Apple unveils latest iPhone

APPLE HAS unveiled the latest iPhone at an event in San Francisco, describing it as “the most beautiful product we’ve made bar none”.

The sixth generation of the smartphone offers a larger, four-inch display but is 18 per cent thinner and 20 per cent lighter than its predecessor.

Apple’s Phil Schiller took to the stage in San Francisco to unveil the iPhone 5, describing it as “an absolute jewel”.

The display has been increased to four inches, while the handset also includes three microphones for better audio and an improved eight-megapixel camera.

The 30-pin dock connector that Apple used in its previous iPhone, iPod and iPad models has also been replaced, with a new connector dubbed “Lightning”. However, Apple will offer an adapter to allow users to use older accessories with the new iPhone.

The phone is powered by a new A6 processor, which Schiller said is faster than its predecessor and more energy-efficient.

The iPhone 5 will go on sale on September 21st in the US, UK and other countries, with Ireland in the second wave a week later.

Apple’s latest version of its mobile software, iOS6, will bring new features such as Facebook integration and improved Siri.