iPhone 5 will be available in Puerto Rico Sept. 21
Saying iPhone 5 is “the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone,” Cupertino-based Apple unveiled the latest version of its blockbuster handset Wednesday.
Two of the three wireless carriers that includes Apple’s iPhone in their portfolio of devices sold in Puerto Rico confirmed Wednesday it will be selling the new iPhone 5 model as soon as it becomes available.
While AT&T de Puerto Rico and Sprint will offer it starting Sept. 21, Claro de Puerto Rico will follow suit on Sept. 28.
In separate statements, AT&T and Sprint confirmed customers will be able to pre-order iPhone 5 starting Sept. 14 via its website.
“We’re thrilled to offer iPhone 5 on the nation’s largest 4G network. We’ve worked with Apple since the original in 2007 and this is hands-down their best phone yet,” said Ralph de la Vega, president of AT&T Mobility.
“We offer customers the flexibility to keep the iPhone data plans they already have or choose any of our individual or new Mobile Share plans,” he said. “We’re proud that more customers choose AT&T for iPhone than any other U.S. carrier and look forward to making iPhone 5 the newest addition to our lineup.”
Meanwhile, Sprint said iPhone 5 requires activation on one of its Everything Data plans.
“iPhone 5 is packed with amazing new features and we are proud to offer Truly Unlimited data to iPhone customers so they can enjoy everything iPhone 5 has to offer on our 4G LTE network,” said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. “Whether it’s finding a nearby restaurant with Siri, using Passbook to get organized or surfing the web, Sprint’s truly unlimited data plans provide incredible value for iPhone customers, meaning customers can make the most of iOS 6 without worrying about costly overages on their monthly bill.”
Apple unveils device in California
Saying iPhone 5 is “the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone,” Cupertino-based Apple unveiled the latest version of its blockbuster handset Wednesday.
The redesigned handset features a new 4-inch Retina display, an Apple-designed A6 chip for fast performance, next-generation wireless technology, and improved battery life. iPhone 5 comes with the iOS 6 operating system and more than 200 new features including the new “Maps” app — which substitutes Google Maps —Facebook integration, and more Siri features and languages.
iPhone 5 also integrates an improved 8-megapixel iSight camera that among other things, allows taking panoramic photos.
The device is 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than its predecessor, iPhone 4S, and comes in two color combinations: black and slate and white and silver.
As for price, Apple said iPhone 5 will sell in the U.S. market for a suggested retail price of $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB model. While AT&T de Puerto Rico confirmed it will charge those prices for the handset, Claro did not provide details about how much the device will go for.
Claro de Puerto Rico’s availability date coincides with Apple’s roll-out in 22 countries outside the U.S. on Sept. 28.
The new iPod touch integrates many of iPhone 5’s features.
Redesigned iPod Touch, Nano
During the unveiling in San Francisco, Apple also introduced the new lineup of its iPod touch — which integrates many of iPhone 5’s features — and iPod nano music players.
“With [more than] 350 million sold, iPod is the world’s most popular and beloved music player,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing. “Music lovers may have a difficult time deciding between the reinvented iPod nano, the thinnest iPod ever, and the all-new iPod touch with its stunning 4-inch Retina display, 5 megapixel iSight camera and ultra-thin design—both in beautiful new colors.”
Finally, the technology giant said it will launch the new iTunes music player for Mac and PC next month, giving it a completely new look and seamless integration with iCloud. It will feature a simpler and cleaner interface that keeps iTunes content at the forefront, while the App Store and iBookstore services have been rethought to make buying content easier.
