Google just dropped the first Android 15 Developer Preview. It’s a week later than last year’s Android 14, but Google’s been moving away from their usual monthly update schedule lately, so we might see more changes like this. It leaked earlier this week on February 15, which was supposed to be the release date for the first developer preview for Android 15. But it seems like it was delayed a day to February 16. Internally, it’s being referred to as “Android V” and “Vanilla Ice Cream.”
There aren’t many new features for users to see in Android 15 yet. This has been the trend with recent Android updates. Google usually saves most of the new user features for the first or second beta, which usually comes out during Google I/O in May. The first Android 15 developer preview is all about three key things: making privacy and security a top priority, supporting creators, and helping developers manage heat and processing power more effectively.
As always, Google is putting a big focus on privacy and security. In Android 15, they’re bringing in the latest version of Privacy Sandbox, which will beef up user privacy. They’re also adding new APIs to the FileIntegrity Manager to help protect files that could put a developer’s app at risk.
For creators, Google is introducing more extensions that give them better control over camera hardware, letting them make the most of high-end camera features. They’re also fine-tuning the OS before the official consumer release, so developers can tap into premium hardware features like powerful GPUs and AI processing. This means developers can create top-notch app experiences for their users.
Lastly, Google is beefing up the Android Dynamic Performance Framework with new features. This will help developers fine-tune thermal, CPU, and GPU management, making performance-intensive apps and games run more smoothly.
As mentioned earlier, there aren’t many new features for users to see in this developer preview. It’s mostly behind-the-scenes stuff that will help developers make your phone run even better. We’re expecting to see some user-facing features in the first beta, which is scheduled for April.
Google is planning to roll out two developer previews, followed by four betas starting in April. The final release will come after the fourth beta, sometime between August and October. This time, Google isn’t specifying a month for the “Final Release” like they have in the past.