Android 15 for Google Pixel phones and Motorola Edge is here
The time has finally come – the global rollout for Android 15 has started and, as usual, Google’s own Pixel phones are the first to receive the major update. All models from the Pixel 6 series onwards are supported. Google has also published an official blog post on the Android 15 update, detailing the most important features of the latest Android version.
Android 15 is coming to the following devices:
- Google Pixel 6
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Google Pixel 6a
- Google Pixel 7
- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 7a
- Google Pixel Tablet
- Google Pixel Fold
- Google Pixel 8
- Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Google Pixel 8a
- Google Pixel 9
- Google Pixel 9 Pro
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Android 15 features
The private space allows you to lock sensitive apps behind an additional layer of authentication. When enabled, apps in the private space are separated from the rest of your apps and are not visible in the app drawer, recent apps, notifications, and settings.
Android 15 is also getting optimizations for tablets and foldables with the ability to pin your taskbar so you can quickly access your most used apps and app pairs. You can also easily unpin the taskbar using the same toggle.
Theft detection lock is another new security feature that is also available on most devices running Android 10 and above. This feature automatically locks your phone and prevents your personal data from being leaked if your device is stolen. It works by leveraging your device’s sensors and AI to detect movements associated with theft, such as sudden swipes and running.
Remote Lock is a companion feature that lets you lock your phone from another device using your phone number, even when Find My Devices is turned off.
In addition to the Android 15 launch, Google also announced its Pixel feature drop in October. It includes the Google Gemini hands-free feature for the Pixel Buds Pro, Pro 2, and Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds.
Starting with the Google Pixel 8, the upgrade brings improved Night Sight and Astrophotography modes, as well as underwater photography and video recording modes. Audio Magic Eraser helps isolate noise during video recording, the Pixel Weather app gets a pollen tracker, and the Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 Pro now supports the camera viewfinder.
Android 15 beta for first Motorola smartphones is here
And there are already the first success stories: The crown for the fastest updates goes to Motorola this year. To be honest, we rarely think of “fastest updates in the industry” at Motorola. The company has been slow to update to new Android versions in recent years. However, most models in the current Motorola Edge 50 series will not only receive important operating system updates for 5 years, but will apparently not have to wait too long for them either.
Motorola is already making the beta version of Android 15 available to some Motorola Edge 50 Fusion models. However, the beta should also affect other Edge 50 devices, such as the Edge 50 Ultra. This means Motorola is overtaking some of the bigger names in the industry. This includes Samsung, whose beta testing program has not even started yet. In fact, the final version of One UI 7 and Android 15 is not due to arrive until early next year.
Since Motorola is already testing its beta software publicly, one would expect stable Android 15 to be available by the end of this year. Of course, it all depends on how smoothly the testing phase goes and how quickly Motorola can fix the problems. We therefore advise against installing the beta on your primary device, as it may still contain various errors.
