Google isn't bringing major changes this year, but there are many great updates, especially if you use a Pixel device.
Last year’s Android update was modest by any standard. Aside from some customization options, changes to the Material You aesthetic, and regular security updates, Android 14 didn’t introduce many new features. That’s why I was excited when I installed the Android 15 beta earlier this year. Google introduced over a dozen new features, including notification cooldown, battery charging limits, and more.
However, there's one issue: many of these features are missing in the stable release. Features like the ability to limit battery charging to 80% will be included in the QPR1 update scheduled for December, and others may arrive in next year’s Android 16 release.
That said, there are still many small changes that make a difference in daily use. If you use a Pixel, you’ll immediately notice smoother animations. While recent Pixels come with 120Hz panels, the interface hasn’t been as smooth as MIUI or ColorOS, but that’s changing. After switching to the stable build of Android 15 on my Pixel 9 Pro XL, I noticed a significant improvement in fluidity.
This improvement isn’t limited to the Pixel 9 Pro XL. I found similar results on my Pixel 9 and last year’s Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. This change alone makes Android 15 much better, and you also get a suite of security updates and theft protection features that make it nearly impossible for thieves to access data on your stolen device.
While there aren’t many changes to the UI, the redesigned volume panel on Pixels is a joy to use, and Private Space is a fantastic addition. There are small tweaks throughout the interface. I used preview builds of Android 15 and tested all beta releases before switching to the stable build on my Pixel 9 Pro XL as soon as it became available. Here’s everything you need to know about what Android 15 offers and when (or if) these features will make their way to your device.
Android 15 brings much-needed fluidity to Pixels
Although I generally like the Pixel launcher, the interface has been a bit problematic. There are noticeable stutters, animations are clunky, and it just hasn’t been a great experience. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly better in this regard, but the device still doesn't measure up to other Android skins when it comes to fluidity.
That changes with Android 15. Google has improved animations, making them much smoother. Whether it's returning to the home screen, using the overview menu, switching between apps, or just navigating the app drawer, Android 15 addresses the gaps that were evident in Android 14. This is the most noticeable difference in Android 15, and it makes using Pixels much better. This improvement isn’t limited to the Pixel 9 series but extends to the Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and Pixel 7 series as well.
Other skins, like OxygenOS, still have the edge when it comes to overall fluidity, but Google has made significant strides on Pixels, and it finally feels like these devices are making full use of their 120Hz panels.
Another issue that regularly plagues Pixels is scrolling. When reading a long-form article or continuously scrolling, there's always a noticeable stutter, and thankfully, Android 15 fixes this issue. Scrolling is as smooth as general navigation, and again, this is a major change that makes a real difference in usage.
Private Space locks down your data
Most Android skins offer the ability to lock apps and sensitive data behind a password, and with Android 15, Google is introducing its own take on this feature. Called Private Space, it allows you to lock apps into a specific area that’s outside the main app drawer.
It essentially creates a sandbox, meaning you'll need to use a different Google account in this mode. Any apps within Private Space won’t show up in the app list, privacy dashboard, or permissions manager, and they can’t be transferred to a new device. You can also set up a new screen lock for accessing Private Space, and it’s accessible by navigating to the app drawer and selecting the private section.
What’s interesting about Private Space is that you can run a second instance of an app with minimal hassle. MIUI and ColorOS have nifty app cloning features, but Private Space allows you to do something similar on Pixels. If anything, it’s a better implementation since you can use any app or messaging service in this mode as per your preference.
You also get full access to the camera, and any photos or videos taken while using this mode are stored in a private space gallery and won’t appear in the regular gallery. Overall, Google has done a great job with Private Space, and if you're looking to hide sensitive data, this is an incredibly useful feature.
Android 15 offers better widget previews
Android 15 doesn’t introduce any major changes to the interface, and that’s not a bad thing. Material You has a lot going for it, and three years after its debut, it’s still notable for its bold use of colors and unique styling. I find that not everyone is a fan of the design, but it’s one of the reasons I enjoy using Pixel devices, and it’s nice to see Google not making wholesale changes.
That said, there are some small additions, starting with widget previews. When you go to the widget section, you get a live preview of the widget, giving you a better idea of how it will look on your home screen. This is a minor change, but it makes choosing the right widget a little easier.
On the topic of things that haven’t been given much attention, themed icons are still annoying to use, and three years later, this feature is still in beta. Google just hasn’t been able to deliver in this area, and it should take a look at iOS 18 to see how to get it right—my iPhone 16 Pro Max handles icon styling better than my Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Android 15 has an all-new volume panel
Google loves tinkering with volume controls on Pixels, and this time, I actually like the changes. The volume panel (accessible by selecting the three dots below the volume slider) is significantly bigger and features chunky controls, giving it a clean look. You can also see which device is being used to play audio, and like everything else, the colors change based on your selected accent tones.
Of course, there’s a good chance that this volume panel will be limited to Pixels. Other skins use their own system, and it’s unlikely they’ll adopt Google’s panel.
Android 15 delivers better haptics
Android 15 unlocks the use of haptics in new areas, which is a welcome move. The haptic motor now activates when adjusting brightness using the brightness slider or when adjusting the volume. You still get haptic feedback when using the back gesture, in the overview menu, and when typing (if you have it enabled).
You can now also choose the intensity of the haptic feedback. I love this feature in ColorOS, and it’s great to see Google bringing it to a variety of devices. Another new addition is adaptive vibration, which dynamically adjusts the intensity of the haptic motor based on your environment. You get a stronger response if your phone is in your pocket or if there’s noise around you, while there’s a gentler vibration if it’s sitting next to you on a desk.
Android 15 protects your data like never before
Google does a good job of adding security and privacy features with each new Android release, and that’s also true with Android 15. This time, there’s a focus on theft prevention, with Google introducing several features aimed at ensuring your data is inaccessible if your device gets stolen.
Remote Lock is the standout feature in this regard. If you lose your device, you can easily lock its screen with a phone number by going to android.com/lock—it’s that simple. You just need to activate the feature on your phone, which is located in the theft protection menu in device unlock settings, and verify your phone number linked to your Google account.
Obviously, your device needs to be online for this feature to work. If it’s offline, the device will lock the next time it goes online. There’s another feature called offline device lock, which locks the screen as soon as your device goes offline, and it’s automatically done to safeguard your data.
Theft detection lock Uses onboard sensors to determine if your phone has been stolen. If you're using your phone and someone snatches it and tries to run or drive away, the device automatically locks. Google is rolling out this feature on a large scale, stating that all devices running Android 10 and above should receive an update soon to enable it.
There are several other small changes designed to protect your data:
- Google is introducing improved factory reset protection, making it harder to reset your device if it gets stolen. You’ll need to verify your Google account credentials before performing a reset, which should prevent thieves from resetting the device.
- Entering multiple incorrect passwords will lock the device for a period, which most other Android skins already do.
- Any changes made to the Find My Device settings will now require a PIN, password, or biometric confirmation.
- Google will introduce an identity check feature later this year, requiring biometric verification when accessing important Google account or device details, like changing your PIN, accessing passkeys from an unknown location, or disabling theft prevention. This feature will be opt-in.
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