Google releases ‘vanilla’ Android 15, but even Pixel 9 users will have to wait for weeks to get it

Today we’re releasing Android 15 to AOSP! 🎉 → https://t.co/RApXp4yH6s#Android15 brings:
🌟 Improved typography & internationalization
🌟 Productive developer experience
🌟 Camera and media improvements
🌟 Privacy and security enhancements
and more!

— Android Developers (@AndroidDev) September 3, 2024

“Today we’re releasing Android 15 and making the source code available at the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Android 15 will be available on supported Pixel devices in the coming weeks, as well as on select devices from Samsung, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi in the coming months,” writes Matthew McCullough, VP, product management, Android Developer at Google.

Google usually pushes the Android 15 update to the Pixel smartphones on the day of unveiling the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) build, but this year, the update will be hitting the Pixel 9 series and other eligible models in the next few weeks.

Android 15, the latest version of the world’s most popular smartphone operating system, brings several new features and improvements, which include a new volume control panel, partial screen sharing, full-screen apps, and also the ability to natively use your Android smartphone’s selfie camera as a webcam on a Windows laptop.

With Android 15, Google is also adding new capabilities to Circle to Search, which is currently available on select Pixel and Galaxy smartphones, and can now identify songs, similar to Apple’s Shazam. Google is also expanding earthquake alerts to more markets such as the US, and an improved screen reader, which is now powered by Gemini and can offer rich audio descriptions of images.

Brands like Samsung, Nothing, OnePlus, and more are already testing their custom builds of Android 15 such as OneUI 7, NothingOS 3, and OxygenOS 15, respectively, which are expected to roll out for their flagship offerings in the next few months. Depending on the custom skin, Android 15 features will vary from device to device.