CUPERTINO (Reuters): Apple Inc has unveiled the iPhone 13 and a new iPad mini recently, expanding 5G connectivity and showing off faster chips and sharper cameras without raising the phone’s price.
The Cupertino, California-based company did not announce any blockbuster features or products, but analysts expect customers hanging onto older models like the iPhone X will be eager to upgrade.
The iPhone 13 will have a new chip called the A15 Bionic that enables features like automatically translating text. The phone also has a better display, longer battery life, and a Cinematic mode for automatically changing focus while taking videos. Apple said the iPhone 13 will have custom 5G antennas and radio components for faster speeds and will come in five colours.
The phone will start at US$699 (RM2,909.24), and participating wireless carriers will offer up to US$700 off for qualifying trade-ins. The iPhone 13 Pro starts at US$999 and the Pro Max starts at US$1,099, with trade-in offers of up to US$1,000. All three models will be available on September 24.
The prices are unchanged from last year, but some carriers such as AT&T Inc will offer the devices for no additional charge with subsidies of up to US$1,000 if customers trade in a previous model and sign up for an installment plan.
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Verizon Communications Inc and T-Mobile US Inc offered similar deals but with slightly lower subsidies up to US$700. The biggest subsidies will go to customers who turn in iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models.
The iPhone is Apple’s most important product, but Apple has rolled out a web of service and other products that are seen as locking customers into a system they enjoy — and would find expensive to leave. The Series 7 smartwatch will feature a larger display and faster charging. It will start at US$399 and be available later this autumn.
