I’ll focus on this in a future story, however in a nutshell, I began noticing some slowdowns in my iPhone 13, which is barely three years previous at this level, which made me query how would an Android cellphone maintain up when it’s six years previous, and it has to run new, demanding options on high of previous ones?
Except for that, Samsung launched the Galaxy A16 with the loopy promise for “6 years of OS updates” – and that’s a funds cellphone, which exhibits lag just about whenever you take it out of the field.
And now comes the newest motive I’m beginning to ask myself whether or not software program updates matter as a lot as we thought they do – Android 15…
Android 15 replace on my Pixel – does it take away greater than it offers?
That being mentioned, there are some new/up to date options right here and there, and it will be unfair if I didn’t point out them. So right here’s a fast breakdown:
New Android 15 options based on Google
- Delicate notifications: Prevents malicious apps from studying one-time passwords (OTPs) – OK, I assume…
- Predictive again: Enables you to preview the outcomes of a gesture navigation earlier than committing to them – how is that even talked about as a brand new “function”?
- Digital MIDI 2.0 gadgets: Permits composition apps to regulate synthesizer apps as a digital MIDI 2.0 system – good, should you care (you most likely don’t)
- Higher display screen recorder: Consists of partial display screen recording
- Satellite tv for pc connectivity: Lets you ship and obtain messages with out cell service
- In-app digicam controls: Consists of extra controls for the digicam
- Low-light enhance: Improves the digicam’s efficiency in low gentle – allegedly
- Bluetooth pop-up dialogue: A brand new Fast Settings tile that makes it simpler to handle Bluetooth connections – no matter…
- Theft safety options: Helps hold your delicate info shielded from theft and fraud
- Non-public area for delicate apps: Lets you create a personal area for delicate apps – sounds helpful
- Multitasking capabilities: Pin and unpin taskbar – I used to be already doing that on Android 14?!
- Redesigned settings app: Features a new Dwelling Management Screensaver and Widget Button
As you possibly can see, Google has gone out of its approach to point out “options” like “previewing the app display screen when urgent the again button”, and a “new Bluetooth tile”.
General, I discover Android 15 to be nearly a complete waste of an improve, with 2-3 notable new options which might be value mentioning. It’s extra of an Android 14S replace, which may’ve simply been referred to as a Function Drop.
My $1,800 Pixel 9 Professional Fold successfully will get solely 5 main OS updates as a substitute of the promised 7 – right here’s how Google made it occur
In different phrases, my Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and different telephones with a promise of seven OS upgrades (Galaxy S24, Pixel 9) are actually successfully getting 6 as a substitute of seven main updates – as a result of I don’t see how Android 15 will be referred to as a “main replace” when it has introduced much less adjustments to my Pixel than Google’s frequent Function Drops.
However that’s not all – I additionally haven’t forgotten that the Pixel 9 collection (together with my $1,800 Pixel 9 Professional Fold) launched with Android 14 proper earlier than Android 15 got here out. This Google transfer (successfully) kills off another main replace, leaving Pixel 9 customers with 5 as a substitute of seven OS updates. For now.
Talking of Function Drops, I’ll give Google credit score for regularly including new common/AI options to Android 14 by way of quarterly updates, however this doesn’t imply they need to successfully waste Android 15 earlier than rapidly transferring on to Android 16.
Let’s hope the ineffective Android 15 model would be the final of its sort
I hope this launch schedule isn’t Google’s “new factor”, as a result of if new Android variations (particularly ones as “important” as Android 15) begin dropping each 6 months, this may successfully flip telephones with “as much as 7 years of OS updates” into telephones with 3.5 years of updates.
That being mentioned, I doubt that’s Google’s final objective, and I hope the Android 14 – 15 -16 transition is the final of its sort, and future Android variations shall be extra… significant. To say the least.
And now… let the “what about iOS” feedback start! Wink, wink.
