Android
List of devices that are running the Android 14 Beta
On May 10, 2023, Google expanded Android 14 Beta to select non-Pixel flagship devices from partner brands. Samsung, as always, is skipping the Android Beta Program, while the new OS is available for select devices launched by iQOO, Lenovo, Nothing, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi.
According to the roadmap, Android 14 may not get the third Beta in June 2023, along with hotfix updates. By the next month, Android’s version 14 will achieve the platform stability milestone, ensuring developers and OEMs that there won’t be major changes.
With Android 14, Google focussing on integrating Generative AI capabilities to Google Workspace services such as Messages and Gmail. The company teased a number of additions scheduled for release throughout the year, and the new OS will solidify stunning experiences.
The new OS adds an AI-powered Wallpaper feature, which will allow users to create walls through emojis as well as give a 3D effect. Most of the newly showcased features are already available for Samsung phones such as Cinematic Wallpaper is just a simple clone of Samsung’s Wonderland.
Moreover, the company revealed that it’s taking customization to the next level with the arrival of Android 14 later this year. There will be more new customization capabilities such as custom shortcuts and clock styles along with a new monochrome color theme.
Apart from this, there’s a lot in Google’s pipeline for the Android OS. It’s expected that the company may see the new version of AOSP by late July, meanwhile, the One UI 6 Beta is likely to begin this year early than the One UI 5 as Samsung is already testing it on Galaxy S23 internally.
These devices are running Android 14 Beta
- Pixel 4a 5G > Pixel 7 Pro
Lenovo
- Tab Extreme
Oppo
- Find N2 Flip
OnePlus
- OnePlus 11
Xiaomi
- Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro
- Xiaomi 12T
Realme
- Realme GT 2 Pro
Vivo
- Vivo X90 Pro
iQOO
- iQOO 11
Tecno
- CAMON 20 Series
Nothing
- Phone (1)
Android
Android 15 upgrades with battery-saver adaptive refresh rate feature
Android 15 introduces an adaptive refresh rate (ARR) feature, which allows your phone’s screen to automatically adjust its refresh rate based on the content you’re viewing. This means the screen can lower its refresh rate when you don’t need high refresh rates, saving battery and reducing lag.
Previously, Android could only switch between fixed refresh rates like 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz. This switch worked for most situations but it wasn’t as efficient as ARR, which can make the display work at the most appropriate rate without needing to switch between different modes.
Android 15 now lets the display change the refresh rate within a single adaptive mode to make it smoother and more efficient. The ARR feature reduces power consumption and eliminates jank caused by mode switching.
This feature is especially useful for phones with high refresh-rate screens, like those with LTPO displays. These displays could save battery by lowering the refresh rate but Android still relied on switching between fixed modes.
However, not every phone will get this feature. To support ARR, devices must have the latest version of Android’s display software (HWC HAL version 3), which some older phones don’t have. Smartphones like the Google Pixel 7 and those with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip already support this feature, but older models likely won’t.
When it works, ARR could help fix issues like phones sticking to 60Hz even when watching films at 30Hz or 24Hz. Despite smoother video and less power consumption, it won’t give Android the same level of variable refresh rate support that PC-like VRR experience.
Samsung Galaxy S25 to stick with Snapdragon 8 Elite despite Exynos 2500 benchmark
Android
Android steals handy battery saving feature from One UI
Android adopting Samsung’s One UI-like battery-saving feature. Pixel smartphone users receiving a new battery feature with the November 2024 update. It aims to extend the total lifespan of their smartphone batteries.
AndroidAuthority spotted that Google’s November 2024 update brings a handy battery-saving feature to Android 15. Similar to Maximum Battery protection in One UI, the new feature only charges your Android phone to 80% each cycle.
Smartphones usually use a lithium-ion battery that prefers to stop charging at 80%. Users commonly charge their device up to a full 100%, but going to 100% every time will eventually erode the battery’s capacity.
It’s interesting to see Pixel users waiting for a feature that stops their phone from charging beyond 80%. However, it’s worth enabling as the overall lifespan of your phone’s battery will increase as the charging will stop at 80% itself.
Notably, Google hasn’t yet opened a broader rollout of the new battery-saving tool. Some Pixel users confirmed the deployment, while some haven’t yet received it. It seems the rollout would take a bit longer than usual to expand globally.
Battery protection features in One UI 6:
Samsung’s latest One UI 6.1 brings three battery protection features. These functions help Galaxy users extend their phone’s battery life. You may have less juice on the battery, but it’s a beneficial deal for the long term.
- Basic:
- Whenever your battery is charged to 100%, charging will automatically stop until the battery level drops down to 95% before it starts charging again.
- Adaptive:
- Your device will switch to ‘Maximum’ mode while you’re asleep and back to ‘Basic’ mode before you wake up. Your Sleep time is estimated based on your phone usage patterns.
- Maximum:
- Your battery will stop charging when it reaches 80%.
Android
November 2024 Android 15 security update starts rolling out
We are in November 2024, Google has started rolling out the first monthly software update based on Android 15. It brings some important fixes and improvements to Pixel devices. It is available for Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7A, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold.
The November 2024 Android 15 software update arrives with enhancements for Bluetooth, the camera, display graphics, and user interface performance to provide a better experience.
Moreover, this update includes the latest November 2024 security patch, which provides users with important protections for their devices. Devices from the Pixel 6 through Pixel 8a will receive software version AP3A.241105.007, while the Pixel 9 series will get version AP3A.241105.008.
The update is rolling out gradually, so it may take some hours to days to reach all models. Users of Pixel devices can check manually by visiting Settings >> System >> Software updates.
WHAT’S NEW
You can check the full changelog below:
The November 2024 update includes bug fixes and improvements for Pixel users – see below for details
Bluetooth
- Fix for issue with Bluetooth range under certain conditions*[3]
Camera
- Fix for issue observing camera tilt when zooming between cameras under certain conditions [Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold]
Display & Graphics
- Fix for issue causing white dots to flash under certain conditions [Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold]
- Fix for issue with screen brightness flickering under certain conditions[Pixel 8a]
Sensors
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing Adaptive brightness from activating in certain conditions[Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold]
Touch
- Fix for issue in pressing the keyboard dismiss button in certain conditions [Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold]
User Interface
- General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations [Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold]