If you own an Android smartphone, chances are you are not getting the latest version of the mobile operating system. In fact, the distribution of Android versions shows that fragmentation is still important despite Google’s efforts to reduce it.
Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, but also the most fragmented. A situation that seems to be developing very slowly and for which, unfortunately, Google still does not seem to have found a solution.
If you don’t have the latest Android version, you’re not alone
The latest figures on the spread of Android versions have fallen. These date May 30, 2023 and are unflattering to Google and its partners. However, as Mishaal Rahman pointed out in a tweet, the number of smartphones running Android 13 has almost tripled since January 2023 and is now at 15%.
Google has updated the Android version distribution statistics displayed in Android Studio to reflect the latest data as of May 30, 2023. Here you can see how the percentage of (GMS Android) devices has changed since January 2023, when the statistics were last publicly updated.
– Android 13: 5.2% – 15%
-… pic.twitter.com/ruaGZhgd6y— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 5, 2023
Unfortunately, this is still not enough to pass Android 12, which is found on 16.3% of devices. The undisputed “leader” remains Android 11, which has lost 1.2 points since January, but still reaches 23.1% at the top. Keep in mind that Android 11 was released in September 2020, which is relatively old for a mobile operating system.
How to update Android to the latest version
Without wanting to stir the knife into the wound, the worst is undoubtedly the second place occupied by Android 10, which is still installed on 17.8% of devices more than three years after its launch.
The Consequences of Android Fragmentation
Android fragmentation refers to the fact that there are a multitude of different versions of the operating system that are not being updated at the same pace or with the same features. This is because Android is an open system that can be modified by smartphone manufacturers and phone operators to add their own user interface or applications.
Changes that delay the update process to new Android versions and require customization and testing before deployment. This limits access to new features and performance improvements that come with newer versions, while making it harder for developers.
In fact, the latter must take into account the variety of versions and hardware configurations in order to make their applications compatible with the largest possible number of devices. Finally, the oldest versions no longer receive security patches that fix system bugs. A boon for cybercriminals who particularly like Android.
Android fragmentation is a phenomenon that persists despite Google’s efforts. The number of brands and players involved in the process also represents a brake on the further development of the operating system, which struggles to offer a consistent and optimal experience to all users.
Finally we know why Android users are switching to iPhone
However, Google has launched two initiatives to speed up the update processor. The first in 2017 is the Treble project, which splits the Android code into two layers. The second in 2019 is the mainline project, which allows updating certain Android components through the Google Play Store without having to do a full system update.
Now let’s hope that Google’s initiatives bear fruit and that manufacturers and operators also do their part to reduce Android fragmentation.
Source: Android Police