". But what will developers do with it?
How the Apple iPhone 5s can improve the parent-child relationship
Charlie Osborne, ZDNet: Can biometric technology make parents' lives easier in monitoring their children's activity on mobile devices?
iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor: The end of passwords?
Zack Whittaker, CNET: Apple's addition of a fingerprint reader in its latest smartphone, the iPhone 5S, is part of its strategy to double down on device security.
iPhone launch: The thrill is definitely gone
James Kendrick, ZDNet: Apple threw its big iPhone launch bash and in spite of the tech industry's best efforts to whip everybody into a frenzy it fell short. Unlike many years past, there wasn't much announced we hadn't heard before.
iPhone 5S vs. iPhone 5C vs. iPhone 5: Specs compared
Brian Bennett, CNET: See how Apple's two new iPhones stack up against last year's number.
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