Android 15 Brings Major UI Redesign to Volume Panel

Google introduced the Material You design language in Android 12 in 2021. Google has made minor tweaks to the design in subsequent releases, but Android 15 is set to bring a major UI overhaul to the volume panel

Google introduced the Material You design language in Android 12 in 2021. Google has made minor tweaks to the design in subsequent releases, but Android 15 is set to bring a major UI overhaul to the volume panel.

Redesigned UI

The new volume panel UI can be manually enabled in the latest Android 15 Developer Preview 2. The controls feature thicker bar-shaped sliders with a dot at the end that quickly jumps to the maximum volume, while the icons in the bar area can also mute quickly.

Android 15's new volume panel is collapsible. Tapping on the button next to the media volume slider collapses or expands the panel. The volume panel is collapsed by default whenever there is active media playing. Otherwise, it opens in a fully expanded state.

The "Sound & vibration" header from the volume panel in Android 14 is also gone in Android 15, replaced by a media output shortcut.

Google has also added some animations to the new volume panel in Android 15. The control name text can now move with the sliders, so users can always see what they are adjusting the volume for. Additionally, the current volume level is now displayed in place of the icon when moving the slider.

Added Functionality

In addition to the new design, the volume panel will also surface additional controls, such as spatial audio and "noise control."

Native Satellite Communication Support

Beyond the volume panel UI tweaks, Android 15 is also rumored to bring native support for satellite communication.

Google was recently found to have included references to native satellite communication functionality in the recently released Android 14 PQ3 Beta 1. This suggests that Google is working on bringing native satellite communication capabilities to Android. However, the feature is more likely to debut in Android 15.

According to the leak, the included stub code shows a "Satellite messaging" option within the system settings, with an option to "Send and receive SMS messages via satellite."

This suggests that Google is looking to bring native satellite communication support to more devices with the Android 15 update. This could facilitate support for satellite connectivity from more smartphone manufacturers in the future.

New Pixel 9 Series Details

In addition to software updates, Google's Pixel line of smartphones is also set to get new additions soon.

Alleged renders of the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro surfaced online in January, but recent reports suggest that those devices are actually the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

This means that Google will be introducing an "XL" variant this year, marking the first time since the Google Pixel 5 series.

Renders of the Google Pixel 9 have also leaked.

Based on the renders, the overall design of the Google Pixel 9 appears similar to the previously leaked Pixel 9 Pro, featuring a centered hole-punch display on the front, a squared-off frame, and a power button and volume rocker on the right side of the chassis.

The new device also has a pill-shaped rear camera module. However, unlike the triple-camera system on the Pro model, the Pixel 9 will reportedly feature a dual-camera setup.