As expected, Apple today announced the newest entries in the iPhone line, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
The new phones feature something called 3D Touch, which is positioned as being the next evolution of multi-touch input. The devices recognize force, which allow you to do things like bring up shortcuts for apps from the home screen or peek at content when inside of apps. This is said to be “deeply integrated” into iOS 9 and sounds similar to the force touch feature seen in the latest iterations of the MacBook.
Both the 6S and 6S Plus are equipped with the new 64-bit A9 chip and a new Touch ID sensor that recognizes your fingerprint up to twice as fast. There’s also a new 12MP iSight camera that can auto-focus more quickly and is capable of recording 4K videos. The new Live Photos feature allows you to touch a photo and view a brief video (which isn’t actually a video, but a series of still images) showing the moment when that photo was taken.
The devices are both available in four colors: silver, gold, space gray, and rose gold. The iPhone 6S will be available in 16 GB ($199), 64 GB ($299), and 128 GB ($399) sizes. The 6S Plus will be available in 16 GB ($299), 64GB ($399), and 128 GB ($499) sizes. Both devices will be available for preorder on September 12, and will then launch on September 25.
The new operating system, iOS 9, launches on September 16.
Apple also announced a new app for Android devices that makes it easier to move important data when deciding to move to an iPhone. “It’s the neighborly thing to do, right?” Apple marketing boss Phil Schiller said.
At the same event, Apple revealed the new Apple TV and iPad Pro.
Today’s news comes exactly one year after the event where Apple announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Both of those devices have been tremendously successful for the company, helping Apple to post a huge profit during its most recent fiscal quarter.