Tech giant Apple unveiled its long-awaited iPhone 5 on Wednesday night, launching its fifth version of the popular smartphone and its fastest, biggest, lightest creation yet.

With a four-inch 1136x640 pixel screen, the iPhone 5 is 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the previous iPhone 4S. The display is smaller than both Samsung's flagship Galaxy S-III (4.8") and Nokia's flagship Lumia 920 (4.5") screens, and the phone itself is smaller, thinner and lighter than both.

The pixel density at around 326 pixels per inch is higher than the S-III's 306 but less than the Lumia's 332. Resolution, at 1136 by 640 pixels, lags both the S-III's 1280 x 720 and the Lumia's 1280 x 768.

Unlike the Samsung offering, it does not offer microSD storage expansion, and unlike the other two it does not have a near field communications facility, a technology which enables phone-owners to beam payments to pay for goods. The new iPhone also lacks wireless charging, which the Nokia flagship phone sports.

By the end of the year, the device will be available in 100 countries through 240 carriers, according to analysts. The iPhone 5 is currently scheduled for release in the UK on September 21st with pre-orders available on the 14th.

Apple spiked 1.39% after yesterday's presentation to close at $669.79 and rose another 0.21% in the after hours market.

JM

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