Sep. 12, 2012 at 12:50 PM ET
Apple hasannounced a brand new iPhone – the iPhone 5 – one that comes with a largerscreen and faster chip, improvements the tech giant promises will be a boon togamers.
With theiPhone 5, Apple has gone from a 3.5 inch display to a 4-inch display, one thatboasts a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1136 by 640 screen resolution. It also comes with a screen that offers integrated touch and richer color saturation.
Meanwhile, Apple's PhilSchiller unveiled the Apple A6 chip which he said will offer two times faster processing as well as graphics that are twice the speed of the iPhone 4S.
What does thismean for gamers? Rob Murray, executive producer at EA Studios took to the stageand said the improvements mean you'll see "full console quality"graphics on the iPhone 5's new, larger screen.
He showed off the forthcoming "Real Racing 3," which offered a gleaming look at the future of mobileracing games, complete with vibrant, realistic graphics and, thanks to Apple's Game Center, a new Time Shifted Multiplayer mode.
Time Shifted Multiplayer gives players the ability to race against a friend asynchronously -- that means you'll see how your friend raced their car earlier and then, when it's your turn, you'll be able to follow them, trying to best their time. You can even try to bump into them and affect their race time.
You can watch Murray's "Real Racing 3" demonstration right here:
Games have been an incredibly important part of the iPhone and the iPad's success, making up a large portion of the App Store's 700,000 apps. Meanwhile, game apps usually take up prime real estate atop the App Store's best-sellers lists.
But veteran gamers often criticize the iPhone games -- and mobile game in general -- of falling far short of those you play on dedicated gaming machines (the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Vita etc.)
With the iPhone 5, Apple is clearly trying to tell gamers that it does take gaming seriously. Not only will the larger screen size afford more room for your games to stretch out (though it doesn't hold a candle to the PlayStation Vita's 5-inch screen), but "to marrymobile with console graphics, it's never been done before,"Schiller said.
Certainly, the more powerful chip in the iPhone 5 also suggests that developers will be able to offer deeper, more involved games -- something seasoned players have been clamoring for.
Another boon to smartphone gamers: the iPhone 5's improved battery life. Apple said it offers 225 hours of standby time, 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, and 8 hours of talk. Depending on the game you play, battery life will vary. But, without a doubt, more is better.
Winda Benedetti writes about video games for NBC News. You can follow her tweets about games and other things on Twitter here @WindaBenedetti, and you can follow her on Google+. Meanwhile, be sure to check out the IN-GAME FACEBOOK PAGE to discuss the day's gaming news and reviews.
