May numbers for Android distributions show Oreo growth

June 5, 2018

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May numbers for Android distributions show Oreo growth 4

Google has been a bit inconsistent in recent months with timely updates to their Android distribution stats, so it is a bit more challenging to identify shifts in the deployed versions. One of the trends we have seen in more recent months seems to be toward manufacturers relying more on users upgrading phones to something with newer versions of Android instead of trying to go back and issue updates for older devices. Looking forward, we may finally start to see some impact from Project Treble – maybe.

For the May numbers, which were measured during the week that ended on May 7, 2018, the big winner was Android 7.x Nougat which sits on top with 31.1% of Android devices running that particular version of the operating system.Following close behind is Android 6.0 Marshmallow with 25.5%. Googles latest version of Android – Android 8.x Oreo – has managed to only grab about 5.7% of the market despite being out for roughly half a year now. That seems like a rather dim number especially in light of the Android P developer reviews already being out and likely the focus of manufacturer's development efforts.

Older versions of Android continue to hang around as well. Android 5.x Lollipop continues to cling to 22.4% of the market while Android 4.4 KitKat holds 10.3%. The remaining versions comprise a small slice of the pie.

In terms of changes, the big winner for May appears to be Android Oreo as its share increased by a whole percentage from the previous measurement.

source: Android

Jeff Causey Author

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.