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| Apple unveils bigger iPhone handsets | Apple unveils bigger iPhone handsets |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Apple has unveiled two new smartphones - the iPhone 6 and a larger model, the iPhone 6 Plus. | Apple has unveiled two new smartphones - the iPhone 6 and a larger model, the iPhone 6 Plus. |
| Both are bigger than its previous handsets - features that experts say should appeal to gamers, business workers and others. | |
| They are also about half a millimetre thinner. | |
| Apple also upgraded the displays' resolutions, included a faster processor, added image stabilisation and has promised longer battery life. | |
| The smaller model's screen measures 4.7in (11.9cm) and the larger one's 5.5in (14.0cm). | |
| Apple saw its global share of smartphone shipments slip from 13% to 11.7% between the second quarters of 2013 and 2014, according to research firm IDC. | Apple saw its global share of smartphone shipments slip from 13% to 11.7% between the second quarters of 2013 and 2014, according to research firm IDC. |
| By contrast, Android's share grew from 79.6% to 84.7% over the same April-to-June period, with Samsung the biggest brand and Chinese firms Huawei and Lenovo two of the fastest risers. | By contrast, Android's share grew from 79.6% to 84.7% over the same April-to-June period, with Samsung the biggest brand and Chinese firms Huawei and Lenovo two of the fastest risers. |
| "The main benefit for Apple in going to a larger size of screen is not so much to woo people over to its devices, but to prevent its customers defecting, particularly to devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Note," said John Delaney, head of IDC's European mobility team. | "The main benefit for Apple in going to a larger size of screen is not so much to woo people over to its devices, but to prevent its customers defecting, particularly to devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Note," said John Delaney, head of IDC's European mobility team. |
| "There is a clear preference among a segment of Apple's traditional market for a big phone. | "There is a clear preference among a segment of Apple's traditional market for a big phone. |
| "But one should bear in mind that Apple's decline is relative - the smartphone market has expanded, and most of the expansion has taken place in the lower price bracket that Apple doesn't address." | "But one should bear in mind that Apple's decline is relative - the smartphone market has expanded, and most of the expansion has taken place in the lower price bracket that Apple doesn't address." |
| Apple had previously justified the 3.5in and 4in screen sizes of its existing iPhones as being suited to one-handed use. In 2010, the company's co-founder Steve Jobs went so far as to say "no-one's going to buy" a phone that they could not get a single hand around. | Apple had previously justified the 3.5in and 4in screen sizes of its existing iPhones as being suited to one-handed use. In 2010, the company's co-founder Steve Jobs went so far as to say "no-one's going to buy" a phone that they could not get a single hand around. |
| But one expert said a market had developed for so-called phablets. | But one expert said a market had developed for so-called phablets. |
| "It's not all consumers, but there are some people who want the larger screen real estate," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. | "It's not all consumers, but there are some people who want the larger screen real estate," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. |
| "Watching video is definitely something that appeals on a bigger display, as well as gaming. And for business customers, having more space to do emails properly and look at and edit presentations helps." | "Watching video is definitely something that appeals on a bigger display, as well as gaming. And for business customers, having more space to do emails properly and look at and edit presentations helps." |
| SMARTPHONE SALES BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2014: | SMARTPHONE SALES BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2014: |
| New sensors | |
| Apple said that the A8 chip featured in the new phones would provide 25% faster compute performance than before. | |
| The improved resolutions - dubbed "retina HD" - mean that the iPhone 6 offers 326 pixels per inch and the iPhone 6 Plus 401ppi. While better than before, the resolutions are still beaten in terms of raw numbers by Samsung's flagships - the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4. | |
| New sensors include a barometer, which can sense air pressure to measure the elevation. Apple suggested this would help fitness apps distinguish whether the owner was running up a mountain or along a flatter surface. | |
| The M8 co-processor can now estimate distances as well, which may should also help provide more accurate readings. | |
| The handsets will be available for sale on 19 September. | |
| Apple's press conference in Cupertino, California is still under way. | Apple's press conference in Cupertino, California is still under way. |
| There is widespread speculation the company will also unveil its first new product line since the first iPad and the death of Steve Jobs. | There is widespread speculation the company will also unveil its first new product line since the first iPad and the death of Steve Jobs. |
| Many blogs have predicted a smartwatch, a health-focused wristband or some other form of wearable tech. | Many blogs have predicted a smartwatch, a health-focused wristband or some other form of wearable tech. |
| Although many companies already sell competing products, experts note that Apple has a history of entering sectors relatively late and then changing their direction with a highly influential device of its own. | Although many companies already sell competing products, experts note that Apple has a history of entering sectors relatively late and then changing their direction with a highly influential device of its own. |
| More to follow | More to follow |