Pixel 9a could be Google's only smartphone to launch with Android 15

Earlier this week, Google officially confirmed that it will release the next major version of Android earlier than usual. Validating prior rumours, the new timeline puts Android 16's stable rollout between April and June 2025. In summary, Google explained in an Android Developers Blog post that this new release window should align with the launch periods of new Android smartphones.

Theoretically, this should allow OEMs to ship new smartphones with the latest version of Android. However, there is no guarantee that this will occur of course. To that end, recent rumours about the Pixel 9a suggest that it will fall short in this regard. Specifically, the Pixel 9a is anticipated to arrive in March 2025.

Thus, Google's next mid-range release will follow in the footsteps of the Pixel 9 (curr. $799 on Amazon), which missed out on Android 15 by about two months. Incidentally, it would seem that the Pixel 9a will be the company's only smartphone to launch with Android 15, contrary to previous generations. For reference, the Pixel 9 series arrived running Android 14 like its predecessors. By contrast, Google's next flagships should start life running Android 16 instead.