Experienced Android users are aware of the excitement that comes with testing out new major versions of Android 15 . While new Android iterations are always thrilling, the previous three big releases have not been. Despite the fact that Android has grown over the past few years, it seems that Google is no longer releasing new features or making big changes to the main Android versions. Although we think the Android 15 update introduces numerous tiny changes that at first seem insignificant but significantly improve the user experience, such remark still has some validity. This is my evaluation of Android 15, including my favorite and least favorite features.
Since the release of the initial Developer Preview of Android 15 to the most recent QPR1 Beta 2 release, I have been using Android 15. Even though we’ve put up a thorough list of Android 15 features, if all you’re after is a quick assessment of how Android 15 compares to Android 14, you’ve come to the correct spot.
Android 15: Apps I Enjoy
Numerous small but significant changes made to Android 15 greatly enhance the user experience. Here are all of the update’s positive aspects.
Good Performance and Stability
I can’t help but note right away how much more reliable the Android 15 version is than the Android 14 one from last year. All of this, I assume, is a result of Google taking a little longer than usual to distribute the update. Although some may have been displeased with the update’s delayed rollout, I believe Google made the right decision in doing so. Even on my three-year-old Pixel, Android 15 runs smoothly and steadily, making it feel as though I just unboxed the device and started using it.
Users frequently experience a placebo effect following a significant update. Although I thought I was experiencing the same thing, after giving Android 15 a thorough run, I can tell that the performance and transitions are much smoother now.
The animations are a little more delicate and lively, and unlike on Android 14, I haven’t seen them break or jump. Using gesture navigation to navigate between apps and return to them, as well as swiping to open fast settings on the go, gives the experience a more sophisticated and lively feel overall. Did I also mention how great the understated addition to the lock screen clock looks when you tap the screen to wake it up? Pretty cool, Google.
A few possible causes include updates to the SQLite database and the Android Dynamic Performance Framework. Enabling support for 16 KB page size on Android is a potential 10% performance increase, albeit it has not been implemented yet. For the same, Google claims to be collaborating with OEMs.
UI Upgrades
People enjoy seeing UI updates in new releases, and while Android 15 doesn’t offer many new features, it does offer some minor ones that have a big impact, starting with the Predictive back gesture.
The animations for the predicting back gesture are excellent. To notify you when the back gesture is initiated, it blends the haptics of your device with subtly animating the app’s screen borders. While displaying the content behind the page you are attempting to leave. Cross-page predictive back motions are compatible, and pop-ups such as the keyboard and Circle to Search are a nice addition.
The new Volume Panel looks great and allows you to switch audio playback devices directly from the panel, despite being Pixel-only. Now, the sliders for different media volumes match the most recent material design. In addition, the panel allows you to control ANC, Spatial Audio, and Live Captions in addition to displaying the material that is now playing.
Though we’re not sure if the ANC and Spatial Audio controls are unique to Pixels and Pixel Buds, any OEM should theoretically be able to implement these controls if they utilize this volume panel structure, as the APIs are publicly available. Even said, the new panel is a fantastic feature and something that ought to have been there much sooner. I suppose it’s better late than never.
The wallpaper setup menu has also been improved. Although nothing particularly noteworthy, it’s nonetheless a good change. Likewise, there’s now a choice for auto-turn-on in the Bluetooth settings. This is to improve the new Find My Device experience, so you can track missing devices easier. Very cool.
An Advancement Towards Sensing Less Stock Android
Although it’s still true, the claim that Pixel UI is feature-less is now less valid in light of the Android 15 release. Although it’s still not nearly as good as OnePlus’ OxygenOS and Samsung’s OneUI, it’s getting there. A features list of some of the most important changes to Android 15 can be found here:
You can select which app to record using partial screen recording. Additionally, screen-sharing protection activates when you share your screen with an app like Google Meet, preventing alerts from showing on the recipient’s screen. I’ve already found it to be really beneficial in a variety of circumstances.
Private Space accomplishes three goals at once. With just one function, you can practically clone, lock, and hide apps. This is fantastic since, unlike some UIs, all the features are consolidated under one roof rather than being dispersed throughout the Settings. In addition, Google has released several other tools that will assist you in avoiding scams. While not all of these are exclusive to Android 15, some are, and they are nonetheless worthy of note.
When you receive a constant stream of messages from your closest friends or family, your phone’s notification chime will gradually go quieter thanks to notification cooldown. However, Android now features a pop-out Bluetooth menu that makes it easier to quickly switch between Bluetooth devices. It took Google a while, but it’s here at last.
The Android counterpart of iOS’s offloading of apps functionality is called app archiving. It facilitates the removal of unused programs from your system. It accomplishes this by removing the base APK from your phone’s storage while preserving the app’s data. It still amazes me that the Quick Settings interface hasn’t received this much-needed update sooner. In landscape mode, it looks much more approachable today.
Lastly, App Pairs allows you to save two apps on your home screen that you may later use in split screen mode by tapping the shortcut. If you are someone who frequently uses two programs at once, this could be a useful shortcut for multitasking.
Numerous Security Features
Android 15 has made numerous advancements in the areas of security and privacy. Consider the Next Gen Call Screening, which is now being offered in Japan and the UK. By allowing Google Assistant to speak on their behalf, it assists consumers in fending off spam calls.
Next is Theft Protection, which is now making its way to the majority of Android smartphones but isn’t specifically restricted to Android 15 or Pixels. When your Android device senses sudden motion, Theft Protection locks it automatically. This could be useful if someone steals your phone and tries to flee with it.
In a similar vein, you could find the Remote Lock option useful if you wish to lock the screen of your stolen device. To unlock your handset, simply input your phone number on Android.com/lock and select Lock device.
Finally, after using the Android Flash Tool to install Android 15, I was prompted to enter the Google account credentials I had on file when I had previously forced reset the device. This is because to Google’s enhanced Factory Reset Protection, which was included in Android 15. We go into great detail about it in the article that is linked above. In summary, it guards your gadget from robbers who attempt to take it and force a restart.
Android 15: Disagreeable Features
Even while Android 15 has a lot of great features, there are few that I wish Google had included or enhanced. This is what bothers me about Android 15.
The Horrible Quick Settings Are Still There
I’ve made an effort to adore the Quick Settings panel that Google debuted with Android 12, but I’ve fallen short. Large, superfluous space is taken up by the enormous tiles. The “Quick” settings tiles’ intended purpose would have been defeated if this had been beneficial for adding more tiles.
I adore Nothing’s new Quick Settings tiles in Nothing OS 3.0, and some rumors indicate that Android 16 might introduce updated quick settings. Nevertheless, I would have rather seen Google redesign Quick Settings in Android 15.
At a glance, where is the Revamped?
The release of the redesigned At a Glance widget along with the option to disable it is one of the features of Pixel UI and Launcher that I’ve been eagerly anticipating. Despite evaluating those features internally for some time, Google has not released any of them.
I was excited about it. The Google app’s present widget still seems lacking in some way. Two “At a Glance” widgets on the home screen would look terrible, even if I chose to utilize it. The most overlooked Google app ever is still the Pixel launcher.
Absent Lockscreen Symbols
Android 15 brings Lockscreen widgets to tablets, but not to Android phones. Widgets on the lock screen, a la Nothing OS, would be a great way to enable people accomplish tasks or quickly view information without having to unlock their devices. I hope Android 16 brings lock screen widgets to phones, something I wish Google had focused on.
Material You Inconsistencies
Since the initial release of Material You, there have been three main revisions, although there are still discrepancies with the same. Even though Android 15’s UI has improved nicely, I can’t help but notice that Google hasn’t required app developers to use themed icons, hence they are still not widely used.
Ironically, a few Google apps are among the numerous icons that do not yet support themed icons. Additionally, Pixels were scheduled to receive a “Force themed icons” toggle, but there has been no word on when or if this will happen.
Still No Battery Health
I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime for the Battery Health function. Although the APIs are available and can be accessible by third-party apps, Google was spotted testing the feature back in the Android 13 Beta. However, there is still no official way to monitor the battery health percentage on Pixel UI. I wonder why it’s taking Google so long to introduce the capability to Android when OEMs like OnePlus have it in place now.
Despite being present in the Android 15 QPR 1 Beta, the Component Health feature has not yet reached stability. Thus, features like battery health and storage are no longer available. We hope to see the feature in upcoming editions.
Android 15 Recap: Minor Changes, Major Effects
Since I’ve been using Android 15 since the initial Developer Preview, I can categorically state that the most recent version brings enhancements deserving of the moniker “major upgrade.” The version has several features, but they are overshadowed by Google’s usual method of feature release, which involves releasing features gradually.
I can conclude that although I was hoping for features like Battery Health, Lockscreen widgets, and a revamped Quick Settings panel, it’s a really good release with improvements like Private Space, App Pairs, Partial Screen Recording, and App archiving.
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