Apple has unveiled a redesign of its popular iPhone handset.

The revamped gadget has a stainless steel case, two cameras, improved display and is 24% thinner than the most recent version.

Apple boss Steve Jobs said the redesign was the “biggest leap” it had taken since the launch of the first iPhone.

But analysts said the phone’s popularity could be dented by Apple’s strict control over what owners can do with their gadget.

The gadget was revealed during the keynote speech at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.

The device will go on sale on 24 June. The US price for the 32GB model is $299 (£206) and $199 (£137) for the 16GB model. Apple said prices might be affected by contract conditions.

Market shares

Some of the impact of the announcement was lessened because technology blog Gizmodo had published details of a prototype of the phone after one was left in a bar by an Apple employee.

The new handset has two cameras and allows users to video-chat

Acknowledging the leak, Mr Jobs said: “Some of you have already seen this.”

The new handset includes many features that critics had said were lacking from previous versions.

It now includes two cameras – one on the front and one on the back – and allows people to video-chat, although only when it is connected to wi-fi. It also supports high-definition video.

Other extras added to the phone include a gyroscope which, when coupled with the existing accelerometer and compass, gives it six-axis motion sensing. This allows people to control games and apps by waving the handset.

“These phones are getting more and more intelligent about the world around them,” said Mr Jobs.

Continue reading the main story