Google has revealed that there are currently over 18,000 different Android devices available globally.
That’s a staggering figure, but it’s not hugely surprising; Android has long been the dominant mobile platform in terms of market share.
As of January, Android handsets accounted for some 81 per cent of mobile devices worldwide.
What’s more, the platform saw 1 billion Google-powered smartphones ship in 2014 alone.
Google confirmed the number of handset variations in a new internal memo – as reported by re/code (via PhoneArena) – sent out to employees regarding recent legal issues in the EU over anti-competitive practices.
The search engine giant’s operating system’s huge fragmentation has been a topic of contention for many years.
Apple’s iOS, by comparison, operates on a significantly smaller number of devices. This makes it much easier to roll out software updates, for instance.
Android users, meanwhile, often struggle to get their hands on the latest Google-sanctioned software.
This is highlighted by Google’s latest developer figures, which revealed that the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop OS currently powers just 5.4 per cent of Android devices.
Apple’s iOS 8, meanwhile, runs on 77 per cent of compatible handsets, which is significantly higher.
Related: Best Android Smartphones 2015
The upside of Android is that there’s a huge amount of choice on the platform, with countless manufacturers all producing their own handset variations.
It’s also worth mentioning that Android isn’t limited to smartphones. You’ll find Google’s OS on tablets, wearables, streaming sticks, TVs, and much more.
How many of the 18,000 Android devices have you had your hands on? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
