2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina vs. 2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina and 2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3), including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina vs. 2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)

The 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina features the 28W 5th Generation Intel Broadwell dual-core Intel Core i5-5257U up to dual-core Intel Core i7-5557U with the boost speed up to 3.40 GHz. While the 2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) features the 15W 6th Generation Intel Skylake dual-core Intel Core i5-6360U up to dual-core Intel Core i7-6660U with the boost speed up to 3.40 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 13.3″ 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina and the 13.3″ 2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina vs. 2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3): Specs Comparison

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina image

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina

2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) image

2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)

Availability
Released20152016
Release Info
  • Announced on March 9th, 2015
  • Available on March 9th, 2015
  • Announced on October 27, 2016
  • Available on October 28, 2016
Pricing
  • $1,299
    Intel Core i5 5257U | 8GB RAM | 128GB SSD
  • $1,499
    Intel Core i5 5257U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,799
    Intel Core i5 5287U | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
  • $1,499
    Intel Core i5 6360U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
Display2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Size13.3 Inches13.3 Inches
InfoRetina display
  • 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1440 by 900
    • 1024 by 640
  • 300 nits brightness
  • Standard color gamut (sRGB)
  • 900:1 contrast ratio
Retina display
  • 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1440 by 900
    • 1024 by 640
  • 500 nits brightness
  • Wide color gamut (P3)
Exterior2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Size Comparison
Dimensions12.35” x 8.62” x 0.71” (314 mm x 219 mm x 18 mm)11.97” x 8.36” x 0.59” (304.1 mm x 212.4 mm x 14.9 mm)
WeightStarting at 3.48 lb (1.58 kg)Starting at 3.02 lb (1.37 kg)
Colors
Silver
Space GraySilver
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement) with ambient light sensor
  • Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
Ports
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 2 ports
    Supports data transfers up to 20 Gbps.
  • 2 x USB 3.0 ports
    Supports data transfers up to 5 Gbps.
  • 1 x HDMI port
  • 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • 1 x SDXC card reader
  • 1 x MagSafe 2 power port
2 x Thunderbolt 3
Supports charging, DisplayPort,Thunderbolt (40Gb/s), and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gb/s).
Internal Specs2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Processor
  • 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.70 → 3.10 GHz, 3MB Cache, 28W
  • 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.90 → 3.30 GHz, 3MB Cache, 28W
  • 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 3.10 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB Cache, 28W
  • 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-6360U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.00 → 3.10 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
  • 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6660U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.40 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
Integrated Graphics
  • 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
  • 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
  • 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
  • 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-6360U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 540
    48 Execution Units with 64 MB eDRAM, 300 → 1000 MHz
  • 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6660U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 540
    48 Execution Units with 64 MB eDRAM, 300 → 1050 MHz
Memory
8GB
configurable to 16GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
8GB
configurable to 16GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage
256GB512GB
configurable to 1TB SSD
256GB
configurable to 512GB or 1TB SSD
Connectivity2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2 wireless technologyBluetooth 4.2 wireless technology
Battery2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Size74.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery54.5 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 10 hours Apple TV app movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.
61W USB‑C Power Adapter
Software2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
OSShipped with OS X YosemiteShipped with macOS Sierra
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesiBooksApp StoreTime Machine
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Camera & Audio2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • Dual microphones
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
    • Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone
    • Support for audio line out (digital/analog)
  • Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
  • Three microphones
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
Misc2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina2016 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
In the box
  • 13‑inch MacBook Pro
  • MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
  • Power cord
  • AC wall plug
  • 13‑inch MacBook Pro
  • 61W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
WarrantyYour MacBook Pro with Retina display comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple‑authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple Support or call 800-823-2775.Your MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one‑year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ for Mac to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.
More
Video Support
  • Intel Iris Graphics 6100
  • Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on up to two external displays, both at millions of colors.
  • Thunderbolt digital video output
    • Native Mini DisplayPort output
    • DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output supported using Mini DisplayPort adapters (sold separately)
  • HDMI video output
    • Support for 1080p resolution at up to 60Hz
    • Support for 3840-by-2160 resolution at 30Hz
    • Support for 4096-by-2160 resolution at 24Hz
Video Support
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
  • One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
  • Up to two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
  • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • VGA, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

Suggested Comparisons

Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina: