Ladies and gents, the newest version of Apple’s wonder handset has arrived. However, it’s not the one that we expected, or at least wanted it to be. Yes, Apple CEO Tim Cook has just unveiled the all-new iPhone 4S. How about the iPhone 5? Sorry to burst you bubble. No, it was not part of the launching.

Before you go ranting on the absence of the iPhone 5, let’s get to know the iPhone 4S first. From the outside, it looks like the twin brother of the current iPhone 4. On the inside though, it’s a whole new different thing. The iPhone 4S has been sprinkled with new upgrades that will make you think it warrants a new look as well. First off, there’s the new A5 dual-core chip that’s coupled with a dual-core GPU that reportedly boosts graphics performance by up to seven times. It will also sport the new iOS 5 that will throw new goodies and upgrades, 200 of them, into the mix. 

The imaging department also got an overhaul as the iPhone 4S now sports an 8-megapixel camera. About time you could say. It also packs a backside illuminated CMOS sensor which gives better images in low-light situations. 1080p HD video recording is also accounted for, as well as image stabilization and facial recognition. The new camera is also faster and is able to take shots in quick succession, needing only 0.5 seconds in-between clicks.

For travel junkies, you will like the fact that the iPhone 4s is also deemed as a world phone since its antennas got a revamp and is connected to a dual-mode GSM and CDMA radio. Another ingenious is the new Siri virtual assistant that you can “talk to”. It makes your handset do certain chores like web searches and typing messages. In case you’re wondering, it does have Retina Display. The downside is that the touch screen comes in at the same 3.5-inch size which should be a bit of a disappointment for many Apple fans.

As for the pricing, the iPhone 4S will be available on contract in the USA for $199 for the 16GB version, $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB variant. You read that right. There’s indeed a 64GB variant, a first for the iPhone. Apple says the iPhone 4S will be up for pre-order on October 7th and should roll-out on October 14th in the USA. Seventy countries will be getting their fill of the device before the year ends.

As for the iPhone 5, well, we’re still waiting. A launch within the year is next to impossible so it is likely that Apple has another thing in store for us in 2012.