Android is sort of twenty years previous, nevertheless it nonetheless suffers from the identical massive drawback.
Whereas the most recent model, Android 16, is offered on all supported Google Pixel telephones and most of the different greatest telephones round, its rollout to older handsets continues at a glacial tempo.
The most recent distribution figures are an all-too-familiar reminder of this. In accordance with a 9to5Google report, Android 16 is presently put in on a measly 7.5 p.c of all Android gadgets. You possibly can forgive a brand new working system for this, however Android 16 launched again in June of final 12 months!
Extremely, it is a massive enchancment from April 2025, when Android 15 may solely be discovered on a dismal 4.5 p.c of all handsets. A significant a part of this was the extremely gradual rollout of Samsung’s Android 15 pores and skin (One UI 7) to previous-gen Galaxy telephones, which hadn’t even begun on the time.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Regardless of the advance, it’s a world away from the iPhone, the place iOS 26 is put in on near 30 p.c of supported gadgets (per StatCounter). If earlier years are something to go by, you possibly can count on that determine to climb quickly within the coming months.
In fact, it’s unfair to count on an working system that’s fragmented throughout dozens of various producers to compete with one which has a single supply for all {hardware} and software program.
Nevertheless it’s not about Android 16 attempting to ‘beat’ iOS 26. The restricted uptake has a big impact on present Android telephone house owners, each now and into the longer term.
Android 17 is coming – however who cares?
Personally, I’m excited for the following main model of Android, which is sort of sure to be often known as Android 17. However there’s one massive cause for that: I’m prone to profit immediately from the brand new options.
Who can blame you for not getting enthusiastic about what Google reveals in its subsequent shiny keynote?
I take advantage of Google’s newest Pixel 10 Professional XL as my predominant smartphone, placing me among the many first in line for Android 17 when it drops. I’ll most likely even be eligible to strive it early by way of a beta if I need.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
That is merely not the truth for the overwhelming majority of Android customers. Whether or not you’re utilizing a Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor or another third-party Android telephone, you would be ready months and even years to get Android 17. Who can blame you for not getting enthusiastic about what Google reveals in its subsequent shiny keynote?
That is the crux of the problem. Exterior of tech circles, only a few individuals care concerning the new options coming in a serious model of Android till it arrives on their telephone. Even then, they most likely gained’t discover except modifications are apparent.
Nearly everybody has a telephone. However nearly no-one cares about attention-grabbing telephone options that they gained’t have the ability to expertise for a lot of months – or maybe ever.
Most of the current Android options that may take advantage of distinction to customers’ lives have been restricted to Pixel telephones, which account for an estimated 2.24 p.c of worldwide market share (in accordance with StatCounter). I’d love my family and friends to have the ability to use Name Screening, Now Taking part in, Rip-off Detection and the Private Security app, however only a few of them ever will.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
More and more, software program updates are all about bug fixes and safety as a substitute of latest options. However that’s the place one other main concern arises.
The large unsupported telephone concern
The info reported by 9to5Google reveals one other drawback: the large fragmentation of Android’s person base. It’s not simply that most individuals are utilizing Android 15 as a substitute of 16 – over 10 p.c of gadgets are operating every of the final six main variations, courting again to Android 11 in 2020.
In fact, a few of these telephones might now not be in common use, however there’s nonetheless a powerful probability that tens of millions of persons are utilizing unsupported telephones.
You most likely don’t must be advised what the dangers of this are. An unsupported telephone is an insecure telephone, with out the safety patches essential to mitigate any threats. In case your gadget will get a bug or is contaminated with malware, there’s no Android replace coming to save lots of you.
There’s nonetheless a powerful probability that tens of millions of persons are utilizing unsupported telephones
As I defined in my iPhone 4 digicam development article, the one method to make use of an unsupported telephone safely is by not inserting a SIM card and by no means connecting to the web. In any other case, you’re placing your private and personal information susceptible to being accessible to hackers. No-one desires that.
Foundry
Software program help varies massively relying on the Android telephone you will have, however a easy on-line search ought to inform you whether or not it’s nonetheless supported. If not, I’d urge you to purchase a finances, mid-range or flagship handset that’s.
Whereas Google is ploughing forward with Android 17 growth, many house owners of older telephones are being unnoticed within the chilly. Conserving all of Android’s estimated 3.9 billion customers utterly protected is unimaginable, however a functioning, protected telephone will all the time be extra essential than the most recent model.
So, when Android 17 makes its debut, don’t be shocked to see a lukewarm response. Many gained’t even have Android 16 by then.