iOS 15 Speculation Thread

[BlankStar]

iOS 15 Beta Schedule​

Note: Apple has changed the way it names public betas so the release now matches the developer beta it is associated with. Public Beta 2 is in fact the "first" public beta released

• Developer Beta 1
  
  • June 7, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 14 days
• Developer Beta 2
  • June 21, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 9 days
• Developer Beta 2 (update)
  • June 30, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 14 days
• Public Beta 2
  • June 30, 2021, 1 p.m. PT
  • 16 days
• Developer Beta 3
  • July 14, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 13 Days
• Public Beta 3
  
  • July 16, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 12 days
• Developer Beta 4
  • July 27, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 14 Days
• Public Beta 4
  
  • July 28, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 14 Days
• Developer Beta 5
  
  • August 10, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 7 Days
• Public Beta 5
  
  • August 11, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 7 Days
• Developer Beta 6
  
  • August 17, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 8 Days
• Public Beta 6
  
  • August 18, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 7 Days
• Developer Beta 7
  
  • August 25, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
  • 6 Days
• Public Beta 7
  
  • August 25, 2021, 1 p.m. PT
  • 6 Days
• Developer Beta 8
  
  • August 31, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
• Public Beta 8
  
  • August 31, 2021, 1 p.m. PT
• iOS15 RC
  
  • September 14, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
• iOS 15 Public Release
  
  • September 20, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
• Developer Beta 15.1
  
  • September 21, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
• iOS 15.1 Public Release
  
  • October 25, 2021, 10 a.m. PT
• Developer Beta 15.2
  • October 27, 2021, 10 a.m. PT

So, we're 9 months after our first view/hands-on iOS 14 Dev beta 1. In recent history most WWDC's were in the first half of June, so that means we're less than three months from our first look on iOS 15. We know all the features of iOS 14.5 which probably is the last .X update for iOS14 so the time for speculation is here.

Let's discuss everything you hope and/or expect to see in iOS 15?

I'll start;

- iPhone 6s get dropped
- More U1-related stuff
- Widgets will get new features, maybe even become simple, small apps.
- HomeKit love: more categories
- More service features, ie Fitness, News, etc
- More app library options/features
- More notification options (I sure hope that)
- Siri-features, especially for multiple devices. (Siri responding on the wrong device)
- Shortcuts: more triggers/actions

So, what do you guys think?

Edit: speculation ends Jun 7th: WWDC 21.

 

[gim]

- iPhone 6/6s get dropped

iPhone 6 already got dropped for iOS 13.

 

[Blue Hawk]

- iPhone 6s drop
- Interactive live widgets
- widgets everywhere on the iPad homescreen
- always on display features with Watch complication icons
- more users or guest user on iPad
- App Library for the iPad
- new and easier Notification Center
- more languages and features for the translate app
- new wallpapers
- bugfixes

 

[snow755]

Some how IOS 14.5 will not be the last. Update for iOS 14 I think we will see iOS 14.6 and iOS 14.7 may be iOS 14.8 has we won’t get IOS 15 tell late September so we. Will see a lot more betas for IOS 14 line up next off is IOS 14.6 after 14.5

 

[aesc80]

iPhone 6 already got dropped for iOS 13.

Wonder if Apple would be so bold to remove the 7 line as well? Doubt it personally, but would love to see Apple finally move away from the 7 and 8 line, so that the focus stays with "notch" form factors.

As for features:
- more emphasis on widgets, particularly changes in updating and background threads. Might include more "lightweight" updates at more frequent volumes or even added features like geo-fencing / geo-location inclusions
- More updates to Apple Maps to include additional features - perhaps blending "Where's My Friends" or AirTags support (I'll be honest, I'm not much of an Apple Maps kinda guy)
- Controversial: an extension of the COVID-19 tracker to include other means of tracking? Think Amber Alerts. I honestly doubt this would even be brought up for the sake of "security"
- Apple Health + Fitness updates. Perhaps even more targeted training like hitting heart rate, oxygen levels, and matched with particular fitness.
- Apple Fitness Live - scheduled classes with Watch metrics tied in.
- AppleTV + Apple Watch integration
- Apple Watch easy syncing: No longer need to tightly pair a device to everything

And the number 1 predictor for iOS/tvOS/watchOS 15 is ...
CODE BREAKING CHANGES TO SWIFT!!!

Bank on it!

 

[sorgo]

I’m just hoping for some visual refreshes that will bring iOS and iPadOS (and perhaps watchOS and tvOS) more in line with Big Sur on the Mac desktop.

 

[gim]

Wonder if Apple would be so bold to remove the 7 line as well? Doubt it personally, but would love to see Apple finally move away from the 7 and 8 line, so that the focus stays with "notch" form factors.

I don't think so. There are rumors that Apple will recycle the iPhone 7/8 design for another iPhone SE next year, with upgraded internals of course.

 

[Runs For Fun]

iPadOS widgets that can be placed anywhere.

 

[snow755]

Wonder if Apple would be so bold to remove the 7 line as well? Doubt it personally, but would love to see Apple finally move away from the 7 and 8 line, so that the focus stays with "notch" form factors.

As for features:
- more emphasis on widgets, particularly changes in updating and background threads. Might include more "lightweight" updates at more frequent volumes or even added features like geo-fencing / geo-location inclusions
- More updates to Apple Maps to include additional features - perhaps blending "Where's My Friends" or AirTags support (I'll be honest, I'm not much of an Apple Maps kinda guy)
- Controversial: an extension of the COVID-19 tracker to include other means of tracking? Think Amber Alerts. I honestly doubt this would even be brought up for the sake of "security"
- Apple Health + Fitness updates. Perhaps even more targeted training like hitting heart rate, oxygen levels, and matched with particular fitness.
- Apple Fitness Live - scheduled classes with Watch metrics tied in.
- AppleTV + Apple Watch integration
- Apple Watch easy syncing: No longer need to tightly pair a device to everything

And the number 1 predictor for iOS/tvOS/watchOS 15 is ...
CODE BREAKING CHANGES TO SWIFT!!!

Bank on it!

I think that would be with iOS 16 iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPad 2019 iPad Pro with A10X chip and Apple TV 5 gen with A10x


ios 17 would be iPhone 8 iphone 8 Plus

ios 18;would be any thing with a A12 chip


and so on

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Wonder if Apple would be so bold to remove the 7 line as well? Doubt it personally, but would love to see Apple finally move away from the 7 and 8 line, so that the focus stays with "notch" form factors.

You forgot about the new SE. While this certainly would be a bold move, I don’t think Apple would do it.

My wishlist for iOS 15 is,

• UI update
• Always on display for OLED iPhones
• More Control Center toggles
• The ability to change the buttons on the Lock Screen
• More live and dynamic wallpapers
• Widgets you can interact with
• Better support for custom icons / themes (I know this has a very slim chance of happening though)
• Split screen multitasking for plus / max sized phones
• More Portrait Lightning modes
• An updated settings app
• More useful weather app
• A “pro mode” for the camera app (manual controls)

 

[DblHelix]

Wonder if Apple would be so bold to remove the 7 line as well? Doubt it personally, but would love to see Apple finally move away from the 7 and 8 line, so that the focus stays with "notch" form factors.

As for features:
- more emphasis on widgets, particularly changes in updating and background threads. Might include more "lightweight" updates at more frequent volumes or even added features like geo-fencing / geo-location inclusions
- More updates to Apple Maps to include additional features - perhaps blending "Where's My Friends" or AirTags support (I'll be honest, I'm not much of an Apple Maps kinda guy)
- Controversial: an extension of the COVID-19 tracker to include other means of tracking? Think Amber Alerts. I honestly doubt this would even be brought up for the sake of "security"
- Apple Health + Fitness updates. Perhaps even more targeted training like hitting heart rate, oxygen levels, and matched with particular fitness.
- Apple Fitness Live - scheduled classes with Watch metrics tied in.
- AppleTV + Apple Watch integration
- Apple Watch easy syncing: No longer need to tightly pair a device to everything

And the number 1 predictor for iOS/tvOS/watchOS 15 is ...
CODE BREAKING CHANGES TO SWIFT!!!

Bank on it!

Not sure about your additional tracking extension. The current one doesn’t track a person just indicates you have been near someone who listed themselves as testing positive. How would knowing if you were near some amber alert suspect help if it is a day or two later you get a notice.

 

[Irishappleuser]

I think that would be with iOS 16 iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPad 2019 iPad Pro with A10X chip and Apple TV 5 gen with A10x


ios 17 would be iPhone 8 iphone 8 Plus

ios 18;would be any thing with a A12 chip


and so on

So my iPhone 11 is good for many more versions of iOS then. My iPad 7th generation(I should have held off a few more months for the 8th generation in hindsight) is hopefully good for a good few updates.

 

[Homme]

I think that would be with iOS 16 iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPad 2019 iPad Pro with A10X chip and Apple TV 5 gen with A10x


ios 17 would be iPhone 8 iphone 8 Plus

ios 18;would be any thing with a A12 chip


and so on

I think A10X and A11 devices would be the same when it comes to OS Support, A10X Multicore wise gives similar or if not slightly better performance as the A11 Bionic not to mention A10X devices have 4GB of RAM while A11 Bionic ones have 2GB/3GB RAM so maybe if RAM is a beneficiary A10X iPad Pro could be supported more than A11 Bionic

Kinda like A8X and A9 as well since multicore wise for both SoC’s are equal

I think A8/A8X and A9 lineups will be dropped from iOS 15, I’m not entirely sure if the 7th Gen iPod Touch will be supported for longer as well ( if not iOS 15 maybe in the future) due to its piss weak battery and it’s 1.64Ghz high performance dual core part of its A10 compared to the performance of the other A10’s and the A9X (which is better than the A10 of the 7th Gen Touch). Heck even A8X’s multicore score is almost on par with the iPod Touch’s A10 according to Geekbench 5.

but I’d like all devices even the older ones to have iOS 15/iPadOS 15 even if I believe otherwise

 

[Project Alice]

Wonder if Apple would be so bold to remove the 7 line as well? Doubt it personally, but would love to see Apple finally move away from the 7 and 8 line, so that the focus stays with "notch" form factors.

Absolutely not. First off they currently sell a phone that has the exact same casing, the iPhone SE with the internals of the 11. "Moving away" from the 7/8/SE line and dropping them from updates is probably the dumbest thing ever in my opinion. The Apple TV is also based on the 7's CPU. I think one of the iPad's is too. The A10 devices aren't going anywhere soon.
All of that aside, my SE (2nd gen) will be my last phone as long as I can possibly hold onto it for unless Apple adds touch ID back to the other devices.

As for features:
- more emphasis on widgets, particularly changes in updating and background threads. Might include more "lightweight" updates at more frequent volumes or even added features like geo-fencing / geo-location inclusions
- More updates to Apple Maps to include additional features - perhaps blending "Where's My Friends" or AirTags support (I'll be honest, I'm not much of an Apple Maps kinda guy)
- Controversial: an extension of the COVID-19 tracker to include other means of tracking? Think Amber Alerts. I honestly doubt this would even be brought up for the sake of "security"
- Apple Health + Fitness updates. Perhaps even more targeted training like hitting heart rate, oxygen levels, and matched with particular fitness.
- Apple Fitness Live - scheduled classes with Watch metrics tied in.
- AppleTV + Apple Watch integration
- Apple Watch easy syncing: No longer need to tightly pair a device to everything

And the number 1 predictor for iOS/tvOS/watchOS 15 is ...
CODE BREAKING CHANGES TO SWIFT!!!

Bank on it!

I'm fine with the rest of these features except the one I highlighted in bold. The covid crap on mine was turned off the second it was available. Adding onto it at this point is just..pointless IMHO.

I wouldn't mind those changes to Maps. I would definitely like some more improvements to widgets. There's a lot they can do with them. I'm glad to finally have them after all these years though.

I can't comment on the rest of those because I don't use them, and I don't own an Apple Watch; but none of them sound like bad ideas.

 

[one more]

- More updates to Apple Maps to include additional features - perhaps blending "Where's My Friends" or AirTags support (I'll be honest, I'm not much of an Apple Maps kinda guy)

I am an Apple Maps kinda guy 😊 and think that before adding any new features to Apple Maps, they first need to roll out/improve the existing ones on a wider scale (worldwide), as the new Maps iteration is still only available in a handful of countries.

Once this is done, they would also benefit from a web-based AM version and simplified ability to embed AM in the websites, etc.

 

[Devin Breeding]

few things I want but pretty happy where things are at.

Failed FaceID captures photo and sends to find my account.

Multi User support for iPad

Battery health info for iPad

 

[eddiezus]

Collaborative playlists and the ability for friends to add songs to play up next on Apple Music!

That scrapped wallpaper feature from that leaked iOS 14 build. (Especially with the ability of adding a custom light/dark mode wallpaper)

New lock screen/notifications/icons. (Always on Display clock face/notifications)

Honestly some type of visual refresh.

Redesigned Control Center.

Ability to send automatic “i’m busy” texts from the compact call notifications.

“Now Playing” widget with the ability to play/pause/skip songs from the widget.

Ability to add widgets anywhere on iPadOS.

Ability to use apps not yet formatted for iPadOS (Snapchat, Instagram etc) as Slide Over apps.

Redesigned Home/Health apps. (Make it more easier and welcoming to use)

“Car Mode” for people who don’t have CarPlay.

Some new text/ringtones.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Failed FaceID captures photo and sends to find my account.

Interesting, but I can see a lot of privacy concerns with this.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

iPad. Much better support for external USB/SSD disks and USB sticks.
iPad. Improve the Files app.
Complete freedom in choosing our own icons, at least for non-Apple apps

 

[bluecoast]

With the pandemic, I expect that many features in iOS 15 will be under the hood:

• I think this will be a ‘tock’ release so a general hardening and optimisation pass throughout the system. All those bugs and optimisation that various engineering groups are no doubt, keen to do
• Security: more things like the iMessage blastdoor
• UI refinement: I’d imagine the ‘adding widgets’ interface & App Library/springboard interface could be made simpler (try explaining App Library and how to use it, to your parents).
• Mail overhaul: an update of the ageing mail app rewritten in swiftUI and fully cross platform ie the Mac. Includes snoozing messages etc. This may however be a 16 item due to the pandemic. You really don’t want to mess up a new version of Mail.
• iPadOS: I’m expecting that iPadOS (and especially macOS) will get more goodies than iOS. I think we can expect the true ‘1.0’ release of catalyst/swiftUI and see apps like health, weather etc finally move to iPadOS (and macOS). Apple to devs: ‘see, it’s easy!’
• iPadOS multitasking: made easier to use.
• iPadOS multiuser: this one I’d chalk up as a ‘maybe’. In a difficult year, I think that apple likely wants app developers to focus on moving their iOS apps to the Mac & iPadOS. Perhaps we’ll get a guest mode (not unlike the one on macOS) as a move towards multi-user.

 

[TimFL1]

- Multi-user support for iPadOS
- XCode for iPadOS or support for basic IDEs
- RCS support for Messages
- iMessage group typing indicators
- Adopt design cues of macOS Big Sur (e.g. icons)
- Mail app overhaul
- Merge Find My functionality into Apple Maps
- Roll out that Maps review & photos system to get rid of the crapshot POI providers or Maps continues to be doa for me
- Health & Activity app on iPadOS (as a pure viewing app using iCloud data)
- Calculator app on iPadOS
- Weather app on iPadOS
- More default app options: Messages / Texting (including SMS APIs), Maps, Calendar, Camera. I don‘t think Music makes any sense as a default app option, there‘s no real deeplinking to play songs and your device remembers which app last played anyways...
- Love / Dislike options for the TV app (also 5 star ratings?) and the return of content reviews for TV/Movie. I want to tweak my Watch Now screen and not have suggestions based on watched movies I might not even like...
- Anything HomeKit related (performance & reliability)... maybe even a more in-depth profile system for Home users (e.g. allow guest profiles with limited & timed access, admin profiles and normal user profiles etc.)
- Anything Siri related that focuses on reliability. Don‘t add more domains if your base is rotten...
- I‘d love new Photos app social features. Maybe an easier way to share pictures with your family, like a „Family Feed“ you can post pictures to and have friends comment, like and optionally download pictures to their library. My parents love the shared albums but they seem to struggle with the concept behind it (e.g. set it up and share via Messages... meanwhile they have no issues posting something on Instagram)
- Smart caller photos based on the People album in Photos. Have caller Ids automatically pick a photo from the contacts Photo album entry if no photo is added to the contact
- FaceID/TouchID locking for apps on a system level
- FaceID/TouchID authentication for the hidden & deleted photos albums
- Allow widget resizing without removing and re-adding a widget
- Integrate TestFlight options directly into an apps App Store page (if public beta and desired by a developer)
- Finally roll out News app in more territories...
- Offer some Apple Card UI goodies for other Apple Pay cards in the wallet app, allow more in-depth integration for 3rd party cards in general
- Allow editing the 2 lock screen buttons (why is there a camera button and a swipe gesture for camera?)
- Lock screen complications (e.g. a small weather / temperature indicator)
- HomePod voice recognition for other languages

 

[Devin Breeding]

Interesting, but I can see a lot of privacy concerns with this.

Curious, why would it be a privacy issue if it is shared only within your own account? Allows you to see the face of your phone thief to provide to authorities or someone snooping who shouldn’t otherwise be.

 

[jonnyb098]

ZERO new features. Only support for new devices.

Apple software quality control has been garbage in recent years. They need to perfect as much as possible whats existing now. For every feature they introduce, one always gets gimped.

 

[ian87w]

ZERO new features. Only support for new devices.

Apple software quality control has been garbage in recent years. They need to perfect as much as possible whats existing now. For every feature they introduce, one always gets gimped.

Yeah, what's the point of pimping out niche features in a presentation if the core functionalities for many people are buggy.

This yearly OS version releases needs to stop. It only put pressures on the software team to make up some features worthy to be presented instead of really ensuring the OS is great inside and out for the existing functionalities.

 

[ian87w]

I really hope the 6s is not dropped. I mean there's no real reason it cannot handle iOS15, especially if the iPhone 7 is still supported. The A9 is basically a slower A10 minus the efficiency cores. The performance cores are relatively similar, other than the A10 being obviously a faster/more optimized variant. Also, considering the 6s until the 8 only have 2GB of RAM, I really don't see why the 6s need to be dropped.