The fragmentation of Android, what is it and how it can affect you

One of the main differences between Android and iOS occurs when there are new updates in the terminals. In the case of Apple, it usually covers terminals put on the market for several years. On the other hand, Google leaves this option in the hands of the manufacturers .

In this way, it is they who promote the new versions that take place in consumers, a practice that usually accompanies a series of controversies . Why a manufacturer that bases its performance on Android decides not to include in the list of updates in a model that was released, for example, a few years ago?

Fragmentation affects more depending on the increase of versions [19659003] The excuse usually invoked is related to the use of outdated technology given the requirements of these new bets up to date . What's causing this? The dreaded fragmentation that has affected the operating system designed by Google for years.

Obviously, this affects users who bought high-end models a few seasons ago. It is very likely that, to this day, it continues to be a good mobile, but it is possible that the manufacturer believes that the new update (with the customization layer included) is no longer beneficial for the public .

Is there a hidden stance on consumerism? Can we blame the planned obsolescence of a practice that allows us to move billions of euros each year? Let's see how the Android landscape is currently . The fragmentation, with so many updates, has caused that at the end of these lines, only 12% of users have the Oreo version.

Stagnant fragmentation in Lollipop, Marshmallow and Nougat

As expected, the previous three versions of the current version have the largest number of users. This process was repeated successively following the release of new updates. In this sense, Lollipop, Marshmallow and Nougat remain at the top of the podium compared to the number of users.

As you can read in Europa Press, the Oreo version, after almost a year on the market, represents only 12% of the total share of users of Oreo . Can we talk about success or was it badumed that today more would have been achieved?

Fragmentation is further accentuated by different versions in each operating system

Fragmentation is something that is produced by the arrival of newer versions, which usually include management and development improvements. security. Now, should we make a distinction only between highlighted updates? It is important to emphasize how there are versions that include some minor fixes and improvements in each of the operating systems .

In this sense, it is striking how, for example, the version Oreo 8.1, the most recent, is only present in a total of 2% of Android devices according to the data provided by the official blog for Google developers. Let's take a look, we can get the trend and the pattern that follows this segment.

Latest updates only in the main Android range

Manufacturers, in order to encourage the marketing of their most valuable models, They usually include the most important versions of the Google operating system . In this way, they make the product a more attractive bet to stimulate its marketing. It is a strategy that continues to be repeated which gives rise to the situation currently experienced by the Android panorama.

Do a quick scan, it's easy to reach a conclusion. Said 2% correspond to models located in the most prominent group of the Android universe and which also has a current marketing market. In fact, it is very possible that not all terminals present in this range have a year of use.

However, it is appropriate to add to this list terminals belonging to brands that enjoy preferential treatment with Google. In fact, the company based in Mountain View has been producing its own terminals for some time over which it has preferential treatment when it is to promote the use of new updates.

Several scenarios of action would be considered to avoid fragmentation

Well, what can we expect in the future? 2 scenarios are envisaged. The first, more radical and with a lower probability, could mean having the performance of older versions in order to reduce this gap.

In the second case, we could work more closely with the manufacturers to improve the implementation of new versions in a wider range of terminals . This would lead to more consumption of the most recent options, which would encourage the positioning of the closest Android segment of the iOS method.