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According to Apple, all devices running iOS 14 will also support iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. This also includes the iPhone 6S. However, there are some features that are exclusive to the iPhone XS or newer. You can find an overview below.
In fact, there are features that require at least an A12 Bionic chip or newer. Accordingly, said features are only available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 series.
Spatial Audio on FaceTime
- This feature creates a sound field that helps make conversations as easy as face-to-face. Your friends' voices are distributed to sound like they're coming from the direction they're in during the call.
Portrait mode on FaceTime
- With iOS 15, it's possible to blur the background of a call to put the focus on you. But only iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip or newer will be able to use this feature.
Interactive globe on Maps
- Only newer iPhones will be able to explore the new interactive 3D globe on Apple Maps, which includes significantly improved detail for mountain ranges, deserts, forests, oceans, and more.
Immersive directions in Maps
- With step-by-step directions displayed in augmented reality, you can reach your destination quickly.
Live Text in Photos
- With iOS 15, text in all your photos is interactive, so you can use features like copy and paste, look up, and translate. Live Text works in Photos, Screenshot, Quick Look, and Safari, as well as in live previews with the camera.
Visual reference
- Swipe up or tap the information button on any photo to mark recognized objects and scenes. Learn about popular works of art and landmarks around the world, plants and flowers in nature, books, and pet breeds.
New animated backgrounds for weather
- There are now thousands of variations of animated backgrounds that more accurately depict the position of the sun, clouds and precipitation.
on-device speech processing
- With iOS 15, your requests are now processed entirely on your iPhone unless you choose to share them. The power of the Apple Neural Engine enables speech recognition models with the same high quality as server-based speech recognition.
keys in the wallet
- Add house keys, hotel keys, office keys, and car keys with an iPhone XR/XS or later.
iOS 15 also includes iPhone 12 exclusive features
In addition to the above features, which require at least an A12 Bionic chip, there are of course also functions that are reserved only for the iPhone 12 models.
panoramic images
- Panorama mode on iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro has improved geometric distortion and better captures moving subjects while reducing image noise and banding.
Improved connectivity with 5G
- More app and system experiences will be enhanced with faster 5G connectivity, including support for backing up to and restoring from iCloud backup, streaming audio and video content in Apple and third-party apps, downloading Apple TV+ content in higher quality, syncing photos with iCloud Photos, updating Apple News+ articles for offline reading, and downloading machine learning models.
5G is preferred over WiFi
- The iPhone 12 series now automatically prioritizes 5G when Wi-Fi connectivity is slow on networks you occasionally visit or when you're connected to unfamiliar or unsafe networks, so you can enjoy a faster, more secure connection.
There are also two iOS 15 features that are only available from the iPhone 7 onwards. This means that both features exclude the first generation iPhone 6S and SE.
Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- Listeners with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max can get an even more immersive Dolby Atmos music experience with Apple's dynamic head tracking. Requires iPhone 7.
Walking Steadiness
- Walking Steadiness on iPhone is a new health metric that can give you insight into your risk of falling. Requires iPhone 8 or later.
iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8 and tvOS 15 will be released this fall. According to Apple, all updates will be made available as public beta in July. (Photo by ADCstock / Bigstockphoto)
