Android 15 update on Google Pixel: All the new features, changes, and unique features
The arrival of Android 15 to the devices Google Pixel Android 15 has revolutionized the Android ecosystem. With each new release, Google strives to strengthen security, privacy, customization, and usability, while also incorporating AI-powered features, camera improvements, and user experience overhauls across phones, tablets, and wearables. In this article, you'll find a highly detailed rundown of all the new features in Android XNUMX for Google Pixel users, integrating all the relevant features and details from the most reliable and well-researched sources, from design changes to technical innovations for developers and advanced users.
The rollout of Android 15 to Pixel phones marks the beginning of its subsequent rollout to other manufacturers' phones. Here you'll find complete information on key updates, the best customization options, new security features, camera updates, and advanced details for those who want to get the most out of their device.
Key new features of Android 15 on Google Pixel
- Security and anti-theft protection: New smart features to protect your device before, during, and after a potential theft, integrating AI to lock the screen and prevent access to sensitive data.
- Private space: A secure, isolated environment where the user can hide applications and personal data, accessible only by biometric or PIN authentication methods.
- camera updates: Low-light photography improvements, editing tools like Magic Audio Eraser, improved astrophotography functionality, and advanced options for content creators.
- Advanced customization: Material You design changes, new ways to adjust widgets, a taskbar for multitasking, and full control over notifications and sounds.
- Connectivity improvements: : Satellite connectivity integration, improved Bluetooth, optimized WiFi, and new audio sharing capabilities.
- Performance and battery updates: Optimizations for greater efficiency, autonomy and response speed in the system.
- Accessibility and privacy features: Improvements for users with different needs, new contrast levels, and additional protection for OTP codes.
Security and privacy innovations: Anti-theft protection, Private Space, and advanced locking
Protecting user data in the event of a lost or stolen phone is a top priority for Android 15. The following features represent a quantum leap in security for Google Pixel devices:
- Anti-theft detection with AI: The system uses phone sensors and machine learning algorithms to identify suspicious movements associated with theft. If it detects the device being snatched, it instantly locks the screen and restricts access to the system to protect personal information and payments stored on the phone.
- Locking the offline deviceIf a criminal attempts to disconnect your device from the internet, Android 15 automatically locks the screen after an unjustified period of disconnection, preventing data extraction or remote wiping.
- Simplified remote lockingThe user can lock the phone from any other device by going to android.com/lock and using a verified phone number, without having to remember Google credentials. This adds an extra layer of security to respond quickly in the event of loss or theft.
- Rollback protectionGoogle has hardened the Pixel bootloader to prevent reinstalling older versions of Android, blocking known vulnerabilities in previous systems and making it difficult for an attacker to use an old ROM to exploit security flaws.
- Private space: A secure environment where the user can hide personal, banking, or sensitive apps behind a second layer of security (PIN, password, or biometrics). Only after authentication can these apps and data be accessed.
- Enhanced protection of OTP codes and notificationsAndroid 15 prevents apps with notification permissions from reading messages with verification codes (OTP), protecting against fraud and unauthorized access.
- Blocking malicious applications: The system includes controls to prevent dangerous apps from hiding behind other apps to exploit permissions.
- Auto-dimming notifications: When receiving multiple consecutive notifications from the same app, the system automatically reduces its volume for two minutes to prevent overload and potential social engineering attempts through notification spam.
Advanced camera improvements for Google Pixel users
Android 15 and the Pixel continue to lead the way in mobile photography and AI camera integration, thanks to unique features designed to take full advantage of the hardware. Notable updates include:
- Low Light Boost: Allows you to take higher quality photos in low light conditions, with advanced noise reduction and digital lighting.
- Magic Audio Eraser: Remove distracting noises from recorded videos, such as wind or crowds, or adjust the level of sounds and voices independently. Suitable for content creators.
- Optimized underwater photography: Pixels now produce more vibrant and realistic photos and videos underwater, ideal for users who practice diving or water sports.
- Astrophotography with slider: Improvements to Night Sight mode allow you to capture images of stars and dark skies by directly selecting the feature from Night Sight.
- Update for third-party camera apps: Improved APIs give other applications more control over sensors, flash, and image processing.
- Share multimedia content easily: New media transfer feature between Pixel Tablet and Pixel Phone, making it easier to manage media files.
Advanced customization and a new user experience in Android 15
Android 15 takes a significant leap forward in customization, with new visual options and deeper integration of Material You throughout the interface:
- Material You renewed: Design tweaks to quick panels, menus, and notifications offer a more consistent aesthetic, responsive colors, and rounded edges for greater visual cohesion.
- New widgets and lock screenLock screen widgets are returning to tablets and are planned for other formats. Users can preview and organize widgets by category.
- More versatile taskbar for foldables and tablets: Allows you to pin/unpin the taskbar and create shortcuts to open two apps in split screen at once.
- Notifications reorganized: Changes to notification design and functionality allow floating notifications to be less intrusive during full-screen use.
- Optimized volume control: The new volume panel implements the CTA-2075 standard, achieving smoother audio transitions between apps and granular sound customization.
- Quick-to-adjust keyboard vibrations: New access in settings to quickly turn keyboard vibration on or off from the sound and vibration section.
Next-level connectivity: Satellite, Bluetooth, NFC and WiFi
Android 15 expands the connectivity capabilities of the Google Pixel, enabling more robust and versatile access through a variety of technologies:
- Satellite connectivity: Compatible Pixels allow you to send and receive messages (SMS, MMS, and RCS) via satellite in areas without cellular coverage.
- Enhanced Bluetooth and Auracast: New Quick Settings pop-up window for managing devices, pairing new accessories, and sharing audio via Auracast, supporting multiple devices at the same time.
- Aesthetic and functional WiFi: : Changes to the design of the WiFi settings following Material You guidelines, making it easier to interact with and access advanced options.
- NFC improvements: Apps can request the NFC controller to enter observer mode, in which the device only listens but does not respond to contactless readers, increasing security in certain applications.
- External Device Compatibility: Connect and control external displays, customize mouse pointers, and flexible peripheral management.
Performance, efficiency and autonomy improvements
In Android 15, the commitment to energy efficiency and process optimization is more present than ever:
- Faster startup, multitasking, and app loading: Internal changes speed up system startup, improve background app management, and reduce wait times when launching camera and multimedia applications.
- Reducing battery consumptionImprovements to background services and sensor management allow for extended battery life, especially on devices with large screens.
- Efficient AV1 decoder: New decoding system improves multimedia content playback, especially useful for streaming platforms like YouTube.
- Modular upgradesComponents like the PDF reader receive independent updates through Google Play, allowing for quick patches and new features without waiting for a full system update.
- Advanced process managementAndroid 15 strengthens prioritization between active and idle processes, improving fluidity and preventing crashes in high-demand situations.
Specific updates and new features for Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet
The rollout of Android 15 not only impacts Pixel phones, but also brings improvements to wearables and tablets in the Google ecosystem, enhancing their functionality and compatibility.
- Pixel Watch: Access favorite contacts via a dedicated widget, send and receive emoji reactions in Gmail, and manage notifications efficiently. It also improves camera integration.
- Pixel Tablets: Includes fast media transfer, additional smart device controls from the lock screen, clock customization, and management of linked notifications between devices.
- Advanced synchronization: When a notification is managed on one device, it automatically disappears from the rest, improving consistency and synchronization between linked devices.
Security and control for advanced users: Anti-rollback protection, flashing, and new features for developers
Android 15 introduces a bootloader hardening that prevents the installation of older versions of the system, blocking known exploits. This adds another barrier to external threats and protects advanced users who often perform manual installations of ROMs or custom versions:
- Antirollback in bootloader: Once your device has been updated, it is not possible to revert to previous installations of Android 15 or other systems to avoid old vulnerabilities.
- Full control over USB connection management: Changing the connection type requires biometric authentication, PIN, or password, preventing unauthorized changes.
- Options for development: New APIs, CTA-2075 support, WebView improvements, extended Vulkan and ANGLE support for graphics, and new burn detection tools enable a more secure and flexible development environment.
New accessibility features and tailored experience
Google has worked especially hard to improve the accessibility of the system, ensuring that Android 15 is usable for everyone:
- Adjustable contrast levels: The user can choose between different contrast levels to adapt the interface to their visual needs.
- Color correction intensity: New option to adjust the intensity of color correction, making visual perception easier for people with color blindness or other conditions.
- Audio description of images: Gemini expands the ability to describe visual content, making it easier for users with visual impairments to access.
- Recording Detection: Apps can identify if they are being recorded and act accordingly, displaying warnings or hiding sensitive information.
- Adaptive widget and notifications: Changes to the organization and display of notifications and widgets, prioritizing clarity even in situations where users are under pressure or have a lot of information at once.
The integration of accessibility features in Android 15 positions the Google Pixel as one of the most inclusive options on the market.
Flexible management of apps, PDFs and multimedia content
- Archive applications: Allows you to delete the bulk of an app while keeping your settings and personal files for quick recovery without data loss.
- Improvements in PDF handling: Native support for password-protected pages, annotations, form editing, and copying content, with separate updates to add more features in the future.
- Integrated song identification: From Google Assistant, you can identify music playing around you, in addition to the option to hum or sing to find a specific track.
- Advanced volume control: The system automatically compares the volume between different applications, avoiding sudden increases and decreases in sound.
- Screen recording improvements: You can record just one app without showing notifications or other private areas, increasing privacy when capturing tutorials or shared content.
Rollout schedule and compatible phones: When and how will I get Android 15?
The Android 15 update is rolling out in stages, starting with the Google Pixel and then rolling out to other manufacturers and devices later. For more details, see the list of models that will be updated. This guide to compatible models.
- Automatic UpdatesMost users will receive the update automatically under System > System Update. If it doesn't appear yet, just wait and check back periodically.
- CompatibilityIn addition to the latest Pixels, brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, Sony, Oppo, realme, and others have confirmed their progressive rollout of Android 15 to their flagship devices.
- Beta and QPR ChannelsAdvanced users can enroll in beta programs to test new features early or participate in QPR betas (quarterly updates) that add features before general integration.
- Manual installationFor those who prefer to install the system themselves, there are methods such as Android Flash Tool or manual flashing of official images. Caution is advised, as data will be erased if the bootloader is unlocked.
A selection of hidden features, small improvements and interesting facts that make the difference
- Recommended widgets: The system suggests widgets tailored to your personal use using AI, showing a preview of their appearance before adding them.
- Smart management of notifications and alarmsThe new notification system doesn't affect alarms or calls, ensuring that important notifications continue to sound, even if the volume of less relevant notifications is muted.
- Visual appearance for WiFi and settings: Following the Material You design with smooth transitions and menu reorganization to make options easier to find.
- Improved passkeys: : Optimized secure authentication experience, compatible with all major services.
- Cloud sync and backup: Recommendation to perform continuous backups to facilitate quick recovery in case of total device loss.
- Foldable and multitasking devicesAndroid 15 introduces improvements to take full advantage of foldable screens: dynamic taskbar, custom actions, and floating window for apps.
- Extra support on Wear OS: Downloadable offline maps and greater integration of notifications between tablet, mobile phone, and watch.
How to get the most out of Gemini and AI in Android 15
- Full Gemini Integration: Gemini not only improves audio image description, but also offers contextual search, smart suggestions, song identification, and email assistance on all Pixel devices, including Buds and tablets.
- Gemini Live: Allows you to exchange ideas, search for information, get directions, and manage tasks using voice commands, accessible to all Google Pixel users at no additional cost.
- Continuous improvements to Google Play Protect AI: Play Protect uses AI to analyze suspicious app behavior, proactively scan for malware, and alert you if it detects potential risks.
