Android 15 Rolling Out to Pixel Phones; Brings Theft Detection Lock, Private Space and More
On foldable devices, Android 15 will allow users to pin or unpin the taskbar on the screen for easy access.
by Shaurya Tomer, Siddharth Suvarna · Gadgets 360Highlights
- Google is rolling out Android 15 update to Pixel smartphones
- It brings features like Private Space and single-tap login for Passkeys
- Foldable smartphone users will be able to pin the taskbar on home screen
Android 15 rollout has commenced for Pixel devices, Google announced on Tuesday. The latest operating system (OS) was globally released on September 3. Google has detailed the features of the update on Pixel devices, including security measures like Theft Detection Lock and privacy-centric additions such as Private Space. Furthermore, Android 15 also includes exclusive functionality for foldable smartphones and devices along with improvements for the camera and authentication.
Android 15 Features
In a blog post, Google highlighted the features arriving on Pixel smartphones with the Android 15 update, including a feature dubbed Theft Detection Lock. It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to sense if the device has been snatched or stolen and lock it automatically. Alternatively, users can take advantage of the existing Remote Lock functionality to manually lock the handset using the mobile number.
The Mountain View-based tech giant is also making it more difficult for malicious actors to access the device settings, courtesy of added authentication requirements for actions like removing SIM or turning off Find My Device. If multiple failed attempts are detected, the device will automatically be locked.
Google also emphasised on privacy with the already-previewed Private Space feature — private space for users to store their private information. Users will be able to add another layer of authentication to this space or choose to hide it entirely from the view.
For foldable devices like the new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Android 15 will allow users to pin or unpin the taskbar on the screen for easy access. They can customise the layout of the page and keep frequently used apps within quick reach. The update's App Pairing feature is claimed to make multitasking easier by enabling sharing of files using drag and drop. Users can also save their most frequently used app combinations and they will appear as a single app icon on the home screen.
Android 15 also includes other changes on Pixel devices such as improved controls in the camera app during low-light conditions, more precise control in third-party camera apps, single-tap login in apps using Passkeys for authentication, and the ability to use satellite communication in third-party apps without Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Eligible Google Pixel Models
Several Pixel smartphones, ranging from the latest Pixel 9 series to the Pixel 6 series, are expected to get the upgrade to Android 15. Google says the following Pixel smartphones are eligible to receive the over-the-air (OTA) update:
- Google Pixel 9 Series
- Google Pixel Fold
- Google Pixel 8 Series
- Google Pixel 7 Series
- Google Pixel 6 Series
- Google Pixel Tablet
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
REVIEW
- Design: 10 / 10
- Display: 9 / 10
- Software: 9 / 10
- Performance: 8 / 10
- Battery Life: 8 / 10
- Camera: 7 / 10
- Value for Money: 7 / 10
Good
- Slim and premium IPX8-rated design
- Bloatware-free software
- 7 years of software and security updates
- Tons of AI features to fiddle with
- Secure face unlock
Bad
- A bit heavy even for a foldable
- UI stutters randomly
- Average cameras
- Only 256GB storage variant
Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
KEY SPECS
Display (Primary)
8.00-inch
Processor
Google Tensor G4
Front Camera
10-megapixel + 10-megapixel
Rear Camera
48-megapixel + 10.5-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel
RAM
16GB
Storage
256GB
Battery Capacity
4650mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
2152x2076 pixels
Google Pixel 9
REVIEW
- Design: 9 / 10
- Display: 9 / 10
- Software: 9 / 10
- Performance: 7 / 10
- Battery Life: 8 / 10
- Camera: 9 / 10
- Value for Money: 8 / 10
Good
- Flagship build and design
- Excellent display
- Great cameras
- Good battery life
- AI features are fun
Bad
- Processor is still not great
- Heats up
- No longer compact
Read detailed Google Pixel 9 review
KEY SPECS
Display
6.30-inch
Front Camera
10.5-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 48-megapixel
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB
Battery Capacity
4700mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
1080x2424 pixels
Google Pixel Fold
KEY SPECS
Display (Primary)
7.60-inch
Processor
Google Tensor G2
Front Camera
9.5-megapixel + 8-megapixel
Rear Camera
48-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB
Battery Capacity
4821mAh
OS
Android 13
Resolution
2208x1840 pixels
Google Pixel 8
REVIEW
- Design: 8 / 10
- Display: 9 / 10
- Software: 8 / 10
- Performance: 7 / 10
- Battery Life: 7 / 10
- Camera: 9 / 10
- Value for Money: 8 / 10
Good
- Smaller form factor makes it more comfortable to hold
- Excellent and bright display
- Cameras are still the best
- Packed with AI features
Bad
- Battery life is still not the best
- Expensive
- Tends to heat up under heavy load
Read detailed Google Pixel 8 review
KEY SPECS
Display
6.20-inch
Processor
Google Tensor G3
Front Camera
11-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 12-megapixel
RAM
8GB
Storage
128GB, 256GB
Battery Capacity
4575mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
1080x2400 pixels
Google Pixel 7
REVIEW
- Design: 8 / 10
- Display: 9 / 10
- Software: 10 / 10
- Performance: 9 / 10
- Battery Life: 9 / 10
- Camera: 9 / 10
- Value for Money: 9 / 10
Good
- Sharp, 90Hz display
- Good quality cameras
- Good gaming performance
- Bloatware-free software, timely updates
- Good battery life
- IP68 rating
Bad
- Video recording could be better
- Gets warm under load
- No bundled charger
- Relatively slow charging
Read detailed Google Pixel 7 review
KEY SPECS
Display
6.30-inch
Processor
Google Tensor G2
Front Camera
10.8-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 12-megapixel
RAM
8GB
Storage
128GB
OS
Android 13
Resolution
1080x2400 pixels
Google Pixel 6
KEY SPECS
Display
6.40-inch
Processor
Google Tensor
Front Camera
8-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 12-megapixel
RAM
8GB
Storage
128GB, 256GB
Battery Capacity
4614mAh
OS
Android 12
Resolution
1080x2400 pixels
Google Pixel Tablet
KEY SPECS
Display
10.95-inch
Processor
Google Tensor G2, Titan M2 security coprocessor
Front Camera
8-megapixel
Resolution
2560x1600 pixels
RAM
8GB
OS
Android 13
Storage
128GB
Rear Camera
8-megapixel