A year in review: Microsoft devices of 2015

As we head into 2016, we look back and revisit the devices we launched in 2015.

Feature phones

We started 2015 with Microsoft’s most affordable Internet-ready feature phone: the Nokia 215.

Priced at the time at $29 USD before taxes and subsidies, the Nokia 215 includes Facebook, Messenger, and Twitter for you socialites out there. Bing Search also makes it simple to explore the world and MSN Weather gives hourly and 5-day forecasts.

If you cast your mind back to 2013, you’ll remember the hugely popular, award-winning Nokia 105. Building on the success of that model and adding several new improvements is the new Nokia 105 we launched in June.

The extended phonebook capacity can now hold up to 2,000 contacts. Should you want to talk with one (or all) of them, the battery will last up to 15 hours. As for standby time, the new Nokia 105’s battery offers up to 35 days.

And it only costs $20 USD before taxes and subsidies.

In August we introduced the Nokia 222 that comes equipped with a physical keypad and a flashlight but also connects to the Internet and takes great photos.

The camera is 2-megapixel and photos can be shared via GroupMe by Skype, Facebook, Messenger, and Twitter.

Feature phones never looked so good. Introduced in November, the Nokia 230 and Nokia 230 Dual SIM are the latest premium quality Internet-enabled feature phones that are perfect for taking and sharing selfies.

Your photos will look great because of the two 2-megapixel cameras (one on the front and one on the back) with LED flash. Share photos via Twitter, Facebook, or GroupMe by Skype.

In addition, the aluminum back covers offer an elegant look and feel great in the hand.

Affordable Lumias

Lumia got a whole lot more affordable in 2015 with the introduction of a family of new phones under the 150 USD price tag: the Lumia 435 and Lumia 435 Dual SIM (69 EUR before taxes and subsidies), the Lumia 532 and Lumia 532 Dual SIM (79 EUR before taxes and subsidies), the Lumia 430 Dual SIM (70 USD before taxes and subsidies) and the Lumia 540 Dual SIM (149 USD before taxes and subsidies).

They deliver great hardware and integrated Microsoft services such as Skype, Cortana*, OneNote and Office out of the box helping more people stay connected and get things done.

We also introduced the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL. While similarly named, the obvious difference between these devices is the size. The Lumia 640’s screen measures 5 inches, while the Lumia 640 XL’s display measures 5.7 inches. That’s almost an inch more real estate for apps, games, or browsing the Web.

The main camera on the Lumia 640 has a 8-megapixel camera, while the Lumia 640’s snapper is more than double at 13-megapixel.

The Lumia 640 XL also comes with a bigger 3000 mAh battery, 500 more milliamps more than that of the Lumia 640.

Affordable Surface

Our first tablet of the year was the Surface 3 announced in March.

Designed to include the very best of the Surface Pro 3 but with a lower price tag, the Surface 3 was the thinnest and lightest Surface and runs full Windows.

Microsoft HoloLens

Microsoft HoloLens is the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, powered by Windows 10.HoloLens is a self-contained holographic computer that has the power to bring holograms into your real world – enabling all new ways to communicate, create, work and play. Partners like NASA JPL, Trimble, Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic, Autodesk and Volvo Cars are already exploring what’s possible with HoloLens.

Surface Hub

We also introduced the Microsoft Surface Hub – a large screen collaboration device designed to help groups in the workplace transform how they get business done.

Surface Hub brings together the power of Windows 10 and the universal app platform, Office 365 and Skype for Business with innovative hardware to deliver a completely new way to work – whether you’re in a formal conference room, informal huddle-up space, or working remotely. It will come in two sizes (55-inch and 84-inch) when it begins shipping in early 2016.

A new era of Windows 10 Devices

October was a big month, with a slew of new Microsoft devices announced in New York.

Loaded with Windows 10, the Surface Book brings together best-in-class performance with the versatility of pen and touch.

Use as conventional laptop and when needed, disconnect the screen and use as a clipboard or creative canvas.

Surface Pro 4 is our thinnest, lightest, and fastest Surface yet. The Surface Pro 4 ships with Windows 10 Pro, includes a hybrid cooling system and an 8-megapixel camera, and the optional Type Cover* accessory means that this tablet can replace your laptop.

Running Windows 10, the Lumia 550 gives you the latest version of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as Outlook, OneNote, and Cortana*.

Anything you run on the 4.7-inch HD display looks great and stutter-free thanks to the quad-core processor.

Want something a little more powerful? The Lumia 950 — loaded with Windows 10 — has the latest generation hexa-core (that’s six) processor.

The 5.2-inch AMOLED Quad HD display presents photos, videos and documents beautifully.

With Windows Continuum and the Microsoft Display Dock**, you can connect an external monitor, keyboard, and a mouse for a PC-like experience.And for an even more powerful, bigger experience, there’s the Lumia 950 XL.

This smartphone also supports Windows Continuum, meaning you can be ever more mobile than before. Running at the heart of the Lumia 950 XL is an octa-core (eight!) processor, which provides the ultimate lag-free experience.

Both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are equipped with 20-megapixel cameras and triple LED flash, which, with the help of Rich Capture, take amazing natural photos.

Both devices also charge up super-fast thanks to the USB-C ports.

The new Microsoft Band helps you live healthier by tracking your heart rate, exercise, calorie burn, and sleep quality, and helps you achieve more with email, text, and calendar alerts at a glance.

Eleven advanced sensors track data specific to running, biking, and golfing, and Microsoft Health’s cloud-based platform gives you actionable insights based on your data, empowering you to live healthier.

The sleek design and curved display makes it comfortable to wear and it’s cross-platform compatible, allowing you to use it with your iOS, Android or Windows devices***.

* In select markets
** Sold separately
*** Microsoft Health app required. Works with Windows Phone 8.1 update or later, iPhone® 5 or later running iOS® 8.1.2 or later, and Android™ 4.4 or later phones, with Bluetooth.