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In a report published by OpenSignal.com, Android fragmentation has increased over the past year and the number of distinct Android devices has tripled. The report compared devices, manufacturers, screen sizes, and operating systems all which are showing more diversity than in previous years.
In a comparison with iOS, Android versions were split and the biggest share holder was version 4.1-4.2 Jelly Bean at 37.9{813a954d5e225a1509f22204ece89c855080ce25555f20805f61bed63cbfde3b}. iOS, on the other hand, was split with iOS 6 at 95{813a954d5e225a1509f22204ece89c855080ce25555f20805f61bed63cbfde3b}, iOS 5 at 5{813a954d5e225a1509f22204ece89c855080ce25555f20805f61bed63cbfde3b}, and all the rest at below 1{813a954d5e225a1509f22204ece89c855080ce25555f20805f61bed63cbfde3b}. Screen size is another element that OpenSignal analyzed and found that Android devices come in all kinds of sizes while iOS devices have only four.
This report makes an effort to paint fragmentation as a benefit to the Android community and the freedom of development that comes with it, but in reality the effects of the increasing fragmentation has no definitive benefit. Programmers certainly have additional work added on by having to test apps on a large number of devices and systems and that is not usually a positive thing.
Some specific numbers posted at OpenSignal.com include:
11,868 – Distinct Android devices seen this year
3,997 – Distinct Android devices seen last year
682,000 – Devices surveyed for this report
47.5{813a954d5e225a1509f22204ece89c855080ce25555f20805f61bed63cbfde3b} – Samsung’s share of those devices
8 – Android versions still in use
37.9{813a954d5e225a1509f22204ece89c855080ce25555f20805f61bed63cbfde3b} – Android users on Jelly Bean
Information was gathered in a variety of ways but primarily through tracking app downloads. The sample size used by OpenSource was determined by the sample size last year to create an equal representation. Other data was mined from Google and web visits.
The highlight of this report by OpenSource is clearly their website and the interactive charts. It is worth visiting and exploring the data in this very intuitive and interesting manner. The fragmentation charts are definitely worth a few minutes of your time. While fragmentation continued fragmentation is not unexpected, year over year increases will likely continue as low cost devices are released and remain popular.
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Apple Shows Developers why it is Easier to Make Apps for iOS vs Android
Android Devices May Be On The Rise, But Owners Don’t Seem To Want To Use Them
iPad Users Spend More on Apps Compared to Android and iPhone Owners
