Updated: Iphone 5 to cost from £529 in UK

THE IPHONE 5 will be available in the UK from 21 September with preorders starting in just two days, Apple has announced, while networks have been quick to snap up the firm's new smartphone.

Announced merely moments ago, the Iphone 5 is everything we were expecting. The device sports a 4in Retina display, Apple's IOS 6 mobile operating system (OS), an A6 processor, an 8MP Isight camera, support for 4G LTE and longer battery life.

Preorders for the Iphone 5 will start on Friday 14 September, with shipping set to begin on 21 September. According to the Apple Store website, UK pricing will start from a hefty £529.

The Iphone 5 will also be available through EE, and will be compatible with the network's 4G LTE network. The network told The INQUIRER, "EE will launch an exclusive 4G LTE version of the new Iphone when the EE customer brand launches in the coming weeks, giving customers five times faster network speeds than on 3G."

However, the operator was also keen to point out that the Iphone 5 will also be available through Orange and T-Mobile, for those not too concerned about 4G connectivity.

Clearly not put off by EE's 4G LTE advantage, Vodafone told us that it also plans to sell the next generation Apple Iphone 5. In a statement the network said, "We welcome the arrival of the Iphone 5 and Vodafone UK plans to offer the new device to our customers. Availability of the device will be announced in due course."

Three took to Twitter to boast that it will also be selling the new Apple Iphone 5, saying, "Have you heard? Iphone 5 is nearly here! You can pre-order yours on Three from Friday," although there's not yet any word on the operator's pricing.

Update
O2 has also used the medium of Twitter to tell us it will be offering the new smartphone, giving the Iphone 5 a clean sweep of the UK networks. It said, "Like the look of the new Iphone 5? So do we - that's why it's coming to O2. More details to come over the next few days." µ