Android 15 is set to bring a notable change to the minimum storage requirements for devices, a move intended to enhance overall performance and user experience. Google is increasing the minimum flash storage requirement to 32GB, a significant leap from the previous 16GB, which was introduced with Android 13 in 2022. This change aims to address the increasing size of Android OS updates and applications, which often leave users with limited space, especially on lower-end devices.
The decision to raise the storage floor comes as apps and software on devices continue to grow in size. Even with advancements in cloud storage, devices still require ample local storage for the operating system, pre-installed applications, and the apps users download. For devices seeking Google Mobile Services (GMS) certification, Android 15 now mandates a minimum of 32GB of internal storage, with at least 75% of this capacity allocated to the data partition. The data partition houses pre-installed system apps, system app data, certain system files, and all user apps and files. This ensures sufficient space for essential functions and a smoother user experience.
This change primarily targets OEMs that ship budget-friendly smartphones and tablets. Devices with less than 32GB of storage will not be able to upgrade to Android 15, as the new requirement applies to both new and upgrading devices. Although Google cannot legally prevent manufacturers from building smartphones with less than 32GB of storage if they use the open-source version of Android (AOSP), it can enforce the minimum storage requirement for OEMs seeking a Google Mobile Services (GMS) license for their devices. GMS provides access to essential Google services like the Play Store, Play Services, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Assistant. Without GMS, a device's usability is severely limited.
The increased storage requirement is expected to improve the user experience on low-end Android devices, which account for a significant portion of Android device sales worldwide. More space means users can install more apps and receive updates without constantly managing storage. While some worry this might increase the cost of budget phones, many entry-level to mid-range devices already ship with at least 64GB of storage.
Alongside the storage changes, Android 15 introduces other enhancements, including requiring new chipsets to support Vulkan 1.3 or higher for improved graphics performance, and compliance with the Android Baseline 2022 profile and Vulkan Profile for Android 15. Additionally, devices with 3GB of RAM or less are now required to use Android Go Edition, which is optimized for lower-end hardware. This is up from the previous 2GB RAM requirement.
Other notable features of Android 15 include improved privacy and security settings, such as a "Private Space" for sensitive apps, better low-light camera performance, satellite connectivity for messaging, and enhanced multitasking capabilities for foldable devices and tablets.
While Android 15 may appear to be a minor update, it includes numerous UI improvements and features that contribute to a better user experience. The performance and smoothness of transitions have been improved, animations are more refined, and gesture navigation is more responsive. The update also introduces features like app archiving, which helps free up storage space by offloading unused apps, and partial screen recording, which allows users to record only a single app screen.
