Google may not have confirmed it but, however the firm might be exhausting at work on the following iteration of Android behind closed doorways.
So, what must you anticipate when it comes to options and compatibility with present telephones? And when will the brand new software program arrive in your gadget? Right here’s all the pieces it’s essential to find out about Android 15 at this stage.
When will Android 15 be launched?
There hasn’t been something official from Google relating to Android 15 but, however the firm tends to launch the brand new variations of Android within the second half of every calendar. Right here’s when the previous couple of generations made their debuts:
- Android 14 – October 2023
- Android 13 – August 2022
- Android 12 – October 2021
- Android 11 – September 2020
- Android 10 – September 2019
Going by this sample, we’d anticipate the complete launch model of Android 15 to reach round September or October 2024. Earlier than then, Google often launches the developer variations of the software program, which can in all probability seem within the first quarter of 2024. That is beta software program although, so we wouldn’t suggest attempting to apply it to your important smartphone.
Our first in-depth have a look at Android 15 is more likely to be at Google’s I/O developer convention, which often takes place in Might.
After all, even when Android 15 formally launches, it’ll take some time earlier than it arrives on all appropriate telephones. The newest Pixel units will probably be first in line, however a full rollout will probably take a number of months.
Which units will get Android 15?
In the event you’re studying this part, you’re in all probability questioning whether or not your present Android smartphone will get Android 15.
That relies upon when your cellphone was launched, but in addition how lengthy the corporate has stated it’s going to ship OS (working system) updates for. Many Samsung and OnePlus telephones get at the least 4 new variations, whereas Google provides three or extra and Asus solely two.
To make issues easy, we have now a devoted article on which telephones will get Android 15. There’s additionally the helpful Android 15 Replace Tracker that screens an excellent wider array of Android telephones.
However not all fashions are included, so it’s price studying the complete Tech Advisor evaluate of your cellphone to see how lengthy it’ll be supported for.
What new options will we see in Android 15?
It’s somewhat early but to know what Google will introduce when Android 15 rolls out, however there have already been some rumours as to what is likely to be in retailer.
A brand new title
Google doesn’t really use the dessert names it used to publicly give Android, however that doesn’t imply it’s stopped utilizing them internally. With that in thoughts, we now know that Android 15 will go by the nickname Vanilla Ice Cream (because the releases have reached the letter V within the alphabet). This received’t have an effect on efficiency or some other metric, however we thought you would possibly prefer to know.
Lock display screen widgets have been lacking from Android since 2015, once they had been eliminated with the introduction of Lollipop (model 5). However based on Android skilled Mishaal Rahman, they may very well be about to make a return.
In an article for Android Authority, Rahman says he was in a position to activate a brand new ‘communal’ house in a beta of Android 14, however the function by no means made it into the ultimate model. Similar to the present residence display screen, it might can help you pin varied widgets to the display screen to see as quickly as you wake the gadget.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
As you’ll be able to see above, the function seems finest suited to Android tablets. In truth, Rahman believes it could be restricted to units with bigger screens, versus smartphones.
App pairs
Many Android cellphone makers allow you to save pairs of apps that robotically launch in split-screen mode, but it surely’s not but constructed into the core software program on Pixel telephones.
Given it’s already been accessible in an Android 14 beta, this appears very probably for Android 15.
Non-public House
Android Police not too long ago reported that it had discovered a work-in-progress function within the Android 14 beta which is more likely to be completed in time for Android 15. That is Non-public House, which appears similar to Samsung’s Safe Folder function that has been round for a number of years.
With Non-public House you’ll be able to create a profile in your Android cellphone that separates knowledge from the conventional working house. In essence, it’s a safe profile the place you’ll be able to defend info and apps from being accessible and even seen by anybody utilizing your cellphone.
Non-public House appears to supply the power to make use of completely completely different safety log-in particulars to your cellphone, that means it’s best to be capable to hand your gadget to your baby or buddy with out them then having the ability to open up any apps or recordsdata which have non-public or delicate info.
Simpler NFC updates
Posting on X (previously Twitter), Mishaal Rahman states that Google is getting ready to make NFC updates separate from full Android system updates:
Primarily, which means NFC updates could be dealt with through the Google Play Retailer as soon as Android 15 launches. This might permit it for use with equipment corresponding to NFC trackers extra simply, with the power to shortly launch NFC updates with out a full system replace.
If it arrives in Android 15, this might counsel that Google is engaged on a tracker to rival the Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag.
New voice activations for third-party apps
Google is likely to be including assist for third-party apps to reap the benefits of voice activation. For the time being, you’ll be able to solely activate your Android cellphone through the Google Assistant and the ‘Okay Google’ command.
However, based on a report by Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, Google may make this a permission accessible to all third-party apps. It appears like Bard, Google’s reply to ChatGPT and Bing Chat, may partially or absolutely exchange the Google Assistant quickly, so this transfer would make sense.
Elsewhere, Rahman (through Android Authority) believes a brand new iPhone-like battery well being settings web page will probably be launched. He additionally unearthed (through Android Police) a brand new pop-up Bluetooth dialog throughout the Fast Settings menu in a latest beta.
That’s all we’ve discovered up to now, however as extra particulars come to gentle we’ll be updating this text. Within the meantime, in case you suppose your cellphone received’t make the lower for Android 15 or simply fancy a brand new handset to accompany the up to date software program, take a look at our information to the very best Android telephones.
