Apple launches iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus starting $199

Apple took the wraps off the much-awaited next models of its iPhone line, announcing the iPhone 6s and 6s plus, which include a new "3D Touch" feature and a camera capable of capturing 4K Ultra HD video.

"No product is more about innovation than the iPhone," CEO Tim Cook said at the company's launch event. "We have changed everything about these new iPhones."

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will ship in the U.S., China and other countries on Sept. 25, with pre-orders starting Saturday, Sept. 12. The iPhone 6s has a 4.7-inch display and weighs 5 ounces (about a half-ounce heavier than the iPhone 6), while the 6s Plus has a 5.5-inch screen and is 6.8 ounces.

The iPhone 6s starts at $199 and the Plus size starts at $299 (with a two-year wireless contract). Apple also announced a new monthly payment program for customers who want a trade-in option on future models for monthly pricing starting at $32 and $37 respectively.

The new iPhones' multitouch feature, integrated into iOS 9, that provides new interaction capabilities (like holding down a finger to "peek" at a flight number or date in a calendar) and tactile feedback. The new smartphones come in silver, gold, space gray and rose gold.

According to Apple, third-party developers including Facebook and Instagram, Dropbox and WeChat are creating apps with support for 3D Touch.

The iPhone 6s models include a third generation of 64-bit A9 processors, which Apple senior VP of marketing Phil Schiller claimed provides up to 90% faster graphics performance and 70% faster CPU compared with the A8 chip.

The smartphones include a 12-megapixel iSight camera, 50% more than pixels previous iPhones, and for the first time will let users record video in up to 4K resolution.

Apple is heavily reliant on the iPhone, first introduced in 2007. Sales of the smartphones account for two-thirds of Apple's revenue, and the company has introduced new versions on an annual basis. (Reuters)

 LIVE COVERAGE OF LAUNCH

Apple debuts iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus with '3D Touch,' 4k video

11.05pm: Apple revamps iCloud pricing with 50GB costing $0.99 per month; 200GB at $2.99 per month and 1TB at $9.99 per month.

11.00pm: iPhone 6S and 6S Plus to start at 16GB storage. With contract the phones start at $199 - so expect the same pricing startegy as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. iPhone 6s to go on sale starting Sept. 25 across 130 countries and with 400 carriers.

10.58pm: Apple is introducing a new app on the Google Play Store for Android users to move to the iPhone.

10.56pm: Introduces Live Photos that allows users to take a photo and a long press will enable action, that includes movement and even sound.

10.50pm: New iPhone can shoot 4K videos. High-definition 5MP Facetime front camera.

10.48pm: You might soon see new `Shot on the iPhone` ads with more clarity. Autofocus is more faster and accurate, claims Apple.

10.44pm: iPhone 6S is powered by a new A9 Chip, 70 per cent faster in CPU tests and 90 per cent faster in graphics test. 12MP iSight camera introduced in iPhones. Apple says it has 50 per cent more pixels compared to the previous model.

10.33pm: Apple introduces 3D touch in iPhones. 3D Touch is the new multitouch on the iPhone where users can tap, swipe and pinch in a new way. You don't need to double tap the home screen to switch between apps. Just swipe your finger to the right or left with a little force to move between apps, just as if you were sliding between pages. iPhone comes with new display glass that features ion-X.

10.31pm: iPhone Colours: New aluminium alloy silver, gold, spacegrey and rose gold.

10.30pm: Apple chief Tim Cook says they're going to be the most powerful phones.

10.25pm: Apple unveils iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus in 4 new colours.

10.25pm: Apple TV priced at $149 for 32GB and $199 for 64GB, will arrive in late October. Apple TV has impressive specs with 64-bit A8chip, IR receiver and a battery that lasts for three months.

10.20pm: Still waiting for the iPhones...

10.05pm: Apple developes new OS for Apple TV called tvOS. TV will not run on iOS. You can even shop using Apple TV.

10.05pm: Apple TV remote comes with a touchpad. Siri can be used to control the programme and rewind or forward a particular show.

10.00pm: Next-Generation Apple TV launched. TV comes with a glass touch remote and Siri enabled where you can just ask the voice assistant to fetch you new programmes

9.55pm: Future of TV is apps, says Apple.

9.51pm: The device will go on sale starting November.

9.51pm: Apple Pencil is seperately priced at $99 while the keyboard is priced at $169.

9.50pm: iPad Pro price: 32GB is $799; 128GB is 949; 128GB wifi with cellular is $1079.

9.48pm: iPad Pro to come with 8MP iSight camera

9.30pm: Apple also unveils a physical keyboard like the Surface case.

9.27pm: iPad Pro feaures: Biggest iOS screen ever; said to be the most powerful iOS device; 12.9 inch screen; 5.6 million pixel resolution; 64bit A9X chip; double the memory and storage performance compared to A8X CPU performance is as good as a desktop. Faster than 80 per cent of PCS in the market. It offers 10 hours of battery life. The device features four new speakers. It's slightly thicker compared to the iPad Air at 6.9mm and slightly heavier as well. iPad Pro connects to the keyboard through a new smart connector on the side. Also used for power and data supply to the keyboard. New stylus called Apple Pencil. iPad Pro to enable multitasking; shape recognition enables you to draw anything and the app auto corrects. iPad Pro to come with 8MP iSight camera.

9.25pm: New thinner iPad Air weighs in at 1.5 pounds.

9.21pm: Apple launches iPad Pro - the biggest news in iPad since iPad.

9.19pm: Apple unveils several new watch bands in different new colours

9.11pm: Apple chief Tim Cook is on stage explaining the benefits of Apple Watch. "Customer satisfaction with Apple Watch is 97 per cent. Apple Watch has 10,000 apps in the App store. Pregnant woman can feel the baby's heartbeat on her wrist".

9.10pm: Apple's special event begins

In less than 15 minutes Apple is all set to announce its all new iPhones even as the world awaits to see if it will call them iPhone 6S or iPhone7.

This is one of Apple’s biggest event so far this year, and despite rumours of two new devices, and a possible third one with the iPhone 6C, die-hard fans are still expecting Apple to spring a surprise.

Hold your breath, we are bringing you live updates of the launch event, that is scheduled to start any time now.

Journalists and analysts crowded outside a century-old San Francisco arena where Apple is expected to unveil a pair of new iPhones, a larger iPad and an updated Apple TV in the next few minutes.

As lines stretched out across the square that links San Francisco City Hall to the 6,000-seat Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, which is adorned with a big Apple logo, Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue hinted that there would be TV news.

"It's a big day for the big screen!" he tweeted, adding a link to the webcast of the event.

"Just a few hours to go here in SF! We can't wait to show you what we've been working on," CEO Tim Cook tweeted early in the morning.

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