For the first time, Google’s new phones aren’t launching with the latest version of Android. Instead of launching with Android 15, the Pixel 9 series will run Android 14 out of the box.
When customers unbox the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL next week, they’ll be running Android 14. Historically, Pixel phones have been used to showcase the new version of Android.
However, some features that debuted during the Android 15 Beta have been carried over to Android 14. For example, there’s a revised screenshot UI where the preview appears at the top of the new pill-shaped drawer with rounded buttons on the Pixel 9. And thanks to the benefit of experience, the new design integrates with the reminder capability in Pixel Screenshots.
Among the features that require Android 15 is the Private Space feature, as this feature requires a bigger change in the operating system. In terms of changes facing consumers, this is the biggest addition.
All the new Pixel AI features are running on Android 14. That includes Gemini Live and the new Gemini layer that floats over apps, as well as the Pixel Studio image generator. On the camera side, there’s Add me and Reimagine with.
Android 15 will come to the Pixel 9 series in a “Pixel Drop” update, which is now called Feature Drops.
This is presumably due to the fact that the first Pixel 9 phones were launched almost two months ago last year. Android 15 is currently running in beta 4.1 and is fairly stable for daily use.
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