Touted as one of the most ambitious product launches in the history of Apple, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have finally been released. Both of the models are larger, feature curved edges, new Retina displays, and will be packed with health features with the iOS 8 update. Additionally its camera, a design that has consistently surpassed other smartphone companies, is promised “to take even prettier photos faster than before”.

The sizes, screens, and prices are as follows. The iPhone 6 is now a 4.7-inch, 1334 x 750 display (over 1 million pixels). The model runs for $200, $300, and $400 for 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB respectively. That is an increase from only 4 inches on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 6 Plus measures a whopping 5.5 inches, with a 1920 x 1080 display (over 2 million pixels). This premium version runs for $300, $400, and $500 for 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB respectively.

Apple's new Retina display, Retina HD, sports ion-strengthened glass on the top and the bottom. Both smartphones are made with “smooth brushed anodized aluminum that curves softly into its glass from the front face rather than being completely flat on the back with largely squared-off edges” (TheVerge). This new design is being compared to a miniature iPad, steering away from the familiar look of the past four iPhones.

The camera: Everything about the camera has been updated on the iPhone 6 line, from hardware to software. Both models feature an 8-megapixel camera with a f/2.2 aperture. According to Apple, a new upgraded sensor, “the next generation iSight sensor”, has “focus pixels” that bring DSLR-like phase detection auto-focus to the iPhone. Additionally, new “on-sensor pixels” work to determine focus distance, the annoying game of waiting for your camera lens to lock onto an object before its ready to shoot. Overall, focus performance is said to be twice as fast as the iPhone 5s. Other camera features include optical image stabilization for low light, better-exposed images, blink and smile detection, as well as 1080 video at 60fps, and slow motion video at 240fps.

Other evolutions: Both models are packed with Apple's new A8 processor, which is said to perform 25% faster than the iPhone 5S. Its M8 co-processor works to benefit all the new health and fitness performance apps linked with Mayo Clinic, such as telling the difference between walking and biking. Battery life has increased since the last iPhone generation, as the larger displays allow for larger batteries (11 hours and 14 hours of video watching on the 6 and 6 Plus, respectively).

Health Features: After two years of designing Apple's new health app and HealthKit, Mayo Clinic is “proud to be at the forefront of this innovative technology”, hoping it will “revolutionize how the health industry interacts with people”, says Mayo Clinic CEO John Noseworthy. We will be seeing a lot more than just calorie counters and running apps with the upcoming iOS 8 update. In fact, we can expect apps for detecting abnormal health results, portals for setting up appointments, as well as emergency cards with health information. Of course, you can also always find your app for calculating heart rate, calories, etc. in the HealthKit.

Apple insists the new smartphones will be well worth the wait. It will be interesting to see whether the new camera features will make a big difference to photographers, and whether this bigger design will block larger-screened rivals, like Samsung, from gaining a lead in the race.