Android 15 Release Timeline: Source code release next week, Pixel update delayed

Key Points:

1. Android 15 source code to be released on September 3, 2024.
2. Pixel devices will not receive the Android 15 update immediately.
3. Pixel update expected in October 2024, with a focus on stability.

With the recent release of Beta 4.2, Android 15 is on the brink of its official launch. While Google’s official timeline suggests a public release later this year, new information indicates that the Android 15 source code will be available next week.

Multiple sources confirm that the Android 15 source code will be released to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. This delay from the usual Monday release is due to the Labor Day holiday in the U.S., which falls on September 2.

The AOSP release allows developers and companies outside of Google’s immediate partners to access the new version, enabling them to build and modify Android 15 for their own devices. Although some of Android 15’s code is already available due to Google’s “trunk stable” project, the full release will include important build flags and feature flags that have not yet been made public.

However, it’s important to note that Pixel devices won’t receive the Android 15 update on the same day as the source code release. This year, Google’s hardware team has shifted its schedule significantly, launching four new Pixel phones earlier than usual. As a result, the Pixel 9 series did not ship with Android 15, and the update for these devices is still not ready. Sources indicate that the Pixel update might be delayed until mid-October.

Historically, Google has rolled out OTA updates for Pixel devices at the same time as the source code release, but recent years have shown a shift in this approach. The Pixel team now often withholds updates to ensure they are fully tested and stable before release.

This year’s Android 15 update appears to be following that trend, with the delay likely aimed at ensuring a more stable release. While Google has not officially confirmed the exact release date for the Pixel update, it is expected sometime in October 2024, possibly mid-month.

The Android 15 update will be available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including the latest Pixel 9 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, among others. The Android 15 QPR1 beta program is already underway, providing a glimpse of what to expect in the December 2024 Pixel Feature Drop.