The Apple Products That Defined 2016
Apple products released in 2016.
2016 was certainly an interesting years for Apple. Some products introduced that year went on to shape the future of the company, while others marked the end of older ideas. From smaller iPhones to the first AirPods, many of the things we take for granted today started around this time.
Let’s travel back in time and recap everything Apple released in 2016:
iPhone SE (1st generation)
The iPhone SE introduced in 2016 brought back the smaller 4-inch design at a time when phones were getting bigger. It used the same fast chip as the iPhone 6s but in a compact body (same as iPhone 5s), making it. a popular choice for users who preferred smaller phones and lower price.
iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 lineup introduced water resistance and a faster A10 Fusion chip. It was also the first iPhone without a headphone jack, which was a controversial change at the time. The iPhone 7 Plus also introduced Apple’s first dual-camera system.
AirPods (1st generation)
AirPods were released at the end of 2016 and quickly became one of Apple’s most successful products. They introduced the simple wireless pairing experience that is now common across Apple devices.
Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2
Apple released two versions of the Apple Watch in 2016. Series 1 focused on performance improvements, while Series 2 added GPS and water resistance, making it better for workouts and swimming.
MacBook Pro (2016)
The 2016 MacBook Pro introduced a completely new design with Thunderbolt 3 ports and the Touch Bar on some models. It was thinner and lighter, but the removal of many ports created a mixed reaction from users. (On a side note, I still use a 2016 MacBook today. It still runs fine, even if it feels a bit slow sometimes.)
12-inch MacBook (Early 2016)
Apple updated the 12-inch MacBook with faster processors and better battery life. This model focused on portability and introduced the USB-C-only design that later came to other Macs.
iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
The 9.7-inch iPad Pro brought many of the larger iPad Pro features into a smaller size. It supported the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, making it a more serious productivity device.
iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED
Apple later introduced a special (PRODUCT)RED version of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. It was the first time an iPhone came in a bright red finish, and part of the sales helped support HIV/AIDS programs. This model quickly became one of the most iconic special-edition iPhones Apple has released, but one common reaction at the time was that many users wished the front of the phone was black instead of white.
Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter
I guess this was the biggest change in 2016, and definitely something not everyone was expecting.
In 2016 Apple decided to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, and included a small Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone adapter in the box. This dongle let users use wired headphones without a jack and marked the start of Apple’s wireless shift.
iOS 10
iOS 10 was the version of iOS that shipped with the iPhone 7. It introduced a redesigned Lock Screen with widgets and notification, plus a much bigger update to iMessage with stickers, apps, and screen effects. The Home app Alsop appeared for the first time, bringing HomeKit controls into one place. It was definitely a fun and exciting time for iOS.
