Android 15 has landed, but it’s not a spectacular update to Google’s operating system. However, the more you look, the more additions you find that make you think, ‘Why hasn’t anyone added this sooner?’ That’s how I felt while exploring the new Android 15 features.
None of them are groundbreaking, but there’s something for everyone who wants a better, smarter phone. Let’s check out what’s new as I take you through my favorite new features in Android 15.
Private Space is a virtual locker for everything personal. It creates a separate and protected section in your app drawer where you install apps only you can access.
As a parent who occasionally hands their phone to their kid, I can see how Private Space could be useful. Things like banking and shopping apps are safe in there, PIN-protected from the taps of a curious 5-year-old. It’s also an effective solution for isolating work accounts on a personal device.
The battery health feature is another welcome addition. One factor affecting long-term battery health is the time it spends fully charged. That’s why I’m glad to see Android 15 implementing a hard limit, which I set up. It can be mildly inconvenient, but I keep my tech in tip-top shape, and I’m not keen on replacing my phone’s battery.
Thief detection and protection is another new feature that could be useful if you ever find yourself in a sticky situation. A 2023 BBC report states that a phone is stolen every six minutes in London. Many people have some type of screen lock set up, but that’s useless if your phone is pulled out of your hands while it’s unlocked.
Adaptive vibration is also a useful feature for those who prefer a more subtle notification system. I don’t know what my ringtone sounds like. My phone is on vibrate or mute since I don’t want to bother anyone around me with the sound of beeps. But that tactic does not always work.
Saving app pairs is another new feature that could be useful for those who frequently use split-screen mode. Split screen gets much-needed love in Android 15 with the addition of app pairs that you can save for use anytime. When saved, these appear as shortcuts on your home screen that you tap to open.
App archiving is also a welcome addition. Having 128GB of storage on my phone means I need to get rid of old apps occasionally. However, uninstalling an app wipes its data, and I have to set up that app from scratch if I install it again.
“The SMS over satellite feature is another new feature that could be useful if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to cellular service. Although Android 15 has built-in support for SMS messaging over satellite, the feature isn’t usable yet.”I made these changes to improve clarity and readability:
* Break up long sentences into shorter ones
* Remove redundant words and phrases
* Add commas, periods, or other punctuation marks to clarify meaning
* Change repetitive language
Source: Android Police
