14 DAY TRIAL // The whole Android fragmentation debacle is based on the fact that Google launches a new version of its mobile platform each year, but handset makers can't keep up with the updates.
Not to mention that only a small fraction of Android smartphones and tablets out there are getting major OS updates after Google releases the new version of its mobile platform.
Unfortunately, the latest version of Android OS is not even at 1% market share, even though it's been many months since Nougat was launched on the market.
According to the latest distribution numbers released by Google, about 0.4% of the devices are using Android Nougat, which is quite low even for a new OS.
Six months from now, Google will probably announce Android O and handset makers will start thinking how they can bring their phones to the new version of the OS faster.
Android Lollipop still tops the chart with 34% market share: Android 5.0 - 10.8%, Android 5.1 - 23.2%. Next in line is Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is now used by 26.3% of Android devices.
Android 4.4 KitKat still has a large market share, though it shouldn't. The OS accounts for 24% of the devices, while Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is at 12.8%. The chart ends with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which has a 1.2% market share, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread with the same amount.
Android 2.2 Froyo is still part of the chart with 0.1%, but the OS will probably disappear in the next couple of months since any versions with less than 0.1% distribution will not be shown anymore.
According to Google, the numbers that we've mentioned above are the result of the data collected during a 7-day period ending on December 5, 2016.
We're hoping 2017 will be a much better year for Android Nougat, especially that all flagship smartphones expected to debut starting January are likely to ship with this version of the OS.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the Android devices is made of mid-range and low-end smartphones and these will most certainly not ship with Nougat on board.