More than 80% of iPhones use the latest system. Androids lag far behind

Do you think iPhones or Androids are better in terms of operating system up-to-dateness? Probably even the biggest Android fans will agree that smartphones from Apple and it is indeed so. Web 9To5Mac reports that it is currently the current version iOS 16 installed in the case 81% actively used iPhones. The latest Android doesn’t even come close to that percentage. What are the causes?

The vast majority of iPhones use the latest software

Apple developer site points out that until 81% of active iPhones runs on the operating system iOS 16, which is currently the latest. We should see the announcement of the beta version soon iOS 17. iOS 16 uses up to 90% of new iPhonesstarting with the iPhone 11 series.

The last generation iOS 15 is located at 13 % devices and only 6 % uses some older version. When it comes to iPads, 71 % has the current one installed iPadOS 16, 20% iPadOS 15 a 9 % tablets has an older version installed.

How is Android?

The latest stable version of our popular operating system is Android 13. The latter is compared to devices from Apple installed on only a meager number of phones, approx 12% mobiles. Android 11 is the most usedwhich was released yet in 2020. Many smartphones in active use do not even have the latest security patches installed. But why is there such a striking difference in the topicality of both platforms?

Why is Apple with iOS up-to-date and leaps and bounds ahead?

The first and probably the most important reason is that Apple manufactures iPhones himself and also takes care of software development himself. It releases an average of only 4 phones per year and thus has less to worry about updating individual models. He can thus afford to release security updates even for very old smartphones, while Android smartphone manufacturers have to keep up with updating dozens of this year’s models and updates for older generations tend to be delayed. In worse cases, smaller companies will end software support prematurely.

It releases new versions of Android itself Google. The first smartphones to receive the latest software are the models Google Pixel. Google must make the source code for the new Android available to other manufacturers who need it optimize for the hardware used by them and usually implement their own on top of that graphic superstructure s additional functions a specific properties. This process usually very lengthyresulting in several weeks to months delayed arrival of a major update. However, it is a tax for being able to choose a smartphone from different manufacturers with different parameters and above all from all price categories.

After the end of software support, the user can be happy to receive a security update once every three months. New functionalities, however as a rule, it will not last longer. Today, the situation is better, especially when it comes to more expensive models and smartphones from well-known names such as companies Samsung, Xiaomi, HONOR whether OPPO (and others). They offer up to five-year support for security patches and three-year or even up to four-year support to the version of the Android operating system.

Another important factor is price of Android devices. She is average significantly lower compared to iPhones, which in most cases have a premium price tag. The manufacturer of a cheaper Android smartphone simply may not have the funds or the staff to keep its software up-to-date and will rather focus on customers who have paid more for a more premium device.

Several factors play a role

There are many reasons why iPhones are better at software updates than Androids. However, one big advantage is on the Android side, and that is the developer community that deals with development alternative ROMs. They can bring them the latest operating system even for mobile phones that are several years old. Most users won’t be able to install an alternate ROM, but those who care about the latest security patches and additional features from newer versions of Android are likely to go for it.