From Yoshita Singh
New York:Technology giant Apple today launched the highly-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus beginning at USD 649 with advanced technologies like immersive stereo speakers and air pods and the new phones will be available to customers in India beginning October.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage in San Francisco to introduce the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, calling it the “best, most advanced iPhone ever, packed with unique innovations that improve all the ways iPhone is used every day.”

The new iPhone features new advanced camera systems, come with more power and performance, more battery life, immersive stereo speakers and is the first water and dust resistant iPhone.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries beginning September 16 and will also be available to customers in India beginning October 7.

“iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus dramatically improve every aspect of the iPhone experience, reaching a new level of innovation and precision to make this the best iPhone we have ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“The completely redesigned cameras shoot incredible photos and videos day or night, the A10 Fusion chip is the most powerful chip on any smartphone while delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone, and an entirely new stereo speaker system provides twice the sound, all within the first water and dust resistant iPhone.”

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB models starting at USD 649 (US).

Through Apple s iPhone Upgrade Program, customers in the US, and for the first time in the UK and China, will also be able to get an unlocked iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.

The new Apple-designed wireless AirPods including charging case will be available for $159 in the US beginning in late October. All iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models will include EarPods with Lightning Connector and a Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter.

The new iPhones have 12-megapixel camera that provide optical image stabilization, a larger aperture and 6-element lens. iPhone 7 Plus features the same 12-megapixel wide angle camera as iPhone 7 and adds a 12-megapixel telephoto camera that together offer optical zoom at two times and up to 10 times digital zoom for photos.

Apple also introduced new technology that replaces the earphones with Air Pods. New stereo speakers in the phone will offer sound that is two times louder than iPhone 6s. The new iPhone comes with EarPods with Lightning connector to deliver “incredible sound, as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter that allows customers to use old headphones and accessories.”

“AirPods introduce an effortless wireless listening experience packed with high quality audio and long battery life, coming in late October.

“New AirPods, Apple s innovative new wireless headphones, weave simplicity and technology together to reinvent the wireless experience making headphones easy to use,” the company said.

Apple also launched Apple Watch Series 2, the next generation of its popular smartwatch, with features including a water resistance 50 meter rating for swimming, and built-in GPS so users can now run without an iPhone.

In a tie-up with sports giant Nike, Apple said the Apple Watch Nike+ will be available in India and other countries late October.

Apple Watch Nike+ will be available at a price range of Rs 32,900- Rs34,900 from Nike.com, select Nike retail stores, select Apple Authorised Resellers and select specialty stores and department stores.

PTI