Although Android 15 , codenamed "Vanilla Ice Cream," is still a while away from a full release, the first preview and beta versions can give a glimpse of Google's upcoming Android update.

Release Timeline

The first developer build of Android 15 is already out, albeit in early form, with a manual download option for the Google Pixel 6 and newer models. A public beta is expected in April, with a full release later this year, likely between August and October.

Device compatibility

As usual, Pixel phones will be the first to receive the preview and beta versions, and then the final update. In addition to Pixel devices, many other manufacturers have committed to updating their models to Android 15.

Expected features

1. Battery Level Indicator: Android 15 may introduce a battery level indicator feature, similar to iOS, that will show the percentage change in battery level, helping users more accurately assess the battery health of their device.
2. Lock screen widgets: There are hints of the return of lock screen widgets that can be accessed through the lock screen share space. However, this feature may have limited support for devices and apps at first.
3. Private Space: Android 15 may see a native version of Samsung's Secure Folders feature called Private Space, which will allow users to hide sensitive apps and data in a separate secure area on their devices.
4. Bluetooth Auracast: Android 15 may see support for Bluetooth Auracast, which allows users to share audio with other users via Bluetooth, potentially allowing multiple Bluetooth devices to connect to a single audio stream.
5. Easy Mode: There may be a "Default Easy Mode" setting that will improve Android's user interface by enlarging icons, increasing contrast, and adding navigation buttons to improve readability and ease of use.
6. App archiving: Android 15 may introduce a manual app archiving feature that will allow users to select and archive apps to free up memory space without deleting them completely, potentially improving device performance.
7. Saved app pairs: The feature to save pairs of frequently used apps for automatic screen sharing may be enabled, making multitasking easier for frequent users.

While these features are expected, it's important to note that some of them may undergo changes or may not make it into the final release. Nevertheless, they give a glimpse of the potential innovations that Android 15 could bring to users.