In the world of Technology, it is common practice for tech companies to release beta versions of their software products to test their products and get feedback on them for further development. Most of the features seen in the beta version of a software are polished and present in the final product, so we can say that a beta is a reflection of how the final product will look.
Google has just rolled out the first beta of its upcoming Android 15, and while you can view all the details of this preview in the Android developer’s diary, Price92 is here with an easy-to-read summary of all the details of these features you can expect to see in the future of Android. Released on April 11, 2024, this beta release is far more stable than the developer previews released prior and offers a better look at the upcoming features. Before we delve into the details of these new features, let’s first have a look at the release timeline of Android 15, as shared by Google.
Android 15 Release Timeline
Back in February, Google revealed the complete release timeline of Android 15 along with the first developer preview. As with the previous releases of Android, the Android 15 will have six releases before the stable and final release sometime after July 2024. Here’s the official release timeline shared by Google:
Android 15 Beta Supported Devices
Everyone is excited to try out the new Android beta, but unfortunately, it is only available for Google Pixel devices, specifically for the Pixel 6 and above models. You can try the new beta on your phone if you have one of the following devices:
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
Android 15 Beta New Features to be Excited About
The upcoming release of the new and improved Android 15 is more exciting than the release of Android 14 or 13, as Google is promising more significant changes in performance and user experience with this release. Here are some great things we’ve found in the Android 15 beta that you can expect from the full release in late 2024:
Edge-To-Edge Display
Android users who used to be annoyed by the black bar surrounding the gesture navigation bar can breathe a sigh of relief. Apps that are updated to Android 15 will have an edge-to-edge display, Giving the UI a more pretty, neat look. This feature will be especially useful for tablet users.
Better Screen Recording With More Privacy
Android is introducing some really cool privacy features with its latest version. One of the most useful of these is the new screen recording button that allows you to record a specific app. The best thing about this feature is that when you use it, your Android automatically hides all your notifications that may appear during the screen recording. Now, Android users will be able to record their screens without any fear of a breach of privacy!
Brightness Slider Vibration
Google has tried to increase user experience by adding haptic feedback to the brightness slider. Now, when you change your screen brightness using the new Android 15 beta, your phone vibrates slightly. This makes the UI feel more responsive than ever before and is also a neat showcase of the exceptional haptic motors of the Google Pixel phones.
New Notification Cooldown Feature
This is a really good feature that Android users should be very happy with. It’s a great step in the right direction for consumer accessibility. So what this feature does is that it lowers the volume of successive notifications. If you are annoyed by the constant ringing due to repeated notifications from a specific app but don’t want to turn off the notifications entirely, you can use this new feature to muffle the volume of successive notifications from that app.
The best part? You can apply this cooldown feature to only your conversation notifications so that notifications from other apps are not muffled. It’s amazing how accessible this new feature is, and we hope Android continues this trend of hyper-accessibility.
Always-Active Taskbar
This new feature is targeted toward tablets and the Pixel Fold. This feature adds a permanent taskbar at the bottom of your screen, which you can use for quick access to different apps. This feature has been present in other tablets for some time now, and it’s a welcome change that Android has adopted it as well.
Better Experience On Foldables
This feature is lifted straight from the OnePlus Open, but we are not complaining. It’s a very nifty feature that allows you to continue your apps on the cover screen of your foldable phone. With Android adopting this feature, we’ll see it becoming a norm soon, which is a great thing for foldable phone owners.
Separate Toggle For Keyboard Vibration
Google is adding a new, separate toggle for keyboard vibration. While you could turn off the keyboard vibration for individual apps before, there wasn’t a universal toggle for it. This feature is especially useful for those Android users that like to keep customizing their keyboards. Now, users won’t have to worry about turning off the vibration every time they change their keyboard app.
New & Improved Bluetooth Tile
Android 15 Beta introduces a new pop-up window for your Bluetooth connections. This is one of the most welcome additions to the new Android version. It allows users to open up a pop-up window where they can view all their paired devices and connect or disconnect any of them with a simple, convenient tap instead of having to go into the settings to connect a single device. Android users will be able to use this feature in the Android 15 beta or when the version goes for a full launch later this year.
Audio Sharing
Another amazing new feature in the upcoming release of Android is the ability to share your phone’s audio across multiple headphones. Audiophiles rejoice, no more sharing your earbuds to listen to something together. Now, users can just toggle this option on, and multiple users can connect their own compatible headphones to one phone as the audio source.
New HQ Webcam Mode
This isn’t a new feature per se, as the webcam mode was first introduced in Android 14, but it had some issues. The main one being that the video quality wasn’t really that good. Thankfully, Google listened and made some much needed improvements to this useful feature. With an HQ toggle, you can now significantly increase the video quality when you’re using your phone as a webcam.
Better Optimization For Developers
There’s big news for app developers, too. With Android 15, Google is aiming to make it easier for developers to optimize their apps for better performance. By introducing a “power efficiency mode” and new thermal thresholds, Android 15 can improve heating and throttling issues.
An Improved PDF Reader
Say goodbye to the barebones baked-in PDF reader of old Android. With Android 15 google is revamping its built-in PDF viewer. With advanced features like search, annotations, selecting and copying, the default PDF reader is not going to be the same, and it’s a welcome change.
Unlock Higher Refresh Rates
Gamers rejoice! The new Android 15 beta offers a new toggle in developer options to turn off the default frame rate for games. This allows devices that support 120Hz to fully utilize their power and provide a gaming experience that is as smooth as possible. With this update, gamers can say goodbye to the 60-frames limit.
Easy Wallet Access
Access to contactless payment options other than Goggles own has been made significantly easier. The option did exist in Android 14, but here it’s been made really easy to access. Now the options sit right under the default apps sections.
Lock Screen Widgets For Tablets
Google is bringing back lock screen widgets with Android 15 beta, but there’s a catch. It’s only for tablets. While it may sound like something to be concerned about, it’s a good thing. It shows that Google wants to bring back the feature, and it’s starting from tablets. Lock screen widgets are returning for the first time after Android 5, and it’s definitely a positive sign for the feature.
See The Future Of Android
Android 15 beta is here, and with it, our brief look into the future of this platform. The changes and improvements we’ve seen have been really exciting, but it’s the first beta, so it has a lot of issues and bugs. Users should wait until the 2nd beta, which launches in May, as Google usually implements more user-focused changes during that time. Still, if you really want to check out what all the fuss is about, give the Android 15 beta a try on your Google Pixel!
We hope this article has answered all of your questions about the Android 15 Beta features. For more information on related topics, Price92 provides resources on all things tech-related, whether it’s information about the PTA tax on phones or you want to read up on all the best phones in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest Android version?
Android 14 is the current highest version, with Android 15 ready to replace it later this year.
What does Android Beta mean?
An almost complete prototype of a software is known as a Beta. Google releases their Android beta prior to launch to check and improve new features, and it also gives users a chance to preview the upcoming changes.
When is the Android 15 Release Date?
Google has given a complete roadmap for the DP and Beta releases, but there’s still no release date for the launch version. It is expected that Android 15 will launch with a stable build sometime around August 2024.
How to Download Android 15 Beta?
You can enroll for the beta program on your Pixel on the Android website. Just follow the instructions on the developers page and you’re good to go.
