One of the most highly anticipated new features in Android 15 may not be available on the recently launched Google Pixel 8a. If true, it’s bad news for anyone who just purchased Google’s newest budget handset.
Android Authority reports that the least expensive Pixel 8 model will not support the Auracast feature in Android 15. This feature allows users to share their phone’s audio with multiple Bluetooth devices — making it a lot easier to share a song or video with friends/family without disturbing other people around you.
To support this claim, Android Authority dug into firmware that mentioned Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio, which the Auracast is built on top of. When compiling an
As Android Authority rightly notes, “this doesn’t mean it can’t be added later, but it’s curious that it’s only missing for the Pixel 8a and not the Pixel 8 or
Android 15 could be released to the public as early as next month, perhaps at the next Made by Google event on August 13. Currently being beta tested,
The Pixel 8a was announced and released in May. The handset’s starting price is $499, which is $200 less than the Pixel 8 and $500 less than the
In addition to Android 15, next month’s Google event could feature the arrival of the Pixel 9 series, which includes the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and all-new Pixel 9 XL. The Pixel Fold 2, along with more Google AI features, are also expected.
