Android distribution numbers for Q4 of 2015 are here, and some changes can be spotted already! The updates inside the Android ecosystem are small but expected, considering the launch of Marshmallow and its slightly increasing influence. Marshmallow sits now on 0.5% of Android devices while Android Lollipop is closing in on KitKat at 29.5% of the market.
KitKat is still king of the Android world, owning 36.6% of devices. Jelly Bean has seen a drop from 29 to 26.9% of the market and Ice Cream Sandwich is down to 2.9% from 3.3%. Gingerbread (3.4%) and Froyo (0.2%) are still on positions but will soon be phased out.
If you want to see more about the Android OS development and version numbers, you can check out the source link below.
GravityBox released a Marshmallow-compatible version earlier today. The all-in-one toolkit from Xposed Framework is available as a separate app in order to let older OS versions devices use it as well. The older versions will keep being available to users with devices that run on JellyBean, KitKat and Lollipop.
The GravityBox Xposed module has some of the most important and utilitarian tweaks for Android including changes for the status bar, launcher, lockscreen, Navigation bar and dialer. This new version will not include any new features, but that should not change anyone’s experience. There are some things missing at the moment, like QuickSettings tiles, but the overall experience is very similar to the Lollipop version.
Android OS distribution numbers are out and it appears that Lollipop is becoming more and more popular among Android users. Google finally released its files and the results are as expected. Android 6.0 Marshmallow just got on the market and is not on these spreadsheets, but Lollipop still remains the star of the show, at least for now.
Lollipop owns 23.5 percent of the market right now, and it comprises versions 5.0 and 5.1 as well. This OS version had the fastest and steadiest growth of all updates by managing to double its numbers every other month or so. Every other OS is slowly and steadily going down at the moment, even Android 4.3 KitKat, whose decline started in May. It is still holding its ground and top position in the Android OS game with 38.9 percent of the pie charts.
Jelly Bean is still holding strong on its three versions, collectively owning 30 percent of the market. The oldest Android OS version that just doesn’t seem to quit yet is 2.2 Froyo, who still owns 0.2 percent of the market. These are definitely its final days on the planet though.
Come next quarter revelations, a new player will be added to that list. It will be Marshmallow, or Android 6.0. We will have to see if its adoption will be as rapid as Lollipop’s. Since the overall response from manufacturers when it comes to the new Android OS version was slow, it may take a while for the market to respond as well. Google does not seem to push this new OS too much, but since the era of fingerprint scanner smartphones is upon us, the transition to Marshmallow will not take too long.
Huawei recently announced the Ascend P8 Lite, a mid-range device that should compete with the Moto G on the US market. This phone costs around $250 and it is available on Huawei’s official store in black or white and there are no signs that it will be backed by carriers because the manufacturer doesn’t want this.
Ascend P8 Lite is a decent mid-range device with attractive looks and the usual specs for this range. Here they are as follows:
5” display at 720p
Snapdragon 615 processor
2 GB of RAM
13MP rear camera with F/2.2 lens
5MP front camera
16 GB storage plus MicroSD slot
2200 mAh battery.
The device redeems any lack in specs with its slim unibody design and quasi-inexistent bezels. The smartphone presents LTE 2, 4, 5, 12 and 17 support, which means it is compatible with T Mobile and AT&T services. It comes running on Android 4.4 spruced with Huawei’s EMUI skin. Not a bad deal, even if it may not be the exact best for the price.
[box type=”shadow”]Huawei Brings Great Design within Reach with New Unlocked P8 lite Smartphone
New unlocked purchase benefits make P8 lite and other Huawei unlocked devices even more attractive
PLANO, Texas [June 3, 2015]: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology solutions provider, today launched the Huawei P8 lite in the U.S., making it possible for U.S. consumers to have premium design and features at an accessible price. Available for just $249.99 USD, the P8 lite will be available as an unlocked device, giving consumers the option to take their phone to the network* of their choice.
“With a perfect balance of style, functionality and value, the P8 lite gives consumers a premium yet easily accessible device and experience,” said Mr. Zhiqiang Xu, President of Huawei Device USA. “We are expanding our smartphone, wearable and tablet portfolio to meet U.S. consumers’ needs and are committed to delivering the right devices at the right prices with a tremendous consumer experience.”
Accessible Design
With design and craftsmanship inspired by the company’s premium global flagship devices, Huawei P8 lite’s ultra-slim 7.7mm profile and thin bezels make it perfectly compact and well-balanced in the hand. Demonstrating sophisticated design and quality craftsmanship, the metallic appearance of the phone’s back panel is achieved through a layered design of contrasting hues and a hand-crafted satin coating that feels smooth to touch, but glimmers in direct light.
Accessible Technology
The P8 lite isn’t just beautiful— it’s also elegantly functional. The 5-inch HD Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 display is designed for visual clarity and utmost durability. The 13 megapixel rear camera has built-in low light and autofocus capabilities which, along with the multi-frame noise reduction algorithm, ensure photos are clearer and brighter.
In addition to the solid camera performance and streamlined design, the Huawei P8 offers:
Ultra-fast 4G LTE connectivity with support for all US GSM LTE bands
Intuitive and easy-to-use Emotion UI 3.0 interface
2200mAh battery with ultra-power saving mode
Unique photo capture options including: All Focus: Change the focal point of saved images
Ultra Snapshot: access the camera instantly, even from sleep mode
5 megapixel front-facing camera
Dual-SIM/SIM+Expandable MicroSD up to 32GB
Transforming the Unlocked Experience
With the launch of the P8 lite, Huawei is transforming consumers’ unlocked purchase experience. While more than 42 percent1 of consumers use or intend to purchase an unlocked device, there are still significant barriers that give consumers pause or reason to lack confidence. Among the leading roadblocks to purchasing an unlocked device are concerns about after-sales service, phone price and sales channels2. Huawei is addressing all of these concerns by introducing new benefits throughout the unlocked device purchase process.
Huawei is introducing a new two-year warranty on unlocked smartphones launched this year, including the SnapTo, introduced in April, and the all new P8 lite. Consumers need only register at GetHuawei.com to receive the warranty’s benefits for an extended term. The two-year warranty joins Huawei’s already strong commitment to post-purchase support, with local customer service, localized repair and a variety of contact channels for consumers.
Though the unlocked purchase model provides more freedom and choice, there is still an up-front cost for the device. Huawei is removing device sticker shock and giving consumers more flexible payment options by partnering with financial services leader Affirm. Now, consumers who purchase devices on www.GetHuawei.com have the option to select fixed installment plans of three, six and 12-months at the point of sale for device purchases of $99 or more. And once a purchase is made, consumers can have the confidence that it will arrive as promised and with easily accessible customer support thanks to Huawei’s partnership with trusted fulfillment provider Amazon.
“With the introduction of new unlocked benefits and with close collaboration from our valued partners, Huawei is taking the next step forward to make buying a quality unlocked device worry-free for consumers,” said Xu. “At Huawei, we are committed to not only delivering great devices at the right price, but also the services and support that let consumers purchase our products with confidence.”
Availability
P8 lite is available beginning today, June 3, through Huawei’s ecommerce site, GetHuawei.com,Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, B&H in-store and online, Fry’s Electronics in-store and online and various dealer networks. P8 lite will also be coming soon to select Best Buy stores.
In celebration of GetHuawei.com’s one-year anniversary, consumers who are registered or register on the website between June 3 and June 6will receive promotional incentives good for discounts on select products, including the newly launched P8 lite, Mate2 and SnapTo.
LG just announced four new mid-ranged phones that look similar and taste similar. None of them seems to be the next LG G3 though, but they will all launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop, if that makes you feel better. Let’s see who they are and what they pack:
LG Spirit
[box type=”shadow”]
Display: 4.7-inch HD (312 ppi)
Chipset: 1.2GHz or 1.3GHz Quad-Core
Camera: 8MP or 5MP* / 1MP
Memory: 8GB / 1GB
Battery: 2,100mAh
OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Network: LTE Cat. 4 / HSPA+ 21Mbps
Size: 133.3 x 66.1 x 9.9mm
[/box]
LG Magna
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Display: 5.0-inch HD (294 ppi)
Chipset: 1.2GHz or 1.3GHz Quad-Core
Camera: Rear 8MP or 5MP* / Front 5MP
Memory: 8GB / 1GB
Battery: 2,540mAh (removable)
OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Network: LTE Cat. 4 / HSPA+ 21Mbps
Size: 139.7 x 69.9 x 10.2mm
[/box]
LG Joy
[box type=”shadow”]
Display: 4.0-inch WVGA (233 ppi)
Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core /1.2GHz Dual-Core
Camera: 5MP / VGA
Memory: 8GB or 4GB*/1GB or 512MB
OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop /Android 4.4 KitKat
Battery: 1,900mAh
Network: LTE Cat. 4 / HSPA+ 21Mbps
Size: 122.7 x 64.0 x 11.9mm
[/box]
LG Leon
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Display: 4.5-inch FWVGA (220 ppi)
Chipset: 1.2GHz or 1.3GHz Quad-Core
Camera: Rear 8MP or 5MP* / Front VGA
Memory: 8GB / 1GB
Battery: 1,900mAh (removable)
OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Network: LTE Cat. 4 / HSPA+ 21Mbps
Size: 129.9 x 64.9 x 10.9mm
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The devices keep an LG vibe to them with the rear-facing buttons and the narrow bezels with on-screen navigation. LG Joy, the cheapest of the bunch, has buttons on the side and capacitive navigation buttons. Pricing and availability are not available yet, but they will probably be targeted at developing markets all around the world.
Samsung Galaxy Core Prime is headed to Verizon no sooner than February 26th. This strangely named device that sounds like coming from a sci-fi movie will be available on-contract for $8 a month on Verizon Edge, which means it will be around $200 full price. As you could expect, this device is not very exciting, albeit for its name.
Galaxy Core Prime specs:
[box type=”shadow”]OS
Android 4.4 KitKat (will be upgraded to Android Lollipop with a future software update)
Display
4.5-inch WVGA display
Processor
1.2 GHz quad-core processor
Storage
8 GB internal storage (formatted capacity is less)
Supports up to a 128GB microSD card (sold separately)
More Everything customers receive 25GB cloud storage on Verizon Cloud at no additional charge
Battery
2000mAh[/box]
Samsung Galaxy Core Prime comes with Android KitKAt 4.4 and with the promise of an upgrade to Lollipop soon. What you are getting is a 4.5” WVGA display with a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and 8 GB of internal storage with the possibility of upgrading it up to 128 GB on a microSD. You’ll also get 2 cameras! Not that exciting, huh? Well, if you don’t need a powerhouse in your hands and just a decent smartphone, you got it!
