Google released Android 15’s first developer preview, which it said improved productivity and media consumption experiences by prioritizing app performance, battery life, and robust privacy and security.
What is Android 15 Developer Preview 1?
Google’s upcoming Android version, Android 15th, has a dessert codename of Vanilla Ice Cream. Which starts with its Developer Build, exclusive to developers for testing. Google’s developers expect developers to engage with developer builds.
This build isn’t intended for regular users, and because of the bugs and instability of the build, we recommend waiting for the final release or the public beta.
Logo for Android 15
There aren’t many big tweaks to Android 15. It has a space-themed badge similar to Android 14.
Android 15 Timeline and Updates
Google has shared the timeline for Android 15 for the developer preview, beta, and final release.
- February: Developer Preview 1
- March: Developer Preview 2
- April: Beta 1
- May: Beta 2
We can expect Android 15 platform stability at Beta 3 in June 2024, and we can expect developers to finish testing and start releasing Android 15-supported apps.
- June: Beta 3
- July: Beta 4
After July, there will be a few updates via OTA as it’s nearing the final build before the final release later this year, which will likely launch towards the second half of 2024, between August and October for the final release to AOSP and the ecosystem.
Note: Android 14 DP/Beta may get delayed as the month progresses.
Android 15 Developer Preview 1 Supported Device
Google has currently limited the Developer Preview build to their own devices. Here are the Pixel devices that are compatible with Android 15. The list is as follows:
- Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 7a
- Pixel tablet
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro
The company has dropped a few Pixel devices that will be released in 2020 and early 2021, which include the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a. By the time Android 15 formally debuts later this year, Google may have added the Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel 9 series.
What’s new in Android 15?
What is new in privacy and security in the Android 15 Developer Preview?
There are new safeguards for users’ privacy and security.
- Privacy Sandbox: Upgraded Android Ad Service to Level 10 Extension, which now incorporates the latest Sandbox for a personalized ad experience.
- Health Connect: Integrated Android 10 Level 10 extension to further secure the platform while managing and sharing health data that is collected by apps.
- File integrity: The new FileIntegrityManager enhances security features by utilizing fs-verity to prevent unauthorized file modification or malware attacks.
- Partial Screen Sharing: Added support for recording specific apps or sharing windows for improved user consent and privacy.
New tools and hardware support for creators
- Adds support for in-app camera hardware and algorithmic controls for boosting the brightness of the camera preview, especially in low light.
- Extending support for Virtual MIDI 2.0 apps by adding UMP Support, which enables composition apps to control synthesis effectively.
How Android 15 will improve performance and quality
Expanding the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) with power-efficiency modes and thermal management capabilities.
Android 15 Developer Productivity
We added OpenJDK APIs and continue to expand compatibility with over a billion devices running Android 12+.
Under the hood, Google is still developing in the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) some of the features. During the developer and beta preview of Android 15, there could be some features that may not be available at the time of the final release.