Google has specified the requirements for devices applying for certification to use the Android 15 operating system. The changes affected both the hardware and software. In particular, the requirements for the amount of permanent memory in gadgets have increased.
Image source: Google
One of the key requirements of Android 15 is that the device must have 32 GB of permanent memory. Manufacturers still produce budget gadgets equipped with only 16 GB of permanent memory. This requirement was in effect with the release of the Android 13 operating system. According to the new conditions for Android 15, 75% of the 32 GB of permanent memory (as before) must be allocated for installing data.
Google cannot legally prevent manufacturers from releasing smartphones with less than 32GB of storage if those devices run the open source version of Android (AOSP), because the AOSP licensing terms do not allow such restrictions. However, the company can apply this requirement to manufacturers who want to ship devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS), because GMS is a proprietary technology. The minimum flash storage requirement is specified in the confidential GMS Requirements document, which outlines the rules required to obtain a GMS license. Most smartphone and tablet manufacturers adhere to these rules. Without them, devices cannot ship with core Google apps, such as the Google Play Store and Google Play Services.
Image source: Android Authority
At the same time, the new requirement does not regulate the speed and performance of the permanent memory of devices applying for the update to Android 15. This means that manufacturers can still use slow eMMC memory instead of much faster UFS.
In addition to the increased minimum flash memory, Android 15 devices must meet other new requirements to pass GMS certification. While most of the new requirements are hidden or affect mobile processor vendors rather than device OEMs, one of them has significant implications for user security.
Image source: Android Authority
Google says that cellular devices running Android 15 or later must provide users with the option to share their emergency contact details with emergency location services during emergency calls. This will allow emergency services to contact emergency contacts for alerts or additional information. To protect user privacy, Google requires clear disclosure of what data may be shared, as well as a mandatory prohibition on sharing contact details without the user’s explicit consent.
Image source: Google
Another key requirement of Android 15 is that devices must support Vulkan 1.3 or higher on their processors, as well as comply with the Android Baseline 2022 and Vulkan profiles for Android 15. Additionally, devices running Android 15 and later (excluding Android Go edition devices) must include the ANGLE libraries and provide developers with the option to use them as a replacement for native OpenGL ES drivers. ANGLE effectively translates older OpenGL ES calls to Vulkan, allowing modern devices without native OpenGL ES drivers to support older apps and games. Google notes that while ANGLE libraries are not required by default in Android 15, they must be enabled by default in Android 16. The requirements for Vulkan and ANGLE in Android 15 come as no surprise: Vulkan is now an official graphics API for Android. As Google strives to make Android the leading gaming platform, improving Vulkan support is a key step in that direction.
Image source: Android Authority
Finally, another important requirement of Android 15 is the change in the minimum amount of available RAM. In order to receive GMS certification, Android 14 devices with 2 GB of RAM must support the Low-Memory Optimization optimizer included in the OS (Android Go Edition). While Android 15 devices with 2 GB of RAM can still receive GMS certification, the resource optimization requirement now also applies to devices with 3 GB of RAM. Currently, OEMs can decide for themselves whether to use Low-Memory Optimization on devices with 4 GB of RAM, but it may become a mandatory requirement in the next major OS update.
The company also recommends that devices running Android 15 use hardware platforms with Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. However, this is only a recommendation. Bluetooth 5.0 is strongly recommended for hearing aid support via Bluetooth LE over the ASHA protocol. Google also recommends using hardware platforms with Widevine L1 support and enabling the appropriate secure decoder for each AVC, HEVC, VP9, or AV1 hardware decoder on the device. Both recommendations will become mandatory requirements in Android 16.