In context: Google is typically the first company to bring the latest version of Android to the masses, followed by Samsung and OnePlus. However, this year, Chinese smartphone vendor Vivo has beaten Google to become the first brand to roll out Android 15.
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro and the Vivo X100 series devices are reportedly receiving stable Android 15, making them the first smartphones to officially get the update.
The rollout comes just days after Google released the Android 15 AOSP build, setting the stage for all Android vendors to roll out the latest software to their respective devices. AOSP, or the Android Open Source Project, serves as the foundation for all custom Android skins, such as Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’ OxygenOS.
My vivo X Fold3 Pro just received Android 15 update.
Crazy how Vivo is the 1st major brand to be rolling out this out to their flagships. Not even Google Pixel has stable update yet.
Hoping for a just as good of an experience with FuntouchOS 15. Good job @Vivo_India. #Android15 pic.twitter.com/f4oSkKxfy1
– Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) September 27, 2024
Vivo may not be a well-known brand in North America, but it is one of the largest smartphone vendors globally. Its parent company, BBK Electronics, also owns OnePlus and is among the five largest smartphone manufacturers in the world. The company sells its mobile devices under several prominent brands including Oppo, Realme, iQOO, Vivo, and OnePlus.
Even though Vivo is the first to release the Android 15 update, Pixel and Galaxy owners need not despair. Google has confirmed that the Pixel 9 series and other eligible Pixel devices will receive the Android 15 update in October, while Samsung is expected to roll out the update to at least some of its latest premium smartphones before the end of the year.
Google devices slated to get the Android 15 update include virtually every Pixel handset since the Pixel 6, including the Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet. Samsung Galaxy S21 and newer smartphones are also in line for Android 15, as are newer Z Fold and Z Flip devices.
