Android 4.4 is continuing to grow but is still lagging behind older versions

Android 4.4 KitKat has been steadily gaining market share as new devices are introduced with the operating system, and as OEMs and carriers issue updates to older devices. The latest version of Android is now installed on 13.6 percent of all Android devices, as of June 4, according to new data published by Google. That’s up from just a 2.5 percent install base back in March and up about 5 percent since last month. The figures were likely boosted thanks to the introduction of several new flagships, including the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One (M8) and even most recently the LG G3. Low-cost devices that attract larger audiences, like the Motorola Moto E, Moto G and Moto X, are also likely still contributing to the increase in KitKat’s install base. 

Google has posted its latest Android distribution numbers on its developers site, revealing huge growth for Android 4.4 KitKat, compared to previous months. Even so, KitKat adoption is still lagging behind older operating systems, an ecosystem “feature” Apple highlighted during the WWDC 2014 opening keynote. Data collected during a 7-day period ending on June 4 revealed that KitKat is now on 13.6% of Android devices, up from 8.5% in early May. That percentage is still smaller than Gingerbread’s, which is at 14.9% (down from 16.2% in the previous period), and just 1.3% more than Ice Cream Sandwich, currently at 12.3% (down from 13.4% the previous month). Jelly Bean is still the king of the Android ecosystem, with a combined 58.4% share for early June, down from 60.8% a month before. Of the Jelly Bean versions still running on Android smartphones and tablets, the almost two-year old Android 4.1 is on half of them. One notable change is that Google’s ancient tablet-only Honeycomb Android version has disappeared for good from its monthly reports.