In case you personal an Android smartphone, likelihood is you aren’t getting the newest model of the cellular working system. In truth, the distribution of Android variations reveals that fragmentation remains to be necessary regardless of Google’s efforts to scale back it.
Android is the most well-liked cellular working system on the planet, but in addition probably the most fragmented. A scenario that appears to be creating very slowly and for which, sadly, Google nonetheless doesn’t appear to have discovered an answer.
In case you don’t have the newest Android model, you’re not alone
The most recent figures on the unfold of Android variations have fallen. These date Could 30, 2023 and are unflattering to Google and its companions. Nonetheless, as Mishaal Rahman identified in a tweet, the variety of smartphones working Android 13 has virtually tripled since January 2023 and is now at 15%.
Google has up to date the Android model distribution statistics displayed in Android Studio to mirror the newest information as of Could 30, 2023. Right here you possibly can see how the share of (GMS Android) gadgets has modified since January 2023, when the statistics had been final publicly up to date.
– Android 13: 5.2% – 15%
-… pic.twitter.com/ruaGZhgd6y— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 5, 2023
Sadly, that is nonetheless not sufficient to move Android 12, which is discovered on 16.3% of gadgets. The undisputed “chief” stays Android 11, which has misplaced 1.2 factors since January, however nonetheless reaches 23.1% on the high. Remember the fact that Android 11 was launched in September 2020, which is comparatively outdated for a cellular working system.
Tips on how to replace Android to the newest model
With out eager to stir the knife into the wound, the worst is undoubtedly the second place occupied by Android 10, which remains to be put in on 17.8% of gadgets greater than three years after its launch.
The Penalties of Android Fragmentation
Android fragmentation refers to the truth that there are a mess of various variations of the working system that aren’t being up to date on the similar tempo or with the identical options. It is because Android is an open system that may be modified by smartphone producers and cellphone operators so as to add their very own person interface or purposes.
Adjustments that delay the replace course of to new Android variations and require customization and testing earlier than deployment. This limits entry to new options and efficiency enhancements that include newer variations, whereas making it more durable for builders.
In truth, the latter should take into consideration the number of variations and {hardware} configurations with a purpose to make their purposes appropriate with the biggest doable variety of gadgets. Lastly, the oldest variations now not obtain safety patches that repair system bugs. A boon for cybercriminals who notably like Android.
Android fragmentation is a phenomenon that persists regardless of Google’s efforts. The variety of manufacturers and gamers concerned within the course of additionally represents a brake on the additional improvement of the working system, which struggles to supply a constant and optimum expertise to all customers.
Lastly we all know why Android customers are switching to iPhone
Nonetheless, Google has launched two initiatives to hurry up the replace processor. The primary in 2017 is the Treble challenge, which splits the Android code into two layers. The second in 2019 is the mainline challenge, which permits updating sure Android parts by means of the Google Play Retailer with out having to do a full system replace.
Now let’s hope that Google’s initiatives bear fruit and that producers and operators additionally do their half to scale back Android fragmentation.
Supply: Android Police
