Usage statistics of Android are always an interesting read – versions from years ago always seem to stick around on the chart refusing to die. That’s not what’s interesting about the statistics, what is interesting is the number of devices running the latest Android Marshmallow software version compared to how the latest version of the opposition is doing, iOS 9.

According to Apteligent, Android Marshmallow has been growing significantly since the beginning of 2016, jumping from 0.67% of the Android share to 4.7% on February 21st. However, compare that to iOS 9, which after the same period of 4 months, was sat at 79% adoption, but why?

Screen Shot 2016-03-03 at 2.13.31 PM

Android updates are always hampered by OEM and carriers who need to add their ‘touch’ or approval to the update. This introduces a significant delay that iOS simply doesn’t have, as Apple can push the update directly to their devices through their Developer Program or Public Beta Program.

Although Android saw a 7-times increase in the devices Marshmallow was installed on, it is still a long way to challenge the superior adoption rate of iOS.

Could it be the more compelling reasons to update to new versions of iOS? Is Google to blame for not showcasing the importance and new features of an update? Or is it purely down to the delay that the carrier and OEM’s introduce?

Drop us a comment below to let us know your thoughts.

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7 COMMENTS

  1. For me and nearly everyone I know, it is purely down to the delay that the carrier and OEM’s introduce. Many would be happy to have the latest version of the OS but simply can’t get it because it’s not available for their device. This is exactly why I love the Nexus line. Because it removes that delay and I get that “iOS” experience that the article talks about where Google pushes the updates directly to my phone as soon as they are available.

  2. Exactly as Scott has stated. Google needs to take control and cut the carriers and OEMs out of the process.

  3. It’s only us geeks who worry about having the latest version of android. Some people I know have turned off automatic updates as they associate updates with new bugs, they are familiar with the version it’s shipped with and any change they hate as it means they have to learn how to do things again which they hate. As long as the phone works for them it’s not an issue for anyone. My wife has lollipop on her phone and although Marshmallow update is available as one of the apps she wants has got issues with Marshmallow she is happy to continue with lollipop, and frankly I don’t think it makes a huge difference.

  4. This kind of article is getting old. First of all, it happens EVERY YEAR. Secondly, we have heard from Google many times that they are ok with the current situation, and won’t make major changes to how the ecosystem works. Thirdly, isn’t the more interesting thing being how the iOS manages to get only 79% of adoption rate when the entire update mechanism is controlled by Apple?

  5. Yeah, this comparison is getting quite hold. Completely different markets so comparing them out of misplaced wishful thinking is pointless. Even better, the Nexus line is finally becoming a quality product for consumers. If you’re like me and don’t like all the carrier bloat, buy Nexus or devices with pure (or almost pure) Android. Of course there is the root and custom ROM route for the more tech minded folks as well. Not all of us yearn for a walled garden.

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