Android Versions Comparison - Comparison Tables - SocialCompare
Android Versions Comparison - Comparison Tables - SocialCompare
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Android platform
Android is a software stack that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. While Google is
the main actor which comes to mind, the Open Handset Alliance also collaborates on Android's development and
release. The operating system is based on the Linux kernel, the specific versions depends on the platform version
and is given in the comparison table below.
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Android 8 introduced an Android flavor for low-end devices the Go Edition. It aims devices with low RAM (1GB
or less), slow internet connections and lower-end CPU. It comes with popular apps dedicated to this flavor: Gmail
Go, Google Go, Maps Go...
There was previously two flavors of the platform. One targeted for small screens mainly mobile phones (all versions
below 3.0), and one dedicated for tablets: Honeycomb Android 3.0. However not all Android tablets support this
version (some tablets use the Android 2.x).
These two variants of the platform have been merged to a versatile and uniform platform since "Ice Cream
Sandwich", which has been released in October 2011. It combines "Gingerbread" and "Honeycomb" versions in a
cohesive platform for tablets and phones at the same time.
Android 5.0 aka Lollipop target to be even more versatile to target also smart watches, TV player, Car media
center... device with only 512 of RAM can support this new version.
Note: The market share figures (Feb. 2018) are based on statistics using API level, so the percentage might gather
several versions of the Android platform.
Related comparisons:
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The following comparison chart lists the main differences between each version of the android platform using the
changelog of each version. Do not hesitate to contribute or comment to make this comparison table as accurate as
possible.
Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
Neural networks
API for artificial
intelligence
Show battery level in "Quick Shared memory
Settings" for devices API
connected via Bluetooth WallpaperColors
Navigation buttons dim API
when not in use Programmatic Safe
UI updates to 'Power Off' 2017
Android 8.1 Oreo Browsing actions 0.3 % 27
and 'Restart' Dec 5
Autofill framework
Toast messages are now updates
white in color with same Go Edition:
existing transparency lightweight
Automatic light and dark Android
themes distribution for
Emoji updates (ie: devices with less
Hamburger move the cheese than 1 GB of RAM
slice position)
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
Shortcut manager
APIs
Support Circular
app icons
Daydream Virtual Reality Keyboard image
mode insertion
Night Light VR thread
Storage manager scheduling
improvements improvements 6.2 %
2016
Android 7.1 Nougat Performance improvements Enhanced (7.1 - 25
Oct 4
for Touch and Display wallpaper metadata 7.1.2)
managements Multi-endpoint call
Option to enable fingerprint support
swipe down gesture Source type
Seamless system updates support for Visual
Voicemail
Carrier config
options to manage
video telephony
28.1 %
2015
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow New emojis (6 - 23
Dec 7
6.0.1)
19.2 %
Speed improvement 2015
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (5.1 - 22
Bug fixes Apr 21
5.1.1)
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
5.4 %
Performance improvements 2014
Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (5.0 - 21
and bug fixes Dec 19
5.0.2)
12 %
Fix Heartbleed / OpenSSL 2014
Android 4.4.4 KitKat (4.4 - 19
vulnerability Jun 23
4.4.4)
Bug fixes 12 %
2014
Android 4.4.3 KitKat Enable Sprint Spark band 26 (4.4 - 19
Apr 14
and band 41 4.4.4)
12 %
Bug fixes 2013
Android 4.4.2 KitKat (4.4 - 19
Security enhancements Dec 9
4.4.4)
Bug fixes 12 %
2013
Android 4.4.1 KitKat Enhance the camera on the (4.4 - 19
Dec 5
Nexus 5 4.4.4)
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
vsync timing
Triple buffering
reduced touch
latency
CPU input boost
Native RTL
support - mirrors
the display from
Lockscreen widgets manifest prop
360 degree images with External display
Photo Sphere support - Display
Gesture Typing, for faster Manager
typing Nested fragments 2.6 %
2012
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Wireless display with Renderscript (4.2 - 17
Nov 13
Miracast Compute - run 4.2.2)
Daydream to display tasks on the GPU
information when idle or (supported devices)
docked Renderscript
Multi-user for tablets ScriptGroups,
built-in intrinsics
like blur,
FilterScript is a
subset of
Renderscript made
for high
performance image
processing
1.7 %
Fix a bug on screen 2012
Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean (4.1 - 16
orientation Jul 23
4.1.2)
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
app stack
navigation to
define a parent
activity in manifest
for deep navigation
MediaActionSound
Google Now ( class to make
http://youtu.be/pPqliPzHYyc sounds like when a
) camera takes a
Voice Search photo 1.7 %
2012
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Speed enhancements NFC supports large (4.1 - 16
Jul 9
Camera app improvements payloads over 4.1.2)
Accessibility: gesture mode, bluetooth
enable braille external WIFI/WIFI-Direct
keyboards... service discovery
Large, detailed,
multi-action
notifications
Input manager
allows you to
query input devices
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
Low-level
streaming
multimedia
(Khronos
OpenMAX AL
Grid Layout
Spell checking
service
New lock screen actions
Address Space
Improved text input and
Layout
spell-checking
Randomization
Ice Cream Control over network data 2011
Android 4.0 VPN client API 0% 14
Sandwich Email app supports EAS v14 Oct 18
Remote Device
WI-FI direct
camera
BlueTooth Health Device
enable/disable
Profile
ZSL exposure,
continuous focus,
and image zoom
Flags to help
control system ui
elements like
system bar from
apps
2012
Android 3.2.6 Honeycomb Minor fixes 0% 13
Feb 15
2011
Android 3.2.4 Honeycomb Added "Pay as you go" for tablets 0% 13
Dec 15
2011
Android 3.2.2 Honeycomb Minor fixes 0% 13
Sep 30
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
UI improvements
Open Accessory API
USB host API
Mice, joysticks, gamepads...
2011
Android 3.1 Honeycomb support 0% 12
May 10
Resizable Home screen
widgets
MTP notifications
RTP API for audio
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
contextual action
bar
Fragments first
introduced(support
library now
supports it as well)
Multi core support Hardware-
Better tablet support accelerated 2D
Updated 3D UI graphics
customizable Renderscript 3D
homescreens graphics engine
recent applications Pluggable DRM
viewing framework
redone keyboard device 2011
Android 3.0 Honeycomb 0% 11
layout administration Feb 22
Media/Picture transport High performance
protocol Animation
Google Talk video chat Framework
Google eBooks RTP streaming API
"Private browsing" Forced rendering
System-wide Clipboard of layers
HTTP Live streaming High performance
WIFI lock
Vew network
traffic stats
ADTS AAC and
FLAC audio
LRU cache
0.3 %
Google Wallet support for 2011
Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread (2.3.3 - 10
the Nexus S 4G Sep 21
2.3.7)
0.3 %
2011
Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread Voice search issue fixed (2.3.3 - 10
Sep 2
2.3.7)
Improved network
performance for the Nexus S
0.3 %
4G 2011
Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread (2.3.3 - 10
Fixed Bluetooth issues on Jul 25
2.3.7)
the Samsung Galaxy S
Gmail app. improvements
0.3 %
Voice or video chat using Open Accessory 2011
Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread (2.3.3 - 10
Google Talk API May 10
2.3.7)
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
NFC API
improvements
0.3 %
(peer to peer 2011
Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread (2.3.3 - 10
communication...) Feb 9
2.3.7)
added unsecure
bluetooth sockets
performance -
concurrent garbage
collection, faster
event distribution,
updated video
Updated UI
drivers
Improved keyboard ease of
NDK - Native
use
Asset Manager,
Improved copy/paste
Native Activities +
Improved power
event handling, 2010 0 % (2.3
Android 2.3 Gingerbread management 9
khronos api Dec 6 - 2.3.2)
Social networking features
audio effects api
Near Field Communication
VP8, WebM, AAC,
support
AMR wideband
Native VoIP/SIP support
Multiple camera
Video call support
sensor support
strictmode
debugging
media framework
replaces OpenCore
Speed improvements
JIT implementation
USB Tethering
Applications installation to 2010
Android 2.2 Froyo 0% 8
the expandable memory May 20
Upload file support in the
browser
Animated GIFs
2010
Android 2.1 Eclair Updated UI 0% 7
Jan 12
2009
Android 2.0.1 Eclair 0% 6
Dec 3
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Android
Version Key developer features Release API
Key user features added market
name added date Level
share
HTML
Digital zoom
Microsoft Exchange support 2009
Android 2.0 Eclair 0% 5
Bluetooth 2.1 Oct 26
Live Wallpapers
Updated UI
2008
Android 0.9 0%
Aug 22
Preferences Add data Import data Save new view Save
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Comments
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2018-03-26 13:10:34 by Noyinwza
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Posted 2017-10-27 22:02:30 by hypo59
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Great
Posted 2017-09-23 03:37:16 by kisoo kim
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Very nice list. I didn't even know about 0.9 Android) By the way, I have nice review about last 8 Android
Oreo. Check it here: https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/android-8-0-features-and-updates-release-of-new-
android-os
Posted 2017-09-01 16:38:05 by Pablopablo
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2017-06-07 01:16:47 by ghosthero
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suggested on Android 1.1 to set Name to Android
Posted 2017-04-24 08:23:25 by PAULAB
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commented on Android 7.1
Can we use new version on Samsung Galaxy S4 sgh-m919 UVUAMDL ?
Posted 2017-02-12 20:17:04 by Kamran Mehmood
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2017-02-07 10:35:25 by Chandra Mohan
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2017-01-23 15:44:58 by weed420
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suggested on Android 7.1 to set Name to Android 7.1 Nougat
Posted 2016-10-16 13:10:10 by MrGamix
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How do I know which Android OS will work best with the MyMatrix TV android box? I tried looking for it
on their site but couldn't find any info on it......http://www.MyMatrixTV.com
Posted 2016-08-19 22:59:02 by Rob Pacinelli
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2016-02-27 21:21:22 by Uday Shah
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Cool OS, love the version names & great comparison!
Posted 2016-01-12 06:31:57 by Ekta
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2015-11-02 12:14:09 by ltrudu
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@Jeyanthan Rasalingam
API: basically it is the features a developer can use for their app. For a full description:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface
API level is useful for developers to know which versions has the same global features set.
It's also useful for market share as explained in the description (market share is based on the API level).
Posted 2015-06-01 11:52:23 by Seralo
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
ohh thanks what is the meaning of API
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2015-05-30 12:40:52 by thibault22
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2015-05-16 07:43:32 by Kelly
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2014-07-14 21:55:26 by ibankbee
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thnx for info...
Posted 2014-01-25 16:41:41 by Tanushree Pattayat Taps
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2014-01-12 13:25:22 by Nediak
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asteriou2009
Posted 2014-01-04 13:19:40 by asteriou2009
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Great comparison !
Posted 2013-11-22 00:23:16 by Xavier Joy Gomes
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easy to convey matter........
Posted 2013-11-18 07:08:57 by Karthik Raja
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commented on Android 4.1.2
Je ne sais pas si c'est le cas sur tous les smartphones, mais sur le Samsung Xcover 2 ou GT-S7710, cette
version est une vrai galère au niveau de la mémoire. Impossible de transférer les applications sur la micro SD.
Du coup, on est vite saturé en mémoire. Inadmissible pour un smartphone comme celui-là. Il serait bien
d'avoir une solution pour corriger ce problème.
Posted 2013-10-13 08:58:21 by Fred
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2013-10-04 08:00:45 by chgros59
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commented on Android 4.1.2
Bonjour. Depuis que j'ai cette nouvelle version (4.1.2) j'ai un petit souci. Quand j’écris un sms et que j'ai un
mot qui n'éxiste pas sur mon téléphone il est impossible d'ajouter ce nouveau mot dans le dictionnaire interne
de mon galaxy note GT-N7000. Y'a t'il une solution car cela est très gênent. merci d'avance
Posted 2013-09-27 19:39:23 by Thunder13
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commented on Android 4.2.2
Dolphin has not supported Flash since about the time of Android 4.0.1 or 4.0.2, Or have they added it back?
The Android devs had pretty horrid Flash support anyway. Felt like they just decided to give up trying to get
their code right (was it beyond their skill level? who knows...but it's not there far as my last look.)
Posted 2013-06-10 13:27:30 by brecklundin
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Posted 2013-04-09 11:07:43 by Rajesh Varanasi
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android is a software for tablet and phones, the platform is based on linux kernel. it can be modified by
programmer and now it has many versions like gingerbread, ice cream sandwich, jelly bean, honeycomb, etc.
Fachrunnisa Firdausi /IT 2E/ 214
Posted 2013-03-11 08:11:48 by Firda-keLces Pengendbangedbiizajadii Personilkelimanyaa-Jrocks
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est-il possible de mettre à jour la version android de ma tablette qui tourne sous 4.1.1 ?
Posted 2013-03-09 18:13:31 by surfette001
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Voted for this Comparison A++
Posted 2013-03-03 02:23:41 by El Komander
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Jelly Bean 4.2
Posted 2013-02-09 22:57:26 by elpak
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Much HELPFUL...
Posted 2013-01-30 16:22:39 by Ali Hussain Shaikh
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I want to say ,,, just awesome ,, After reading your article i became a fan of Android ,, So i add a part to
Android in my blog and write something on Best Android Email Clients
Posted 2013-01-24 15:52:08 by Sumit Sharma
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2012-12-19 18:16:50 by jacfalcon
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2012-12-17 15:56:25 by Vanina
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very helpfull!
Posted 2012-12-04 01:24:17 by L7ColWinters
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Rien de mieux qu'un OS ouvert et accessible à tous. Quand Apple le comprendra ? Un bon article sur ce
thème : http://www.itespresso.fr/generations-android-ice-cream-sandwich-gingerbread-58424.html
Posted 2012-11-07 14:53:36 by caminel
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2012-10-31 00:25:22 by Matt Szczublewski
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cute system
Posted 2012-08-17 04:40:37 by simosamm
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2012-08-03 12:23:24 by Ankit Mishra
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Posted 2012-06-19 14:45:19 by Mike
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Nice One
Posted 2012-06-16 08:39:01 by Sohail Khan
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commented on Android 4.0.4
i need it to download
Posted 2012-05-23 05:43:27 by Fredmar T. Go
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Very Informative
Posted 2012-04-27 13:45:05 by Sooraj Amin
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USEFUL....
Posted 2012-02-09 04:46:57 by suryag
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seems useful
Posted 2011-12-13 02:37:13 by Android_Fans
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voted for this Comparison (Like)
Posted 2011-09-13 11:09:24 by Vishal
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