Android 15: the 10 best new features

The next version of Google’s mobile operating system is not far away.

Android 15 is expected to be shown off at the upcoming Google I/O event in May, before likely debuting alongside the Pixel 9 series later this year.

However, a public beta of Android 15 is now live and Google has already announced several new features to developers.

While Android 15 will likely be a minor refresh rather than an overhaul, there are still 10 new features worth getting excited about.

1. Satellite messages

Apple recently introduced the ability for some iPhones to use a satellite uplink to make emergency calls in a remote area without network coverage.

While this feature won’t be coming to Android 15, the ability to send messages (SMS and MMS) via satellite will.

This is great if you’re the adventurous type or spend time going off the grid but still want to stay safe. However, it’s uncertain at this point whether you’ll need some hardware built into your phone, so we’ll have to wait and see how the service will work.

2. Faster NFC payments

Google is adding more code to the NFC payment portion of Android 15, which should make the process faster and more convenient. It appears that your phone is communicating with the other NFC device, but won’t respond until you tap the screen to confirm a payment. Small change, but perhaps one that you use a lot.

3. Easier to choose an alternative to Google Pay

Android 14 already lets you select your bank’s contactless payment app (if it has one) as the default Wallet instead of Google Pay, but the setting can be tricky to figure out.

This was adjusted in the first Beta release of Android 15, making it a lot easier. The setting is now in the Default Apps section instead of hidden in the NFC section.

4. Share an app screen

You can now share just the app you’re using, instead of the entire screen.

We saw this make its debut on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro in late 2023. But in Android 15, it should be a feature available to all devices.

5. Improved PDF viewing and editing

Google has been working hard to improve the display and handling of PDFs in the built-in PDF reader.

This should mean that not only will documents render faster, but you’ll also be able to use features like annotations, form editing, and password protection natively in Android 15.

6. Better camera performance

The beta versions of Android 15 come with some subtle upgrades to the cameras.

One of these is ‘Low Light Boost’, a new automatic exposure feature that should provide better examples of what a night shot will look like. There are also more detailed flash controls to fine-tune flash brightness and prevent whiteouts.

Martijn Casserly

Martijn Casserly

Martijn Casserly

7. Audio equalization

Another new feature is ‘Loudness Control’, a system-wide option that monitors and adjusts the volumes of the media you use so that they are all approximately the same volume.

The idea is that you don’t listen to a silent recording of something, then accidentally open YouTube and get numbed by an ad.

8. Cooling-off period for notifications

If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by constant notifications lighting up your phone, Android 15’s Cooldown feature will give you a welcome break.

The setting prevents the same app from giving you one warning after another. If an app sends you a lot of notifications in a short time, the latter will be disabled by default.

9. Screen recording detection

Security improvements are always welcome, and this new system activity monitoring is a good one.

Android 15 allows apps to detect if the screen is being recorded while they are in use. This should prevent sensitive data from being viewed and captured on video accidentally or via malware.

10. New Health Connect app

The Health Connect app was a beta test running with Android 14, but Google could bring it as an actual system app in Android 15. As the name suggests, this aims to allow users to get health, nutrition and fitness data from various third-party apps in one place.

These are the 10 most interesting new features, but they are not the only ones that have been confirmed. Android 15 will be able to more easily distinguish between SDR and HDR images, support virtual Midi 2.0 devices and better recognize multiple languages ​​at the same time. You can also expect the usual refinements in terms of overall performance and battery life.

Google may also reserve some of the more exciting features for its I/O keynote, so it’s worth capitalizing on that.

Do you want to buy a new device that is ready for Android 15? All top Android phones will get the update, although it will look different depending on which company you choose.