Recommending the update to Android 15 depends a lot on the mobile manufacturer. The layers of customization hide certain elements that can only be enjoyed through the lighter ones, one of the reasons why I recommend a Google Pixel. Since I updated my Pixel to the latest version, There is a change that brings a grain of sand to the user experience.
This is the one that was supposed to be present in the previous Android 14, but which did not arrive completely. I mean the predictive gesture of returna self-explanatory name but one that you may not understand until you see it. Whether you have a Pixel or another Android close to “stock” version, this is a reason to take the plunge when you receive the latest version.
Gestures take on a lot of meaning with the new Android 15
And I prefer gestures to traditional navigation buttons This is because they are very intuitive, in addition to the space I gain on the screen, ideal for having that “all screen” feeling that has become fashionable with the reduction of the edges. However, they sometimes made it more confusing to return to the previous application, with the gesture of one end to which we have become accustomed.
Accessing the recent apps view using gestures takes more time than pressing the square-shaped button, so with the predictive gesture that was finally added to Android 15 I know in advance where I'm going when I return. If you are reading this article and don't understand what's new, I'll leave you a little clip so you can check it out.
It's been a while since we've seen any very notable visual changes: Android 12 laid the final stone with the introduction of Material You. Since this version, it has rained a lot, but the aesthetic novelties You can count them on the fingers of one hand.
As a Google system enthusiast, I understand that Android has reached a good point of maturity. It does not require major modifications, however, these small details that improve the user experience are appreciated. Currently, now that this predictive gesture is applied, I don't get confused when switching from one app to another. And I don't miss the speed of the multitasking button.
However, not everything is positive. Just like last year I partially enjoyed it only in some “Google Apps”, it still has a long way to go: it needs to be integrated into third-party applications. Not because it doesn't work to switch between two applications, as I said before, it happens, but because it also must appear in each of them.
The “Settings” app is a clear example of this. When I'm in a section, for example “Notifications” or “Applications”, and I make the “go back” gesture, I see in the background where I am going. This applies to applications that we all use like WhatsApp or Telegram: it would be very useful to see the list of chats when performing the gesture from a conversation, also in the settings of these two messaging applications.
Android 15 doesn't bring major visual changes either, but its small additions continue to refine a very complete and intuitive operating system
Was this as helpful to you as it was to me? Does your Android mobile display this animation? I have to admit that this is not the only important change that Android 15 has brought, it's visual but others like app archiving or “Private Space” are worth it. There are many reasons to update now, provided the new version is available.
Cover image | Pepu Ricca for Xataka Android
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