Hands-on with Apple's high-end iPhone 5S (pictures)

Apple debuted the iPhone 5S today during a press conference held in Cupertino, Calif. In addition to more camera features and an updated processor, the handset can come encased in a new gold-colored construction that's sure to please Apple fans.

The iPhone 5S has the same three capacity models as before: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. However, Apple introduced a new gold color, which confirms long-held rumors that preceded the event.

Another new feature is the Touch ID security function. Located on the home button, it's a capacity sensor that scans your fingerprint using a laser-cut sapphire crystal and a stainless steel detection ring.

Although the new iPhone still sports an 8-megapixel camera, the camera does come with a handful of new improvements such as an f/2.2 aperture, burst mode shooting, and image stabilization. True Tone, which adjusts the camera flash according to lighting environments, has also been included.

The camera can now record in slow motion (at a rate of 120fps), has a 1.5-micron pixels on sensor, and features Dynamic tone mapping, which automatically analyzes photos and carries out local adjustments. Click here for more photos taken with the iPhone 5S.

In addition to featuring a proprietary 64-bit A7 processor (which Apple claims to be 2x faster than the previous iteration), the 5S also sports an M7 motion co-processor that will help ring in a new crop of health and fitness apps.

Meanwhile, the front-facing camera has remained largely the same. It's a 1.2-megapixel camera capable of shooting photos with a 1,280x960-pixel resolution, and it can record 720p HD video.

Physically, the 5S does not look much different from the now discontinued iPhone 5. Ports like the lightning connector and 3.5mm headphone jack are still located on the bottom edge, as well as the dual speakers.

Measuring 4.87 inches tall, 2.31 inches wide, and 0.30 inch thick, the iPhone 5S keeps the same measurements as its last iteration. It also weighs the same at 3.95 ounces.

Another look at the device's profile reveals the same identical design as the previous iPhone.

Apple also boasts that the phone will have an improved battery life. Reported stats include 10 days of standby time, 10 hours of talk time on 3G, 10 hours of Web browsing on 4G LTE or Wi-Fi, or 10 hours of continuous video playback.

The iPhone 5S will be available starting September 20. The 16GB model will be $199 on-contract, and the 32GB and 64GB models will be $299 and $399, respectively.

In the US, the iPhone 5S will be sold on all four major carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

In addition to launching in the US, the phone will launch in China, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. For more about today's Apple news, click on the links below.