Google has officially dropped the first developer preview of Android 15. It’s currently available for the Google Pixel 8, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 series devices. You can also download it for the Google Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold. Don’t own an eligible Pixel device? In that case, you can use Android Emulator in the Android Studio and use 64-bit system images.
But what about the stable release? When is Android 15 expected to reach its stable state? Well, Google has shared the tentative timeline (source), which is very similar to the timeline of Android 14 and Android 13.
Android 15 Expected to Reach Platform Stability Around July
As you can see from the launch timeline image attached below, the release schedule of Android 15 matches what we saw for Android 14 last year. The first developer preview is already available. As for the second one, it will drop sometime between March and April. This is when you can flash it as a beta version.
After Google drops a couple of beta updates, the OS will reach “Platform Stability.” Here, Platform Stability is a milestone that helps developers plan their final testing and releases. While this suggests that the final release will be sometime after July, Google didn’t mention a specific month. But it’s likely that the stable version will make its debut with the launch of the Pixel 9 series. Wondering when that might be?
Google holds the Pixel launch event in October. This has been the timeline for all the past Pixel devices. And we generally see the stable launch of Android with this launch event. For example, Android 14 rolled out on the same day as the Pixel 8 series.
That said, it’s natural to see Pixel phones getting the Android 15 release first. But you can expect to see Samsung, Xiaomi, and other smartphone manufacturers announcing the availability details for their devices soon.
New Features on Android 15 Developer Preview 1
As mentioned above, Google has already launched the first developer preview of Android 15. If you’ve missed our original coverage on it, here’s a quick rundown of the new features:
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File Integrity Manager
This Android 15 feature uses the fs-verity feature to protect important files. It does that with cryptographic signatures. All this makes sure that attackers can’t tamper with the files.
Privacy Sandbox on Preview 1
This replaces third-party cookies with a more privacy-conscious approach to targeted advertising.
Partial Screen Sharing
Users on Android 15 can now share or record a specific app window rather than the entire screen.
Enhanced Camera Tools on Android 15 Preview 1
Developers on Android 15 have fine-grained control over many camera elements. That includes brightness, flash, and other camera features. All these features were only available to the default apps before.
Virtual MIDI 2.0 Support
Music composition apps on the new Android version can interface with software synths running on the device.
Platform Stability and Notification Cooldown on Preview 1
This first preview marks a milestone with finalized APIs and behaviors. It allows app developers to start compatibility testing. Android 15 also reduces notification volume for overly chatty apps.
Touch Sensitivity Control and Centralized Health Hub
Fine-tune screen sensitivity for improved touch response. Android 15 also lets you track workouts, sleep, and heart rate in one place.
Updated Launcher Padding and Accessibility Improvements
The new Android version has refined spacing for a cleaner look. It also has a screen reader navigation and TalkBack features.
What You Should Know Before Installing Android 15 Preview 1
This is a preview, and features may change, or Google may remove them before the final release. Stability and bug-free operation can’t be guaranteed in this early stage. So, if you’re planning to install the Android 15 Preview 1, be ready to face many issues.
