But here is the bad news... the iPhone 5 includes new dock connector which makes thousands of Apple accessories obsolete (unless you buy £18 adapter)
- Apple is ditching the docking port connector it's used for iPods, iPhones and iPads for nearly a decade in favor of a smaller, narrower one
- Newer, slimline port means thousands of current Apple accessories will need an adapter to work with the 'iPhone 5' - or become unusable
Despite the excitement surrounding the new iPhone5, many users will be left frustrated as it includes a controversial new 'docking connector' which will render thousands of Apple accessories obsolete.
With the new model, Apple is ditching the docking port connector it's used for iPods, iPhones and iPads for nearly a decade in favor of a smaller, narrower one.
The newer, slimline port means that thousands of current Apple accessories will need a potentially clunky adapter to work with the 'iPhone 5' - or become unusable.
According to the website Gizmodo, the new 'Lightning to 30-pin' adapter will cost about £18 while a 0.2m cable version of the adapter will cost £24.
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Controversial: Despite the excitement surrounding the new iPhone5, many users will be left frustrated as it includes a controversial new 'docking connector' which will render thousands of Apple accessories obsolete
The new 'Lightning' dock: While providing somewhat of a disconnect for previous users, the new port is faster and can be plugged in either way up
Bye bye 4S, hello 5: Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, shows off the iPhone 5 for the first time
Speaking at today's launch, Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said: '
‘The iPhone from its start used the 30 pin connector, and it has served us well. A lot has changed and it is time for the connector to evolve - and our new connector is called Lightning.’
Many fans were left angry last month when images allegedly showing the iPhone 5's new design leaked out, showing the traditional 30-pin dock connector - used for charging, syncing files and pumping audio to hi-fis - had been re-designed into a smaller shape.
Change: This picture is believed to show a prototype case for the new iPhone, with its new connector design which is set to make every existing accessory completely obsolete
Old and new: The current iPhone is shown with the prototype of the iPhone 5's outer casing
The new port looks similar to micro USB, the standard supported by all other phone manufacturers - however it is very unlikely that Apple will support this standard, despite moves by the EU to get all phone companies to rally around one type of cable.
Apple's version has a triangle-shaped wedge at one end, which should stop users plugging in the cable the wrong way round.
Mac fans may spot a superficial similarity to a Firewire port, which is used to transfer raw video footage and larger files at high speed.
Popular: But iPhone users could found themselves seriously out of pocket if they want to upgrade their device
Useless: The $850 Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 is designed to work with the current iPhone's design
The 'nano-SIM' slot, containing the SIM card which connects a phone to the carrier network, has also been redesigned to be thinner, although this will be unlikely to cause much disruption to users as networks will provide replacements SIMs if necessary.
There are also rumours, reported on iMore, that the iPad 3, which was released in the Spring, will get a slight tweak this Autumn to brink the dock connector in-line with the rest of the range.
Obsolete: The B&W Zeppelin speaker, left, and the Bose Sounddock 10, right, are other pricey gadgets which will have to be upgraded before they will work with the iPhone 5
VIDEO: Apple demos iPhone 5
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