Android 15: All the new features, smart features, and a full list of compatible phones

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Android 15 is about to usher in a new era in the mobile experience, offering significant improvements in security, privacy, smart features, and compatibility with the latest devices. With each new version, the Android ecosystem solidifies its position as a robust, secure platform that is increasingly tailored to users' needs. In this article, you'll find all the information about Android 15: its estimated release date, the most important new features, compatible phones and tablets, technical details, and how to easily update your device.

Estimated release date of Android 15

Google continues its tradition of releasing a new version of Android annually. Although there's no fixed schedule, the company typically releases the final version during the last quarter of the year, shortly after completing the beta program and releasing the AOSP version for manufacturers to work on their own custom layers.

Android 15 has followed the same roadmap: first came the Developer Preview in the first months of the year, followed by several public betas that allowed developers and advanced users to test the new features and report on possible errors or areas for improvement.

The official rollout of Android 15 always begins with recent Google Pixel devices and, in some exceptional cases, with other manufacturers who have collaborated closely on testing. Subsequently, the update is distributed to other brands such as Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, Realme, Motorola, and more, who adapt the base version with their own custom interfaces and features. High-end devices typically receive the first updates, followed progressively by mid-range and older models.

The exact timeline for each manufacturer may vary, and not all devices will be compatible, but the trend is for access to the new version to gradually expand in the months following launch.

All the new features of Android 15: a leap in functionality, security, and intelligence

Anti-theft protection and new security features

Android 15 reinforces its commitment to security with new tools designed to protect users' personal data , credentials, and finances from theft, fraud, and unauthorized access.

• AI Anti-Theft Detection: The feature identifies theft attempts using local machine learning and smart sensors, instantly locking the phone if it detects suspicious events. It provides an extra layer of protection when the device is unlocked and acts as a deterrent to thieves.
• Locking the device offline: If the device is disconnected from the internet after theft to prevent remote wiping, Android 15 forces a screen lock once a prolonged lack of connectivity is detected.
• Simplified remote locking: You can now lock your phone from any browser by simply entering a verified phone number, without having to remember your Google credentials, speeding up the response in the event of a theft or loss.
• Enhanced privacy in OTP notifications: Android 15 prevents apps with notification access from reading OTP verification messages used for secure two-step login, preventing account takeovers.
• Private space: Users can create a hidden space protected by a fingerprint, password, or PIN to store sensitive apps, private files, or any type of information they wish to keep separate from the rest of the system. This space is hidden from the launcher, recent apps list, notifications, and settings and is only accessible after additional authentication.
• Control over permissions and background processes: Greater ability to block malicious apps that seek to exploit the system or permissions, with anomalous behavior detection enhanced by artificial intelligence and Google Play Protect.
• Additional protection when modifying critical settings: Sensitive changes like disabling 'Find My Device' now require biometric verification, and after several failed attempts, the device is automatically locked as a preventative measure.
• System hardening to prevent the installation of old apps: The minimum required API level has been increased, preventing the installation of applications that do not meet the latest security standards.

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Improvements in connectivity and support for new technologies

• Native satellite connectivity: Android 15 expands communication capabilities in areas without mobile network or Wi-Fi coverage. Messaging apps can now send and receive SMS and RCS via satellite, not just in emergencies, allowing users to stay connected even in rural or hard-to-reach environments.
• Bluetooth LE and Auracast: It allows you to share your phone's audio with multiple headphones at the same time, making it ideal for listening to music or watching videos with friends, as well as broadcasting audio in public places like gyms or events, or easily sharing it with nearby devices.
• Bluetooth panel in quick settings: You can quickly manage your connection, pair new devices, or change settings without leaving the current app thanks to an advanced pop-up window.
• Automatic Bluetooth reactivation: If the user disables Bluetooth, the system can automatically re-enable it the next day to ensure the location network and other dependent functions function.
• NFC connectivity improvements: Apps can activate the NFC chip's "observation" mode, which allows them to listen for signals but not respond to them, increasing security and usability.

Innovations in productivity, personalization, and user experience

• Partial screen sharing and selective recording: It's now possible to record a single app window, rather than the entire screen, protecting the privacy of other apps and notifications that may appear during a tutorial, meeting, or home video recording.
• Split Screen Shortcuts (App Pairs): Users can create icons that open two apps at once in split-screen mode, ideal for multitasking on devices with large or foldable screens.
• New design in the volume panel: The volume control has been redesigned for greater visibility and ease of use, incorporating smoother animations and allowing you to customize the setting for each audio type (multimedia, calls, alarms, etc.).
• Reducing notification annoyances: Notifications from the same app can be muted to avoid being annoying if they occur consecutively.
• Redesign of icons and settings: The system introduces a refreshed look for the status bar icons (battery, Wi-Fi, and coverage), allowing the percentage to be displayed again on the icon, as well as a more organized settings screen.
• Improved contrast and accessibility: Android 15 allows users to adjust between different contrast levels, facilitating visual accessibility for all users.
• Lock screen widgets (for tablets and select devices): Widgets are back, allowing you to display useful information without unlocking your device. Initially available on tablets, this is expected to expand.
• Improved taskbar on tablets and foldables: You can now pin/unpin favorite apps for faster access and organize your work with multiple apps at once by saving frequent pairings of multitasking apps.
• Picture in Picture (PiP) improvements: Smoother transitions when using videos in a floating window.
• Improved predictive gestures: The back gesture now anticipates the action and allows undoing if the user notices that it is not the screen they wanted to return to.
• Better widget preview: Adding widgets displays a realistic preview of the content to make it easy to customize your home screen.
• Custom pointer navigation: Improvements to choosing the speed, style, and size of the mouse pointer, especially useful for tablets connected to peripherals.

Smart tools and new uses for the camera

• Advanced webcam mode: Android 15 allows you to use your phone as a webcam for your computer in Full HD quality (30 FPS), incorporating an "HQ" button to improve sharpness in video calls or recordings.
• Camera Extensions: Improvements to photography and video, allowing greater control over parameters such as brightness, exposure, white balance, and flash power directly from third-party apps.
• Optimized Low Light Mode: Camera performance is improved in low-light conditions, resulting in clearer, more detailed images.

Multimedia and file improvements

• Native Application Archiving: Android 15 integrates the app archiving feature, deleting most of your temporary data but preserving your settings and personal files, allowing you to restore them instantly without losing any information.
• Improved player for AV1: The system incorporates a more efficient codec for playing AV1 files, reducing battery consumption and improving audiovisual quality (ideal for streaming platforms like YouTube).
• PDF reader improvements: It now supports full-text search, annotations, form editing, password-protected pages, and content copying, and is also eligible for future improvements via Google Play System Updates.
• Virtual MIDI 2.0 support: Allows you to use your phone as a virtual MIDI instrument to create music or control professional audio devices.
• Best description of images by audio: With the help of Gemini AI, Android 15 more accurately describes what appears in an image, making it easier to access for people with visual impairments.

Performance, energy efficiency and compatibility

• Improvements "under the hood": Internal changes to memory management (WebView, multitasking, background services) reduce resource consumption and speed up both system startup and app launch.
• New battery and efficiency standards: Fine-tuning for battery life and performance, especially on devices with large screens or intensive multitasking.
• Greater compatibility with recent hardware: Android 15 requires updated versions of the Linux kernel, which helps improve security and performance over time.
• Vulkan API and ANGLE: Better graphics support, allowing apps and games to run with greater quality and stability.

Specific features for foldable devices and tablets

• Advanced transitions on foldable devices: Swipe-to-continue mode makes it easy to continue switching apps from the home screen to the secondary screen and vice versa, making the experience much more fluid and intuitive.
• Customizing app behavior: Users can choose how their apps behave when the foldable screen is opened or closed.
• Support for external displays: Resolution and rotation changes from settings when connecting an external display to supported models.
• Persistent Taskbars: They facilitate access to common apps on tablets and large-format devices.
• Advanced Desktop Mode: On tablets and convertibles, you can open and resize apps in windows, using a taskbar, bringing the Android experience closer to that of a traditional computer.

Other news of interest

• Recording and detection permissions: Apps can know when they're being recorded and adjust their behavior, such as hiding sensitive information or displaying a warning.
• Accessory Compatibility: Integration improvements for mice, keyboards, and other external accessories, with expanded customization.
• Offline maps on Wear OS watches: Download maps from Google Maps directly to your smartwatch, ideal for those who practice outdoor sports or travel offline.
• Integrated song identification: A powerful music identifier is incorporated into the "Surround to Search" feature, allowing you to instantly recognize the song playing, even if you're humming or singing along.
• Volume control with CTA-2075 standard: Automatic adjustment between apps to avoid sudden differences when switching from one to another.

Android 15: All compatible phones and devices

Android 15 will initially roll out to the latest Google Pixel devices and gradually expand to a long list of models from major brands. Compatibility depends on both the manufacturer and their commitment to support for each model range. Below is a comprehensive list of confirmed models. Please note that this list is constantly evolving and may be expanded with new announcements.

Google Pixel phones getting Android 15 update

• Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
• Google Pixel 8a
• Google Pixel Fold
• Google Pixel Tablets
• Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7a
• Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a

Samsung Galaxy phones upgradable to Android 15

• Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, S24
• Galaxy S23 Ultra, S23+, S23, S23 FE
• Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+, S22
• Galaxy S21 Ultra, S21+, S21, S21 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold 6, 5, 4, 3
• Galaxy Z Flip 6, 5, 4, 3
• Galaxy A73, A72, A55, A54, A35, A34, A33, A25, A24, A23, A15 (LTE and 5G), A14 (LTE and 5G), A05s
• Galaxy F55, F54, F34, F15
• Galaxy M55, M54, M34, M53, M33, M15
• Galaxy Xcover7
• Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, Tab S9 FE, Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9+, Tab S9, Tab S8 Ultra, Tab S8+, Tab S8
• Galaxy Tab S7 FE
• Galaxy F15, F34, F54

Compatible Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices

• Xiaomi 14 Ultra, 14 Pro, 14, 13 Ultra, 13 Pro, 13, 13T, 13T Pro, 13 Lite, 12 Pro, 12, 12 Lite, 12S, 12S Pro, 12S Ultra, 12T, 12T Pro, Civi 4 Pro, Civi 3, Civi 2, Civi 1S
• Xiaomi MIX Flip, MIX Fold 4, MIX Fold 3, MIX Fold 2
• Xiaomi Pad 6, Pad 6 Pro, Pad 6 Max 14, Pad 5 Pro, Pad 5
• Redmi Note 13 5G, Note 13 Pro, Note 13 Pro 5G, Note 13 Pro+ 5G, Note 13R, Note 13R Pro, Note 12, Note 12 Turbo, Note 12 Pro 4G, Note 12 Pro Speed, Note 12R, Note 12R Pro, Note 12T Pro, Note 12S
• Redmi 12, 12 5G, 13R, 13C, 13C 5G, Turbo 3, A3, A3x
• POCO F6, F6 Pro, F5, F5 Pro, X6, X6 Neo, X6 Pro, M6, M6 Pro, M6 Pro 5G, C65, C61, C51

Realme models that will receive Android 15

• realme GT 6, GT 6T, GT 5, GT 5 Pro, GT 5 240W, GT 3, GT 2, GT 2 Pro, GT 2 Explorer Master Edition
• realme GT Neo 6, GT Neo 6 SE, GT Neo 5, GT Neo 5 SE, GT Neo 5 240W
• realme 13, 13 4G, 13+, 13 Pro, 13 Pro+, 12, 12 4G, 12+, 12x, 12 Lite, 12 Pro, 12 Pro+, 11 4G, 11 5G, 11x 5G, 11 Pro, 11 Pro+, 10 Pro, 10 Pro+
• realme P2 Pro, P1, P1 Pro, V60, Narzo 70, 70x, 70 Pro, 70 Turbo, 60, 60x, 60 Pro, N65, N63, N61, Note 60, C67 4G, C65 4G, C65 5G, C63 5G, C63, C61

OPPO devices compatible with Android 15

• OPPO Find X7, X7 Ultra, X6, X6 Pro, X5, X5 Pro
• OPPO Find N3, N3 Flip, N2, N2 Flip
• OPPO Reno 12, 12 Pro, 12F, 12F 4G, 11, 11F, 11 Pro, 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro+, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro+, 8T, 8T 5G
• OPPO K12, K12x, K11, K11x
• OPPO F27, F27 Pro+, F25 Pro, F23
• OPPO A3, A3 4G, A3x, A3x 4G, A3 Pro, A1 Pro, A79, A60

Compatible Motorola models

• Motorola Edge 50, 50 Pro, 50 Ultra, 50 Fusion, 50 Neo, 40 Pro, 40 Neo, 40, 30 Ultra, Edge (2024), Edge+ (2023), Edge (2023)
• Razr 2024, Razr+ 2024, Razr 50 Ultra, Razr 50, Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 40
• Moto S50, S50 Neo
• Moto G85, Moto G Stylus 5G (2024), Moto X50 Ultra, Moto G64, G55, G45, G35, G04s, G Power (2024), G (2024), G24 Power, G24, G04

Other manufacturers with official or unofficial confirmation

• Nothing Phone (2a), Phone (2), Phone (1)
• Vivo X100 Pro, X90, X90s, X90 Pro, X90 Pro+, X80, X80 Pro, T3x, T3, T2, T40x, T30 Pro, Y30i, Y30e, Y30 30G, Y29 29G, Y29, Y29, Y27e, Y27, S27, S3e, S3 Pro, iQOO 2, 2 Pro, 2, 200S, 200 Pro, Neo 100 Pro, Neo 4, Neo 100, Neo 5 Pro, Neo 38, Neo 18 Pro, Neo 18 Racing, Neo 03 SE, Z18, Z18x, Z18 Turbo, Z12, Z12x, Z11, Z11x, Z11i, Z9 Pro, Z9s, Pad
• HONOR 200, 200 Pro, 200 Lite, 90, 90 Lite, Magic V2, Magic Vs, Magic 6, Magic 6 Lite, Magic 6 Pro, Magic 6 Ultimate, Magic 6 RSR, Magic 5, Magic 5 Pro, Magic 5 Ultimate, X50 GT, X50 Pro, x9b
• OnePlus 12, 12R, 11, 11R, 10 Pro, 10T, 10R, Nord 3, Nord CE 3, Nord CE 3 Lite, OnePlus Open
• Asus ROG Phone 8, 8 Pro, 7, 7 Ultimate, Zenfone 11 Ultra, Zenfone 10
• Fairphone 5, 4
• Sony Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 10 VI, Xperia 5V, Xperia 1V, Xperia 10V
• Sharp Aquos sense8
• Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G
• Nokia XR21, X30, G60, G42
• Infinix Note 40 4G, 40 5G, 40 Pro 4G, 40 Pro 5G, 40 Pro+, GT 20 Pro
• HMD Pulse, Pulse+, Pulse Pro

It's essential to check the manufacturer's official website to confirm whether a specific device will be listed and the estimated dates for each region, as arrival dates may vary by country and carrier.

How to update to Android 15

Updating to Android 15 is a simple process, as long as your device is on the list of supported models and the manufacturer has begun the official rollout for your country or region. There are several ways to access the update:

• Automatic update via OTA (Over The Air): Most users will receive a notification when Android 15 is ready to install on their device. Just go to Settings > System > System update to manually check if it is available, or check how the arrival has been announced on this guide.
• Participation in the beta program: In some cases, you can join the manufacturer's public beta programs to receive the update sooner. Please note that beta versions may contain bugs and are not recommended for everyday use.
• Manual installation: Advanced users can download the system image from the manufacturer's website and install it manually using official tools, but this will void the warranty and risk erasing data.

Tip: Before updating, always back up your data to avoid loss in case of unexpected errors during the process.

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On phones with custom skins like One UI (Samsung), MIUI/HyperOS (Xiaomi), ColorOS (OPPO), RealmeUI, and others, the updates may differ slightly, as each manufacturer adds or modifies features. It's common to see update options in menus with similar names, but they may vary by brand.

• What do I do if my phone isn't on the official Android 15 list? If your device is unconfirmed, you can still receive security updates for a while or try custom ROMs, although they are not recommended for inexperienced users.
• Will I lose my files when I update to Android 15? Generally not, but it is essential to make a backup before upgrading.
• Will Android 15's new features be identical across all brands? No. While the overall improvements remain, each manufacturer may modify the appearance, add extra features, or delay some implementations.
• Which devices will have the best experience with Android 15? Recent high-end and mid-range devices from well-known manufacturers tend to be the ones that make the most of all the features. Google's Pixels are a benchmark for fast and comprehensive updates.

• Internal name and curiosities: Android 15 is nicknamed "Vanilla Ice Cream," following Google's internal tradition of naming versions after desserts. Although only numbers have been used publicly since Android 10, the sweet names remain with developers and the community.
• API and kernel: Each release elevates the developer API (API 35 on Android 15) and imposes minimum requirements for the Linux kernel, strengthening security and stability.
• Easter Egg Refreshed: Android 15 includes an interactive Easter egg (accessible from Settings > About phone > Android version), as a tribute to geek tradition.
• Quarterly Updates (Feature Drops): After the initial release, Android receives regular updates with new features and fixes, without the need to upgrade to a major version.
• Compatibility with legacy apps: Android 15 tightens the policy and prohibits the installation of apps designed for very old versions of the system, strengthening protection against historical vulnerabilities.

Android 15 represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious releases in the history of Google's mobile operating system. Its new features not only strengthen security and privacy, but also enhance full connectivity, the integration of artificial intelligence, advanced customization, and compatibility with modern designs such as foldable phones and tablets. The update is already rolling out for numerous devices, and if your phone is among those compatible, you can expect a smoother, more secure experience that's adapted to future technological trends.

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