Evolution Archive
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Archive chapter

2015

What changed across Apple in 2015: ecosystem turning points, hardware launches, software releases and the support boundaries that moved with them.

Software history

Operating systems moved too.

Verified public releases in 2015, including major-version milestones, maintenance updates and products that lost major-version support.

Major releases
5
Point updates
23
Products dropped
1

watchOS

watchOS 1

2 public releases in this major line · 1 point updates

  • Glanceable notifications and communication

    The original Apple Watch software centered on timely notifications, messages, and lightweight interactions on the wrist.

  • Siri and Apple Pay

    Siri voice interaction and Apple Pay extended established iPhone services to the watch.

  • Activity and fitness tracking

    Activity and Workout experiences made daily movement, exercise, and fitness tracking a core part of the platform.

  • Watch faces and personalization

    Customizable watch faces established the watch-face-first interaction model.

Open OS record → Apple feature source ↗

iPhone OS / iOS

iOS 9

13 public releases in this major line · 12 point updates

  • Intelligence

    Proactive assistance

  • Spotlight search improvements

    Get sports scores, weather conditions and stock prices

  • New iPad Features

    Slide Over

  • QuickType improvements

    Multi-Touch gestures for easier text selection on iPad

  • Built-in Apps

    Map improvements

  • Foundation

    Longer battery life

  • Other improvements

    New San Francisco system font

  • Expanded language support

    New PingFang Chinese system font

  • Enterprise & Education

    Assign apps directly to iOS devices without needing to have an iTunes Store account configured

  • Accessibility

    Touch Accommodations provides additional touch control for those with physical motor limitations

Open OS record → Apple feature source ↗

watchOS

watchOS 2

6 public releases in this major line · 5 point updates

  • Native third-party apps

    Apps could run natively on Apple Watch for faster, more capable experiences.

  • Third-party complications

    Third-party app information could appear directly on supported watch faces as complications.

  • New watch faces and Time Travel

    New watch faces arrived alongside Time Travel for reviewing past and upcoming information.

  • Expanded communication

    Mail replies and richer Digital Touch interactions expanded communication from the wrist.

Open OS record → Apple feature source ↗

Mac OS X / OS X / macOS

OS X El Capitan

7 public releases in this major line · 6 point updates

  • Split View and refined window management

    El Capitan made it easier to arrange windows and introduced Split View for working with two apps side by side in full screen.

  • Smarter Spotlight

    Spotlight became more flexible about natural-language queries and could surface information such as weather, stocks, sports and web video.

  • Built-in app improvements

    Mail, Notes, Photos, Safari and Maps received focused workflow improvements rather than a broad visual redesign.

  • Metal on the Mac

    Apple brought Metal to OS X to improve system graphics efficiency and give games and professional apps lower-overhead access to the GPU.

  • System performance refinements

    El Capitan focused heavily on responsiveness, including faster app launching and switching alongside graphics-performance improvements.

Open OS record → Apple feature source ↗

Apple TV Software / tvOS

tvOS 9

7 public releases in this major line · 6 point updates

  • tvOS and App Store

    The new tvOS platform brought a dedicated App Store and an SDK for television apps and games.

  • Siri search

    Siri enabled voice navigation and search across multiple content providers.

  • Siri Remote

    A touch surface, voice input, and motion capabilities created a new interaction model for Apple TV.

Major-version support ended

Open OS record → Apple feature source ↗

Public release history

Updates shipped during the year.

23 public point updates are recorded for this year. Expand a platform to inspect the version-by-version release dates.

iPhone OS / iOS9 updatesLatest this year: 9.2
  1. 8.1.3
  2. 8.2
  3. 8.3
  4. 8.4
  5. 8.4.1
  6. 9.0.1
  7. 9.0.2
  8. 9.1
  9. 9.2
Mac OS X / OS X / macOS6 updatesLatest this year: 10.11.2
  1. 10.10.2
  2. 10.10.3
  3. 10.10.4
  4. 10.10.5
  5. 10.11.1
  6. 10.11.2
watchOS3 updatesLatest this year: 2.1
  1. 1.0.1
  2. 2.0.1
  3. 2.1
Apple TV Software / tvOS5 updatesLatest this year: 9.1
  1. 7.0.3
  2. 7.1
  3. 7.2
  4. 9.0.1
  5. 9.1

Hardware releases

Products announced this year.

Filters below affect the hardware list only. Product relationships and generation deltas still come from the canonical lineage catalog.

7 catalogued products

  1. Mac · MacBook

    MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

    The early-2015 12-inch MacBook was a fanless notebook line that concentrated Retina, Force Touch, and USB-C into a two-pound design.

    • Introduced12-inch Retina display and Force Touch trackpad

      12-inch Retina display and Force Touch trackpad.

    • IntroducedUSB-C port for charging, data transfer, and video output

      USB-C port for charging, data transfer, and video output.

    • IntroducedFanless design and terraced battery architecture

      Fanless design and terraced battery architecture.

    • IntroducedGold, silver, and space gray aluminum finishes

      Gold, silver, and space gray aluminum finishes.

    Open product

  2. iPod · touch

    iPod touch (6th generation)

    A8 and M8 modernize iPod touch performance and the camera system while keeping the fifth-generation 4-inch form.

    • IntroducedA8 chip and M8 motion coprocessor

      A8 chip and M8 motion coprocessor.

    • Introduced8MP iSight rear camera

      8MP iSight rear camera.

    • ChangedGraphics and CPU capability increase substantially while the enclosure remains familiar

      Graphics and CPU capability increase substantially while the enclosure remains familiar.

    Open productCompare with predecessor

  3. Apple TV · HD

    Apple TV HD

    Transformed the living room into a software platform by introducing tvOS with the native App Store, the glass-touch Siri Remote, and 64-bit Apple A8 silicon with 32GB/64GB local storage.

    • IntroducedtvOS operating system featuring the App Store, native third-party apps, Metal graphics…

      tvOS operating system featuring the App Store, native third-party apps, Metal graphics framework, and MFi game controller support.

    • IntroducedSiri Remote (1st generation) with glass touch surface, dual microphones for natural lan…

      Siri Remote (1st generation) with glass touch surface, dual microphones for natural language search, motion sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope), and Lightning charging.

    • Introduced64-bit Apple A8 system-on-a-chip

      64-bit Apple A8 system-on-a-chip.

    • IntroducedDedicated local NAND flash storage

      32 GB and 64 GB tiers for apps, games, and cached video assets.

    • IntroducedTaller enclosure (35 mm vs 23 mm) designed around a large passive aluminum heat dissipa…

      Taller enclosure (35 mm vs 23 mm) designed around a large passive aluminum heat dissipation plate.

    • IntroducedUSB-C diagnostic and developer tethering port, replacing Micro-USB

      USB-C diagnostic and developer tethering port, replacing Micro-USB.

    • IntroducedDual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO support

      Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO support.

    • IntroducedHDMI-CEC integration enabling automatic television power synchronization and volume con…

      HDMI-CEC integration enabling automatic television power synchronization and volume control.

    • ChangedSystem memory expanded fourfold from 512 MB to 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM

      System memory expanded fourfold from 512 MB to 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM.

    • ChangedRemote control protocol shifted from direct infrared line-of-sight to Bluetooth 4.0 wir…

      Remote control protocol shifted from direct infrared line-of-sight to Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connection.

    • ChangedHeight grew from 23 mm to 35 mm

      Height grew from 23 mm to 35 mm; weight increased from 270 g to 425 g.

    • ChangedLaunch pricing shifted upward from $99 to $149 (32 GB) and $199 (64 GB) reflecting its…

      Launch pricing shifted upward from $99 to $149 (32 GB) and $199 (64 GB) reflecting its status as an app platform.

    • RetiredOptical digital audio (TOSLINK) port

      Optical digital audio (TOSLINK) port; all multichannel audio output consolidated over HDMI.

    • RetiredFixed server-pushed channel menu paradigm

      Fixed server-pushed channel menu paradigm.

    • RetiredMicro-USB service port

      Micro-USB service port.

    • Retained10/100BASE-T Ethernet port, HDMI video output (HDMI 1.4), internal universal power supp…

      10/100BASE-T Ethernet port, HDMI video output (HDMI 1.4), internal universal power supply, and infrared receiver.

    Open productCompare with predecessor

  4. iPad · mini

    iPad mini 4

    Transplants the industrial design and display packaging of iPad Air 2 into a 6.1mm chassis, featuring a fully laminated anti-reflective Retina display, A8 silicon, and 2GB RAM.

    Retina display
    • IntroducedFully laminated 7.9-inch Retina display

      Fuses the cover glass, touch sensor, and LCD panel with an anti-reflective coating, eliminating the internal air gap for the first time on the mini form factor and cutting reflections significantly.

    • IntroducedFull sRGB color gamut

      Expanded color gamut to 100% sRGB coverage, resolving the undersaturated color reproduction that characterized iPad mini 1, 2, and 3.

    • Introduced2GB of LPDDR3 RAM

      Doubled RAM compared to iPad mini 2 and 3, unlocking full support for iOS 9 Split View side-by-side multitasking (prior minis were limited to Slide Over).

    • IntroducedApple A8 chip

      Second-generation 64-bit desktop-class architecture delivering a 30% faster CPU and 60% faster GPU compared to the A7 in mini 2/3.

    • IntroducedApple M8 motion coprocessor

      Includes an integrated barometer alongside the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass.

    • Introduced8MP iSight rear camera

      Upgraded from 5MP with an f/2.4 aperture, 1080p Full HD video recording, 120fps Slo-mo, burst mode, and time-lapse video.

    • Introduced802.11ac Wi-Fi

      Dual-band Wi-Fi with HT80 and MIMO delivering wireless speeds up to 866 Mbps.

    • IntroducedBluetooth 4.2

      Upgraded from Bluetooth 4.0.

    • ChangedChassis dimensions and weight

      Thickness reduced from 7.5mm to 6.1mm (matching iPad Air 2); height increased slightly from 200mm to 203.2mm; weight dropped from 331g / 341g to 298.8g (Wi-Fi) / 304g (Cellular).

    • RetiredHardware rotation lock / mute switch

      Omitted from the chassis side to accommodate the 6.1mm thin profile, matching the design decision of iPad Air 2.

    • Retained7.9-inch Retina display resolution (2048 x 1536 at 326 ppi)

      7.9-inch Retina display resolution (2048 x 1536 at 326 ppi).

    • RetainedTouch ID fingerprint sensor in the Home button

      Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the Home button.

    • RetainedLightning connector and 3.5mm stereo headphone jack

      Lightning connector and 3.5mm stereo headphone jack.

    • Retained10-hour battery life rating via a 19.1-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

      10-hour battery life rating via a 19.1-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery.

    Open productCompare with predecessor

  5. iPad · Pro

    iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (1st generation)

    The inaugural iPad Pro introduces an expansive 12.9-inch 5.6-million-pixel Retina display, Apple Pencil active stylus support, the magnetic Smart Connector, and four-speaker spatial audio driven by the desktop-class A9X chip.

    LightningRetina displayTouch ID
    • IntroducediPad Pro product tier

      A new premium product line tailored for creative professionals, engineers, designers, and enterprise users.

    • Introduced12.9-inch Retina display

      Apple's largest iOS display at launch, featuring 2732-by-2048 resolution at 264 ppi (5.6 million pixels, 78% more screen area than a 9.7-inch iPad), oxide TFT substrate, photo alignment technology, and a custom timing controller (TCON).

    • IntroducedVariable display refresh rate

      The custom timing controller dynamically slows the display refresh rate from 60Hz to 30Hz when viewing static content, conserving battery life.

    • IntroducedApple Pencil (1st generation) active stylus support

      Sub-pixel precision stylus with pressure sensitivity and tilt angle detection, supported by display sensors that scan the touch surface at 240Hz (double the standard touch rate) for near-instant responsiveness.

    • IntroducedSmart Connector

      Three-pin flush magnetic interface on the chassis edge that provides a bidirectional communication and power link to accessories like the Smart Keyboard, eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing, cables, or internal accessory batteries.

    • IntroducedFour-speaker audio system

      Four speakers built directly into the unibody aluminum enclosures with rear resonating chambers delivering 3x the acoustic output of iPad Air 2; automatically adjusts the orientation of high frequencies to the top two speakers regardless of how the device is held.

    • IntroducedApple A9X chip

      Third-generation 64-bit architecture featuring custom dual-core Twister CPU, 12-core PowerVR Series 7 GPU, and an embedded M9 motion coprocessor, paired with 4GB of LPDDR4 memory and a 128-bit memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

    • IntroducedUSB 3.0 controller over Lightning

      The Lightning interface supports USB 3.0 transfer speeds (up to 5 Gbps) using adapters such as the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.

    • RetainedTouch ID capacitive fingerprint sensor in the Home button

      Touch ID capacitive fingerprint sensor in the Home button.

    • Retained8MP iSight rear camera with f/2.4 aperture and 1.2MP FaceTime HD front camera

      8MP iSight rear camera with f/2.4 aperture and 1.2MP FaceTime HD front camera.

    • Retained3.5mm stereo headphone jack

      3.5mm stereo headphone jack.

    • Retained10-hour battery life rating backed by a massive 38.5-watt-hour battery in a 6.9mm chassis

      10-hour battery life rating backed by a massive 38.5-watt-hour battery in a 6.9mm chassis.

    Open product

  6. iPhone · Standard

    iPhone 6s

    3D Touch and a strengthened enclosure refine the iPhone 6 design.

    3D Touch
    • Introduced3D Touch

      Pressure-sensitive input added Peek, Pop, and pressure-aware shortcuts.

    • Changed7000 series aluminum

      The enclosure material was strengthened while preserving the same overall design language.

    Open productCompare with predecessor

  7. iPhone · Plus

    iPhone 6s Plus

    The Plus line gains the 6s generation’s pressure-sensitive input and A9 platform.

    3D Touch
    • Introduced3D Touch

      The larger Plus branch gained the same pressure-sensitive interaction model as iPhone 6s.

    Open productCompare with predecessor