new features, release date, compatible smartphones… everything we know

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Android 15 is being revealed little by little. The new features of Google’s mobile OS relate to security, audio, storage and even the possibility of sending messages by satellite.

Android 15 is here. The new version of the OS for smartphones reveals itself and has been deployed since October 15, 2024 in its stable version. So what does Vanilla Ice Cream have in store for us from its internal code name?

Which smartphones are compatible with Android 15?

Initially, the only compatible phones were, as usual, the Google Pixel. It is always the latter who receive the latest betas first. But now, other manufacturers are starting to deploy their betas.

Google Pixel compatible with Android 15

Here is the list of compatible Google smartphones and devices:

Android 15 on Honor smartphones

Two smartphones can benefit from Android 15 in beta at Honor:

Here is the list of devices that should eventually receive the update:

Honor 200
Honor 200 Lite
Honor 200 Pro
Honor 90
Honor Magic V Flip
Honor Magic V3
Honor Magic Vs
Honor Magic 5
Honor Magic 5 Pro
Honor Magic 6
Honor Magic 6 Lite
Honor X50 Pro

Android 15 on Motorola smartphones

For now, the update for Motorola smartphones is only available in beta. Here is the official list of models that will benefit from it:

Motorola Edge+ 2023
Motorola Edge 2024
Motorola Edge 40 Pro
Motorola Edge 50 / Edge 50 Fusion / Edge 50 Neo / Edge 50 Pro / Edge 50 Ultra
Moto G Power 5G (2024)
Moto G 5G (2024)
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Moto G34 5G
Moto G35
Moto G45
Moto G55
Moto G75
Moto G85
Motorola Razr 40 / Razr 40 Ultra
Motorola Razr 50 / Razr 50 Ultra
Motorola ThinkPhone

Android 15 on OnePlus smartphones

Two OnePlus devices can already access the update in beta:

Ultimately, here is the list of devices that will benefit from it:

OnePlus 10 Pro
OnePlus 11
OnePlus 11R
OnePlus 12R
OnePlus Nord 3
OnePlus Nord 4
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite
OnePlus Nord CE4

Android 15 on Samsung smartphones

For the moment, no Samsung model has access to Android 15. But based on the Korean manufacturer’s update promises, it is possible to establish this list:

Samsung Galaxy A05
Samsung Galaxy A05s
Samsung Galaxy A06
Samsung Galaxy A14 4G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Samsung Galaxy A15 4G
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Samsung Galaxy A16 4G
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G
Samsung Galaxy A25
Samsung Galaxy A33
Samsung Galaxy A34
Samsung Galaxy A35
Samsung Galaxy A53
Samsung Galaxy A54
Samsung Galaxy A55
Samsung Galaxy A73
Samsung Galaxy M35
Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Samsung Galaxy S22
Samsung Galaxy S22+
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Android 15 on Xiaomi smartphones

Two smartphones benefit from the Android 15 beta at Xiaomi:

As for the models that should benefit in the long term, here they are:

Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 12 Lite 5G
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi 13
Xiaomi 13 Lite
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Xiaomi 13T
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Xiaomi 14T
Xiaomi 14T Pro
Xiaomi Mix Flip
Xiaomi Mix Fold 4
Xiaomi Poco F5
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
Xiaomi Poco F6
Xiaomi Poco X6
Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi 12
Xiaomi Redmi 13 5G
Xiaomi Redmi 13 4G
Xiaomi Redmi 14C
Xiaomi Redmi A3
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Turbo
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

Android 15 in other brands

Here is the list of non-Pixel devices that can install Android 15 in beta 1:

Asus ROG Phone 7
Asus ROG Phone Ultimate
Asus ROG Phone 8
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Asus Zenfone 10
Asus Zenfone 11 UItra
Nothing CMF Phone 1
Nothing Phone (1)
Nothing Phone (2)
Nothing Phone (2a)
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Realme 12 Pro+ 5G
Sony Xperia 1 IV
Sony Xperia 1V
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony Xperia 10 VI
Sony Xperia 5V
Vivo X100

What’s new

We already have a first slew of features confirmed during the Google I/O of the release of various Android 15 betas. Here is a non-exhaustive list:

In screen sharing, the possibility of showing only one application at a time;
Support for satellite communications;

Applications will be able to integrate several different types of vibrations depending on the notifications. It will also be possible for the system to hide sensitive notifications;
Bluetooth LE integration;
A high quality mode when using your smartphone as a webcam;
AV1 decoding is being extended to older or less high-end devices;
The smartphone will be able to detect an attempted theft and to lock itself if necessary;
A private space where you can store applications and files. You will be asked for a code or biometric authentication to access it;
Android will now ask your gender to be more inclusive;
Gesture navigation adds “predictive feedback”. In short, the interface should better tell you where you are going when you backtrack.

Security and privacy

Several new features relate to security, such as the upcoming ability for applications to detect if they are being recorded. This should allow them to notify you. Hopefully this doesn’t turn into a big block against screenshots…

Another interesting addition, the NFC controller should be able to switch to passive mode. This should allow him to just listen, but not respond.

Likewise, changing the USB connection mode, for example from charging mode to data transfer mode, will now require identification. All traditional identification methods such as those used to unlock the screen will be supported: password, biometrics, facial recognition.

Webcam

From Android 14, it is possible to use your smartphone as a webcam. But the quality was not really there.

Android 15 will add a “high quality” mode when the smartphone is connected via USB to a PC as shown Android Authority. This should activate with a simple button in the interface.

Audio: very good in perspective

Android 15 should bring two major new features in audio. The first is support for the CTA-2075. Behind this barbaric name, you will find a standard which allows all apps to be based on the same sound volume. This should avoid significant volume differences from one app to another.

Another addition, and not the least, Android 15 will allow you to share an audio source with several speakersheadphones or earphones. You will finally being able to watch a film together on the train without having to resort to sharing a pair of headphones.

PDF reading worthy of the name

Opening a PDF on an Android smartphone is always… an experience. Google’s OS often relies on internet browsers which are not always fully adapted to this use.

The API responsible for PDFs will evolve and integrate the ability to search for text, copy and paste as well as regular updating via Google Play system updates.

What was the Android 15 rollout schedule?

The release schedule for the different versions before the stable version release is set like clockwork. First two Developer Previews in February and March, then four betas in April, May, June and July.

Google Android 15 Launch Timeline — © Google

Usually, Google aligns the release of the stable version with the release of its new smartphones, for 2024 the Pixel 9 SO. But these have already been unveiled in August 2024. But Google maintained its usual pace and released Android 15 in October 2024.