It’s that time of the month, when Google releases the device statistics for the previous months, these statistics act as a guide for developers in telling them which versions of Android show the most amount of users and therefore where they should be targeting their applications. Remember that last month Google changed the way the data was collected, the data is now based on ‘data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play Store’ rather than just a device checking in to the Google Servers.
So, what is the news for this month? Well, it appears that Jelly Bean continues its climb to the top with version 4.1 climbing 3%, probably partly attributable to the HTC One launch late in the month. 4.2 barely saw a rise however this may change next month with the more widespread release of the Galaxy S4 running 4.2. The good news is that Gingerbread numbers continue to fall and soon Jelly Bean could take the crown of the most dominant version of Android, although with rumours of 4.3 Jelly Bean beginning to circulate this could add to a bit of confusion for developers.
| Android Version | March | April |
| 1.6 (Donut) | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| 2.1(Eclair) | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| 2.2(Froyo) | 4.0% | 3.7% |
| 2.3-2.3.2(Gingerbread) | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| 2.3.3-2.3.7(Gingerbread) | 39.7% | 38.4% |
| 3.2(HoneyComb) | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| 4.0.3-4.0.4(Ice Cream Sandwich) | 29.3% | 27.5% |
| 4.1(Jelly Bean) | 23.0% | 26.1% |
| 4.2(Jelly Bean) | 2.0% | 2.3% |
The rest of the numbers including Donut, Gingerbread(2.3-2.3.2) and Honeycomb are basically becoming minor statistical blips which is great for pushing ahead the platform, perhaps HTC Dream owners should leave their devices off for this month and see if it can’t be removed altogether.
What are your thoughts on the Android Distribution numbers this month?
Gingerbread is still pumping out the numbers. Ridiculous.
Some people hold onto their older phones. Nothing bad about it.
That’s not what I was implying. I have 4 old phones in my room, 5 now including my S3 (Nexus 4 arrived today) I just dislike that all these phones that continually seem to get released on gingerbread.
Are there any still being released with Gingerbread?
Lot’s of low end phones do.