Android 7 Nougat marked a turning point in the evolution of Google's mobile operating system. Its arrival brought with it numerous new features, optimizations, and functions requested by users. However, the rollout of this version brought one of the platform's long-standing challenges back to the forefront: fragmentation . We analyze in depth the adoption, fragmentation, improvements, and impact of Nougat on the Android ecosystem, along with the importance of updates and the factors that affect the deployment of the latest versions.
Persistent Android Fragmentation: Numbers and Context
Fragmentation in Android is a phenomenon characterized by the coexistence, for extended periods, of multiple versions of the operating system active on millions of devices. In the specific case of Android 7 Nougat , despite introducing significant improvements, its initial adoption rate fell far short of expectations, and its expansion was very slow compared to the evolution of iOS, Apple's operating system.
According to data gathered from multiple specialized websites and official sources, even several months after its release, Android 7 Nougat barely reached a market share of less than 3% of all Android devices . The figures gradually improved, but adoption remained modest, hovering around 10-15% after a full version lifecycle. By comparison, previous versions like Marshmallow and Lollipop continued to be the most widespread, capturing much higher percentages.
- Android 6 Marshmallow: exceeded 30% market share at its peak.
- Android 5 Lollipop: occupied about 30-35% of the total number of devices.
- Android 7 Nougat: Despite the passage of time, its initial penetration was slow, reaching around 10-15% after its first year.
- Even older versions: KitKat, Jelly Bean and others still maintained a significant volume of users.
Root causes of fragmentation in Android
The persistence of different active versions stems from the multitude of manufacturers, models, and diverse update policies . While Google develops and releases the latest version of Android, manufacturers often need extra time to adapt, customize, and certify the system on their specific devices, especially if they include their own custom interfaces or modifications (as is the case with Samsung, Xiaomi, LG, Huawei, and others).
Furthermore, many manufacturers prioritize launching new models over updating older devices, meaning many older phones never receive the latest official versions . This, combined with regional fragmentation, the influence of carriers, and the enormous variety of product ranges (from budget phones to high-end models), creates considerable dispersion, making it difficult to standardize the Android ecosystem.
Updates: Differences with iOS and the Role of Manufacturers
Unlike Android, Apple's iOS system doesn't suffer from the same level of fragmentation, as Apple controls both hardware and software and rolls out updates simultaneously to all compatible devices. At the height of Nougat's popularity, iOS achieved adoption rates above 80% for its most recent versions, demonstrating a much more efficient update cycle.
On Android, updates depend on the manufacturer and model , and only Google devices, such as the Pixel series (and formerly Nexus), enjoy priority and direct access to new versions. Other users have to wait months or may never receive the latest patches or features.
Main new features and technical improvements in Android 7 Nougat
Despite slow adoption, Android 7 Nougat introduced a wide range of technical innovations and user experience improvements , including:
- Improved multitasking mode: It was incorporated for the first time native split screen, allowing you to run two applications simultaneously and improve productivity on compatible phones and tablets.
- Grouped and interactive notifications: A renewed system that group notifications by app, allowing you to reply to messages directly from the notification curtain without opening the app.
- Improved Doze for battery saving: The energy optimization mode has been improved, extending battery life even when the device is moving or in standby mode.
- Data Saver Mode: New feature to save mobile data by restricting background traffic of non-essential apps.
- Vulkan API Support: Graphics enhancement that enables games and applications with advanced 3D graphics thanks to the Vulkan API.
- Background updates: A system of was introduced A/B updates on some devices that allowed patches and updates to be installed more smoothly and securely, inspired by Chrome OS management.
- Daydream Support: First integration of Google's official virtual reality platform, but only for compatible devices.
- Revamped JIT compiler: Reduction in app code size and improved installation and update speed.
These and other features have served as the foundation for subsequent versions of Android to continue evolving toward a more powerful, secure, and efficient system.
Fragmentation, security, and the challenge of updates
One of the biggest risks of low adoption of newer versions like Android 7 is exposure to vulnerabilities and malware. Each update includes important security patches that fix critical system errors. A device running an older version is therefore much more vulnerable to attacks, viruses, and privacy breaches.
According to data from various sources, millions of Android users operate with versions that do not receive security updates , posing a challenge for both Google and app developers, who must decide whether to maintain support for insecure devices or focus on newer versions.
It's not just a matter of new features: user security depends heavily on how quickly manufacturers release the patches that Google distributes regularly. Fragmentation slows down this process and leaves a significant percentage of devices vulnerable.
The role of developers and users in the face of fragmentation
Fragmentation directly impacts developers' work , forcing them to adapt their applications to a wide range of versions and configurations, increasing complexity and maintenance costs. Google attempts to mitigate this with tools like Google Play Services, allowing certain features to be updated independently of the system, but the fragmentation across complete versions persists.
For their part, users often don't know which version of Android they're using or the importance of updating. Furthermore, the habit of only changing phones when the old one stops working or becomes unusable contributes to devices with outdated systems remaining in use for years.
- Recommended periodically check the Android version installed and consider upgrading to a newer model if the manufacturer stops offering support.
- The use of Custom ROMs (such as LineageOS or similar) has become popular as an alternative to update older devices not officially supported.
Differences between official updates, exclusives, and ROMs
Currently, although Google develops Android, many manufacturers apply customization layers and modifications, which means that updates don't always arrive uniformly or include all the promised features. For example, exclusive features like some advanced options in Nougat 7.1 were initially reserved for devices like the Pixel, while other smartphones, even Nexus devices, received a less complete version.
It's not uncommon for some tools, smart assistants, or specific enhancements to be limited by model, further creating disparity within the Android ecosystem. Fortunately, thanks to the community and alternative developments, in most cases there are alternatives such as launchers or ROMs that allow some of these features to be replicated on other devices.
Google and the future of Android updates
Google has made attempts to accelerate the adoption cycle and simplify the update process with initiatives like Project Treble , a modular system design that allows both Google and manufacturers to more easily update the core system without affecting specific drivers and components. Learn more about Android Nougat and its impact.
Additionally, Google sets deadlines for manufacturers to certify and release devices with older versions of Android. For example, once a new version is established, it's no longer possible to release new certified devices with older versions, forcing the transition and accelerating the abandonment of outdated versions.
However, the hardware diversity and freedom that characterizes Android continue to be factors that prevent complete standardization, at least in the short and medium term.
