Android 15 Brings True Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Support

Most modern Android smartphones, including mid-range and flagship devices, come equipped with high-refresh-rate displays. These screens often operate at fixed rates like 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz. Even some budget phones now feature refresh rates above the standard 60Hz. However, while many phones boast this feature, they lack true variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. Despite manufacturers marketing VRR support through LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) displays, Android itself didn’t fully support VRR until the release of Android 15.

What Is Adaptive Refresh Rate in Android 15?

With Android 15, Google has introduced Adaptive Refresh Rate (ARR), a form of VRR, directly into the operating system. Previously, Android could switch between different fixed refresh rates like 60Hz and 90Hz based on the display mode. However, this was not a true adaptive system. The operating system would switch modes based on content but couldn’t seamlessly adjust refresh rates within a single mode.

In Android 15, ARR dynamically adjusts the refresh rate according to the content’s frame rate without needing to change display modes. This ensures a smoother user experience by adapting the screen refresh rate on the fly, whether you’re watching a video or playing a game.

Benefits of True Variable Refresh Rate in Android 15

Google highlights two main benefits of the ARR feature in Android 15:

1. Power Efficiency: By allowing the display to operate at lower refresh rates when high refresh rates aren’t necessary, the device consumes less power. It ramps up the refresh rate only when the content requires it, reducing unnecessary battery drain.
2. Improved Performance: Since ARR eliminates the need to switch between different display modes, it reduces potential “jank” or stuttering issues that occur during mode transitions, offering a smoother visual experience.

Why Wasn’t True VRR Supported Before?

Although smartphone manufacturers have promoted variable refresh rate features with LTPO displays, these implementations were limited. LTPO displays allowed for a broader range of refresh rates, from as low as 1Hz or 10Hz up to 120Hz. However, this was achieved by toggling between fixed display modes rather than dynamically adjusting within a single mode.

For example, on many Android devices with LTPO OLED panels, the refresh rate could drop to 10Hz during static content like reading, then jump to 120Hz during gaming. However, these changes were still tied to pre-defined modes and didn’t dynamically adapt based on real-time content needs, unlike true VRR seen in PC gaming monitors.

Technical Advancements in Android 15

In previous Android versions, some OEMs tried to implement VRR-like features at the kernel level. However, this approach required custom logic for each device, making it difficult to standardize due to Android’s Generic Kernel Image (GKI) requirements. The kernel, responsible for managing hardware, lacked deep insights into the content being displayed, limiting its ability to adjust the refresh rate effectively.

Android 15 addresses this by implementing VRR at the Hardware Composer (HWC) HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) level, specifically with the introduction of version 3 of HWC HAL APIs. This allows the operating system to make more informed decisions about when to adjust the refresh rate based on the content displayed. It offers a unified method for OEMs to implement adaptive refresh rates without needing complex customizations at the kernel level.

Device Compatibility and Challenges

While Android 15 introduces true VRR support, not all devices will be able to use it right away. For a phone to take advantage of this feature, it must have support for the updated HWC HAL version 3. Currently, devices like the Google Pixel 7 and newer models, as well as those powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, have this version. However, older devices, including the Google Pixel 6 series and phones using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, do not support the necessary HAL version.

Additionally, even if a device receives an update to Android 15, it may not support ARR due to hardware limitations or the effects of Google’s Requirements Freeze (GRF) program. This program prevents mandatory hardware changes in updated devices, so phones designed before the release of HWC HAL version 3 may not fully support Android 15’s adaptive refresh rate features.

Future Impact and Expectations

If Android 15’s adaptive refresh rate feature is widely adopted, it could lead to better performance and battery efficiency in everyday use. For instance, it may help devices reduce the refresh rate to 30Hz or 24Hz when playing films, rather than defaulting to 60Hz, which could conserve battery life.

However, it’s important to note that Android 15’s implementation is not the same as the true VRR seen in gaming PCs, where the refresh rate matches the frame rate of the game. Instead, Google’s documentation indicates that the adaptive refresh rate in Android 15 only supports rates that are divisors of the display’s native refresh rate to prevent tearing effects.

This means that while Android 15’s ARR feature offers significant improvements, it may not provide full synchronization between game frame rates and display refresh rates, as seen in PC monitors with NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync.

Looking Forward

As more details emerge and updates roll out, it will be interesting to see which existing devices fully adopt Android 15’s adaptive refresh rate capabilities. Google’s future Pixel devices are likely candidates for early adoption, but broader support will depend on how quickly OEMs implement the necessary hardware and software changes.

In conclusion, Android 15 marks a significant step forward in providing true VRR support at the operating system level. While the feature is promising, its real-world impact will depend on device compatibility and OEM adoption. Users can look forward to a smoother experience and potentially better battery life, making it a long-overdue but welcome addition to the Android ecosystem.

Introduction: The November security update for Android 15 is now rolling out to Google Pixel devices, addressing multiple performance, security, and functionality issues. This update covers the Pixel 6 series up to the latest Pixel 9 series, with tailored fixes to enhance user experience and ensure device security. Released mid-week, the patch fixes 44 security vulnerabilities across the Android system, with improvements particularly focused on Bluetooth, display, camera functionality, and user interface transitions.

What’s Included in the November Security Patch:

1. Security Enhancements:
   • Vulnerability Fixes: Android 15 November patch addresses 21 security vulnerabilities dated 2024-11-01 and 23 dated 2024-11-05, classified as high to critical. Some high-risk vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-43047 (Kernel) and CVE-2024-43093 (Elevation of privilege) had the potential for limited exploitation, making these fixes vital for device protection.
   • Device-Specific Fixes: Google has also listed three additional security improvements specifically for its Pixel line, aiming to enhance device stability and security.
2. Firmware and OTA Availability:
   • The patch can be downloaded as factory images or OTA (Over-the-Air) updates, with sizes varying depending on the device. For instance, the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s update is around 57.35 MB.

Device-Specific Improvements:

• Global Updates Across Models (AP3A.241105.007 and AP3A.241105.008): Devices covered include Pixel models from 6 up to 9, with distinctions for certain issues on the newer Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Key Fixes by Device Functionality:

1. Bluetooth Connectivity:
   • Improved Bluetooth range stability, particularly on Pixel 9 models under various conditions, ensuring more reliable connectivity.
2. Camera Stability:
   • Fixes camera tilt when switching between different zoom levels on the Pixel 9 series, enhancing camera stability and reducing unintentional shifts.
3. Display and Brightness:
   • Resolved a flickering issue affecting screen brightness on the Pixel 8a and flashing white dots observed on the Pixel 9 series under certain conditions.
   • Adaptive brightness issues, which occasionally prevented automatic adjustments, are now resolved for the Pixel 9 series.
4. Touch Sensitivity:
   • The patch improves responsiveness for touch interactions on the Pixel 9 models, addressing difficulties in dismissing the keyboard in some cases.
5. User Interface (UI) Enhancements:
   • This patch provides smoother transitions and animations across various Pixel devices, enhancing the fluidity and performance of the user interface.

How to Get the Update:

• To install the November update, users can check their device’s system settings under System > System Update. It is recommended to back up any essential data and ensure that the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before beginning the update process.

Conclusion: The November Android 15 update not only reinforces device security with critical patches but also delivers tailored fixes for Bluetooth, display, camera, and other functional areas, particularly benefiting the latest Pixel 9 series. This rollout continues Google’s commitment to improving user experience and safeguarding devices against vulnerabilities, ensuring Pixel devices remain secure and optimized for day-to-day use.

Google’s latest software update for Pixel devices hasn’t rolled out yet, but Verizon has shared a preview of what’s expected in the November 2024 release, with a significant focus on improving the Pixel 9 series. The update was initially scheduled for November 5, 2024, but Google has not yet made an official announcement. This delay follows last month’s release of Android 15.

Key Updates for Pixel 9 Series

This November update (version AP3A.241105.008) offers a set of targeted improvements and bug fixes, particularly for the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold models:

1. Security Enhancements: The latest Android security patches are included to ensure device protection.
2. Bluetooth Connectivity: Fixes an issue affecting Bluetooth range under specific conditions, improving connectivity stability.
3. Camera Improvements: Addresses a problem with the camera tilting when zooming, helping users capture stable images across zoom ranges.
4. Sensor Adjustment: Fixes an issue where Adaptive Brightness sometimes failed to activate in certain environments, enhancing visual comfort.
5. Touch Sensitivity: Resolves a problem with the keyboard dismiss button, improving response and usability.
6. User Interface Stability: Enhances the smoothness of UI transitions and animations, providing a more seamless user experience.
7. Display & Graphics: Resolves a display issue where white dots could flash unexpectedly, ensuring a cleaner visual experience.

Minor Updates for Pixel 6, 7, and 8 Series

For Pixel 6, 7, and 8 users, the update is smaller (version AP3A.241105.007), primarily including:

• Security Patches: The latest Android security patches.
• Performance and Stability: General improvements for smoother UI transitions and animations.

With these updates, Google aims to enhance device performance, security, and user experience.