iPhone 5 Hardware: What Was Unexpected?

With the unrelenting flood of iPhone 5 rumors over the past few months, it's a wonder that Apple even had a keynote event to announce their latest smartphone. Despite all of the leaked details, there were still some surprises that Apple fans were treated to, even if the rest of the presentation was just confirming what we already knew.

iPhone 5 black official release

Some of the common rumors that were confirmed included a hybrid metal and glass back, LTE network support and a larger 16:9 ratio in-cell touch display. And of course, Apple made the iPhone 5 thinner and lighter than its predecessor, without sacrificing battery life. Still, there were a few surprises that were mentioned in the rumor mill little or not at all.

How Much is the iPhone 5?

The iPhone 5 is 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than the other iPhones, but the price has remained the same. Apple will offer the iPhone 5 for $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB), and $399 (64GB) on September 21. Pre-orders for the next-generation iPhone open on September 14. If you're looking to upgrade from the now discontinued iPhone 3GS, but $200 is out of your price range, you can now nab an iPhone 4S for $99, or receive a free iPhone 4 with a new contract.

iPhone 5 Price

YouTube Releases New Standalone App for the iPhone

Apple is not only kicking Google Maps to the curb, it's also removing the stock YouTube app with the release of iOS 6. YouTube responded by releasing its own standalone app in the App Store on Tuesday. YouTube fans can either download the new app, or keep their old stock app by ignoring iOS 6 when it's released.

iPhone Video Apps

The new YouTube app brings an improved channel guide where users can swipe left or right to navigate their subscribed channels, better search tools that give suggestions while you type, and the ability to share videos on Google+, Facebook, Twitter or via text. YouTube promises the new app will give YouTube users a better mobile experience than the old stock app.

Apple to Announce Improved iPhone 5 Cameras?

Sure we know the iPhone 5 will feature a larger screen, thinner profile, metal back and LTE capabilities. What about the front and rear-facing cameras that iPhone owners use every day? 9to5Mac explains that despite having even less space in the iPhone 5, Apple must upgrade the camera systems to keep pace with competitors.

Sony iPhone 5 camera

Reports surfaced earlier this year that the front-facing FaceTime camera would be upgraded to HD quality. At the time, it was rumored that Apple would stick with the 8-megapixel sensor in the iPhone 4S camera. Since then, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony have been steadily improving their mobile cameras.

iPhone 5 Pricing to Remain Same as iPhone 4S

Even more information regarding Apple's Wednesday iPhone 5 announcement has leaked. This time, sources at 9to5Mac claim Apple will launch one updated iPhone model code named the N42.

iPhone 5

The N42 does not feature NFC components like its sister prototype the N41, which was revealed earlier this year. Apple plans to keep pricing identical to iPhone 4S pricing, which means $199, $299 and $399 subsidized price points depending on how much storage is included.

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