A few months after Android 14 was officially released, Google has already started testing the next version, Android 15. The first developer preview of Android 15 is now available for supported Pixel devices, giving us a sneak peek ahead of its official release. It is expected to be held at the 2024 Google I/O conference.
Here, we take a look at some of the new features in Android 15, although Google may be hiding some features for now. In addition, we will provide instructions for installing the developer preview and list supported devices. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What is Android 15 called?
Google stopped using internal codenames to promote Android releases a while ago, but they still use them internally. For example, Android 14 was dubbed “upside-down cake” for the letter U, and now, for the letter V, we have Android 15, nicknamed “vanilla ice cream.”
However, Android 15’s official logo looks nothing like ice cream. Instead, it features a green triangle shape with the Android mascot “15” on the back. It seems to be staring at the end of a door or bridge with stars on either side.
Android 15: New features
While Android 14 brings significant changes compared to Android 13, Android 15 appears to be just a mild update, at least at this stage. Google says Android 15 focuses on four areas of improvement across the operating system: improving the media experience, minimizing battery impact, maximizing smooth app performance, and protecting user security. Here’s everything new we’ve discovered in Android 15 so far:
Improve camera input in third-party applications
Pocketnow / Jaime Rivera
There’s no denying that the Samsung Galaxy S24 is one of the best phones out there, but one feature that makes it stand out is that apps like Instagram and Snapchat can take advantage of advanced camera features (features available in the main camera app like Nitography and Super HDR) social media app. However, on other Android smartphones, the situation is very different due to limited camera controls available from social media apps.
In Android 15, Google is working to better support camera control for third-party apps by providing more accessible APIs. Two new features have been added to the camera API: enhancement of low-light conditions to make the camera preview brighter and the ability to control flash intensity. Further updates may introduce additional enhancements.
Partial screen sharing
Android 15 will allow users to record or share only a specific app window or part of the screen instead of sharing the entire screen. The feature first debuted on Google Pixel devices with Android 14, but will now be rolled out to other Android devices with Android 15 as well.
Notification cooling time
Have you ever noticed that your phone is flooded with notifications during peak chat hours? Well, Google is here to save you, as Android 15 introduces a handy new feature called Notification Cooldown. This feature reduces notification volume when you receive multiple notifications from the same app in quick succession.
Brightness slider now provides vibration feedback
A minor but noteworthy feature is that you now feel a slight tactile feedback when you adjust the brightness slider. It’s a subtle move, but it shows Google’s commitment to perfecting hardware and software to deliver a more polished Android experience.
Universal switch to control keyboard vibration
Android 15 introduces a new “Keyboard vibration” setting that allows users to disable vibration for all keyboards installed on their phone. When this setting is disabled, the keyboard will not vibrate when tapped. However, if enabled, users can still manage vibration settings in each keyboard app individually.
Foldable devices get new continuity features
Foldable devices are becoming more and more popular in the Android market, and since Android 12L, Google has been fine-tuning the operating system for large-screen foldable devices. Now, Android 15 introduces a handy new continuity feature. You can now control what happens on the front screen when you close your foldable device. You can choose to turn the front display on when you fold the device, turn it on for specific apps like games and videos, or just lock it every time you fold the screen.
Notably, Google is also testing a OnePlus Open-like feature, where users will be able to continue using apps on the cover screen via a “swipe up to continue” gesture (via mishal rahman). However, the feature is still not available in Android 15 Developer Preview 1.
Android dynamic performance framework improvements
Android 15 also improves the Android Performance Durability Power Framework (ADPF) and adds new power efficiency modes. This mode will allow the operating system to reduce power consumption of long-running background applications. Additionally, the system can now report GPU and CPU work duration, allowing Android to optimize CPU and GPU frequencies to better handle workload requirements.
Other features
Android 15 also includes some other behind-the-scenes changes. For example, the new Health Connect API adds support for more fitness-related metrics, such as average cadence, trans fat, and more. Android 15 also supports the fs-verity feature in the Linux kernel, which means files can now be protected with custom cryptographic signatures, preventing any kind of file corruption. In addition, Android 15 also adds support for the latest version of Privacy Sandbox.
Android 15: List of supported devices
Currently, Android 15 is only available for Google Pixel devices equipped with Tensor chipsets. While Google may expand the developer preview program to other brands of devices at a later stage, this has not yet been confirmed. Currently, you can only install the first Android Developer Preview on the following devices:
Android 15: How to install
Unlike the Android Beta program, which allows users to sign up and download beta software on their Pixel devices simply by signing up on the Android Beta website, installing the Developer Preview is a bit trickier. These preview builds are primarily intended for app developers and are quite unstable for daily use. However, if you’re keen on giving Android 15 a try, here’s a simplified guide:
First, enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking on your device. Then, install Android Flash Tool on Google Chrome on your desktop. Once setup is complete, visit the website and follow these steps:
- Connect your Pixel device to the desktop and allow ADB access when the popup appears.
- Now click Add New Device, select your device and click Connect.
- Next, enable “Always allow from this computer” on your phone and tap “Allow.”
- Your Pixel should appear on the screen. Now, under Popular Versions, select “Developer Preview”.
- Click Install Version and then click Confirm.
- Android 15 will be installed on your Pixel.
For a more in-depth guide, check out our sister site Android Police’s instructions detailing the steps for Android 15 on Pixel devices.
When will Android 15 be released?
Currently, Google has only released the first developer preview of Android 15. The company will release another developer preview next month. And, according to the timeline shared by the company, the Android 15 beta is expected to be released in mid-March, with the final version likely to be released later this year, possibly coinciding with the Pixel 9 launch in the fall.
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