94% of iPhones run 16 months old or younger OS

iOS 15 brings many new features

iOS 15 adoption seems to be creeping up with the latest Mixpanel data claiming this has already reached almost 60 percent.

iOS 15 looms toward 60% deployment

The data suggests iOS 15 to be installed on 58 percent of iPhones with another 36 percent of Apple smartphones running iOS 14 or earlier.

The remaining 6 percent of devices are running an earlier OS, which suggests a substantial set of users to aim the probably lower cost iPhone SE2 at in spring 2022.

The rate of deployment does seem a little slower than previous years. For example, previous data claimed iOS 15 was adopted by 8.5 percent of iPhone users in the first two days of launch, compared to the 14.5 percent deployment achieved by iOS 14 in the same period.

Apple has not yet updated the distribution data it provides developers, which still shows June 3, 2021 distribution of the OS, which at that time showed iOS 14 on 90 percent of all devices made between 2017-2021. iOS 15 deployment is not shown. (I’m not sure, but I’ve a feeling we usually have some insight on this.)

iOS 15’s Live Text is exciting to me

iOS 15.2 is coming, will it boost adoption?

Apple is putting the finishing touches to iOS 15.2 (compatible with devices back to and including iPhone 6S), which presumably it hopes will bring another batch of upgraders aboard, with the App Privacy Report almost certainly destined to fully exposed developers who have been abusing your trust and stealing your data.

The release will also usher in Apple Music Voice Plan, Apple’s new $4.99 per month plan that gives you access to the entire Apple Music library but at the cost of enduring trying to make Siri understand what you mean when you try to say “Einstürzende Neubauten”.

Additional improvements in the release include the introduction of iPhone parts and service history to show you the state of your device, support for legacy contacts and a new Hide My Email feature.

One addition that won’t be popular is the introduction of CSAM protection measures that have been slammed by civil rights and privacy advocates. Considering recent news concerning NSO Group, it’s a question of when, not if, those measures are subverted.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolic’s bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.