Android versions comparison

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2012-05-06 21:51:47

Android platform

Android is a software stack that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. While Google is the main actor which comes to mind, the Open Handset Alliance also collaborates on Android's development and release. The operating system is based on the Linux kernel, the specific versions depends on the platform version and is given in the table below.

Phones / Tablets

There was previously two flavors of the platform. One targeted for small screens mainly mobile phones (all versions below 3.0), and one dedicated for tablets: Honeycomb Android 3.0. However not all Android tablets support this version (some tablets use the Android 2.x).

The new version of the platform fusion these two variants to have a more versatile and uniform platform. "Ice Cream Sandwich", which has been released in october 2011. Is the first version to combine "Gingerbread" and "Honeycomb" versions in a cohesive platform for tablets and phones at the same time.

Note: The market share figures are based on statistics using API level, so the percentage might gather several versions of the Android platform.

Related comparisons:

http://socialcompare.com/en/comparison/mobile-os-comparison-developer-view
http://socialcompare.com/en/comparison/android-3-honeycomb-tablets

The following comparison list the main differences between each versions of the android platform. Do not hesitate to contribute or comment to make this table as accurate as possible.

Video tourRelease dateKey features addedVersion nameAndroid market shareScreen size supportAPI LevelFlash support
Android 4.0.42012-03-28
  • stability improvements
  • better camera performance
  • smoother screen rotation
Ice Cream Sandwich4.4 % (4.0.3 - 4.0.4)15Yes
Android 4.0.32011-12-16
  • Social stream API in Contacts provider to show updates associated to your contacts
  • Video stabilization and QVGA video resolution API access
  • Accessibility API refinements for screen readers
  • Calendar provider updates
Ice Cream Sandwich15Yes
Android 4.0.22011-11-28Minor fixesIce Cream Sandwich0.5 % (4.0.1 - 4.0.2)14Yes
Android 4.0.1http://youtu.be/-F_ke3rxopc2011-10-19
  • Facial recognition (Face Unlock)
  • UI use Hardware acceleration
  • Better voice recognition (dictating/Voice typing)
  • Web browser, allows up to 16 tabs
  • Updated launcher (customizable)
  • Android Beam app to exchange data through NFC
  • Resizeable widgets
Ice Cream Sandwich14Yes
Android 3.2.62012-02-15Minor fixesHoneycomb2.2 % (3.2 - 3.2.6)13Yes
Android 3.2.42011-12-15Added "Pay as you go" for tabletsHoneycomb13Yes
Android 3.2.22011-09-30Minor fixesHoneycomb13Yes
Android 3.2.12011-09-20
  • Android Market updates including easier automatic updates
  • Google Books updates
  • Wi-Fi improvements
  • Chinese handwriting prediction improved
Honeycomb13Yes
Android 3.22011-07-15
  • Optimizations for a wider range of tablets
  • Compatibility display mode (zoom for fixed-sized apps)
  • Media sync from SD card
Honeycomb13Yes
Android 3.12011-05-10
  • UI improvements
  • Open Accessory API
  • USB host API
  • Mice, joysticks, gamepads... support
  • Resizable Home screen widgets
  • MTP notifications
  • RTP API for audio
Honeycomb1 %12Yes
Android 3.0http://youtu.be/RfJuigJebRg2011-02-22
  • Multi core support
  • Better tablet support
  • Updated 3D UI
  • Google Talk video chat
  • Google eBooks
  • "Private browsing"
Honeycomb0.1 %11Yes
Android 2.3.7
  • Google Wallet support for the Nexus S 4G
Gingerbread63.9 % (2.3.3 - 2.3.7)10Yes
Android 2.3.6
  • Voice search issue fixed
Gingerbread10Yes
Android 2.3.52011-07-25
  • Improved network performance for the Nexus S 4G
  • Fixed Bluetooth issues on the Samsung Galaxy S
  • Gmail app. improvements
Gingerbread10Yes
Android 2.3.42011-05-10
  • Open Accessory API
  • Voice or video chat using Google Talk
Gingerbread10Yes
Android 2.3.32011-02-09
  • NFC API improvements (peer to peer communication...)
Gingerbread10Yes
Android 2.3http://youtu.be/Jx3pdWBlZ342010-12-06
  • Updated UI
  • WebM video playback capability
  • Improved copy/paste
  • Social networking features
  • Near Field Communication support
  • Native VoIP/SIP support
  • Video call support
Gingerbread0.5 % (2.3 - 2.3.2)1366×768 WXGA9Yes
Android 2.2http://youtu.be/yAZYSVr2Bhc2010-05-20
  • Speed improvements
  • JIT implementation
  • USB Tethering
  • Applications installation to the expandable memory
  • Upload file support in the browser
  • Animated GIFs
Froyo20.9 %800×480 WVGA8Yes 10.1
Android 2.12010-01-12
  • Updated UI
Eclair5.5 % (2.0 - 2.1)800×480 WVGA7No Flash Lite 4 on some device
Android 2.0.12009-12-03Eclair800×480 WVGA6No Flash Lite 4 on some device
Android 2.0http://youtu.be/opZ69P-0Jbc2009-10-26
  • HTML
  • Digital zoom
  • Microsoft Exchange support
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Live Wallpapers
  • Updated UI
Eclair800×480 WVGA5No Flash Lite 4 on some device
Android 1.6http://youtu.be/MBRFkLKRwFw2009-09-15
  • Gesture framework
  • Turn-by-turn navigation
Donut0.7 %800×480 WVGA4No Flash Lite 4 on some device
Android 1.5http://youtu.be/zpfQISmjmVs2009-04-30
  • Bluetooth A2DP, AVRCP support
  • Soft-keyboard with text-prediction
  • Record/watch videos
Cupcake0.3 %320x480 HVGA3No Flash Lite 4 on some device
Android 1.12009-02-09Banana bread320x480 HVGA2No
Android 1.02008-09-23Apple pie320x480 HVGA1No
Android 0.92008-08-18320x480 HVGANo
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