Have you ever wondered how many people around the world are actually using the newest Android version on their phones? Like yeah, you hear buzz about Android versions rolling out, but when you actually stop and wonder who’s got the latest and greatest… it’s kinda surprising sometimes. So let’s dive into what’s going on with Android’s distribution numbers, how Android 16 is doing, why this matters to you, and what all these version percentages really mean in the big picture.
Here’s the main headline you’re targeting:
Google has updated Android’s distribution numbers again, this time revealing that Android 16 is already on 7.5 % of devices, with the numbers having shuffled considerably since the previous update. Android distribution numbers are updated sporadically, with the last update having been released in April 2025. At the time, just prior to Samsung’s Android 15 rollout, 27.4 % devices were running Android 14, with a mere 4.5 % running Android 15. The latest update is based on data from December 1, 2025, and comes after Android 16 has been relatively widely rolled out to Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and many other Android lineups, at least in terms of higher-end devices. As it stands currently, Android 16 is on 7.5 % of devices. This latest update also removed Android 4.4 KitKat from the list.
Sounds techy and dry at first blush but once you unpack it… there’s a lot of story behind those percentages. Let’s walk through it in a human-friendly way.
Why Android distribution numbers matter to you
When you’re picking a phone, developing an app, or even just curious about tech trends, Android distribution data gives you a snapshot of what versions people are really using. It tells you which OS versions are being adopted, which ones are fading away, and how fast Google and manufacturers are pushing updates to users. This stuff isn’t just geek talk — it shapes:
• how developers plan updates,
• whether your favorite apps get new features,
• whether your phone is secure,
• and even how future Android features are designed.
So when Android 16 hits 7.5 % of devices, that’s worth attention. It shows how quickly the newest version is spreading and what the overall landscape looks like right now.
What Android distribution numbers say today
Here’s the big picture from the very latest report (data up to December 1, 2025):
| Android Version | Percentage of Devices |
|---|---|
| Android 16 | 7.5 % |
| Android 15 | 19.3 % |
| Android 14 | 17.2 % |
| Android 13 | 13.9 % |
| Android 12 | 11.4 % |
| Android 11 | 13.7 % |
| Android 10 | 7.8 % |
| Android 9 / Pie | 4.5 % |
| Android 8.1 / Oreo | 2.3 % |
| Android 8 / Oreo | 0.8 % |
| Android 7-7.1 | 0.8 % |
| Android 6 / Marshmallow | 0.4 % |
| Android 5-5.1 | 0.4 % |
Android 4.4 KitKat is no longer in the list because its share dropped below the threshold for reporting.
So yeah — Android 15 is currently the most popular version out there on the market, but Android 16 is catching up.
What’s changed since the last numbers
The prior data came from April 2025, when the scene looked a bit different:
Android 14 had 27.4 % of devices
Android 15 was just 4.5 % of the total
Android 16 hadn’t even registered yet because it was just rolling out.
So from that snapshot in spring to the fresh stats from December, we’ve seen a pretty noticeable shift. Android 15 nearly quadrupled its share, and Android 16 has climbed up fast enough to hit 7.5 % adoption worldwide. That’s actually a solid climb given how staggered updates can be among different manufacturers.
Why Android 16 adoption matters
You might be thinking “Okay that’s neat but who really cares about a number?” But these percentages are a real reflection of how updates are rolling out across the ecosystem.
Here’s what matters out loud:
Android OEMs don’t all update at the same pace. Google Pixel phones usually get updates first. Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Nothing, and others push theirs later and sometimes in stages.
Newer versions bring new features, security patches, performance improvements, and long-term support. The faster more devices jump on Android 16, the better overall security and feature consistency across millions of phones.
Developers watch these numbers for compatibility decisions. If a version is becoming popular, it makes more sense to build apps that leverage its features. If a version lingers below adoption thresholds, developers may not prioritize its capabilities.
So hitting 7.5 % isn’t tiny — it’s actually a sign of real momentum for the newest release.
Android 16 — what’s new and why it’s worth updating
If you’re curious what Android 16 actually brings, beyond the numbers, here are a few highlights that people care about:
• Better performance and smoother animations
• Enhanced privacy and security controls
• More refined system UI features
• Improved power efficiency
• Developer tools for better app behavior
These kinds of improvements are what push adoption forward — manufacturers and users alike want the benefits. But historically, Android updates have been slower to spread because each brand layers on its own software. That’s why numbers like 7.5 % show progress and the reality of fragmentation.
The elephant in the room — fragmentation
Android has long had a reputation for fragmentation. That just means there are so many versions in use at once that developers and users can never agree on a single place to be.
Look at the spread right now — versions from Android 10 up to Android 16 are all holding real percentages. That’s wild when you think about how updates roll:
Some old phones simply never get updates.
Some mid-range devices only see major updates after a long delay.
Some budget phones stay on older versions forever because OEM support stops.
Fragmentation matters because:
• App developers have to support more versions
• Security patch distribution becomes inconsistent
• Users with older versions miss out on new tech
This pattern isn’t new, but these ongoing distribution stats remind you just how diverse the Android world still is.
What this means for you as a user or developer
If you’re a casual user, these numbers mean:
Your phone may or may not be on Android 16 yet — depending on brand and model.
If Android 15 or 14 feels solid on your device, that’s normal.
Getting on Android 16 might be worth it for features if your phone supports it.
If you’re a developer:
Data like this helps you decide what versions to target for app compatibility.
The rising share of Android 16 suggests planning for its APIs and features is worthwhile.
But don’t ignore versions with bigger market share just yet. Android 15 and 14 still dominate significantly.
Common confusion around Android versions
People often mix up version numbers and what they really mean. So let’s clear up a few things:
• Android version vs OS name:
Android versions like 16, 15, 14 are release numbers. The old Cupcake, Oreo, Pie names are mostly legacy labels used in dev circles.
• Distribution numbers aren’t daily stats:
Google doesn’t update these every week or month. They come out sporadically based on data samples. That’s why the jump from April to December feels dramatic — updates dropped in between but weren’t reflected until December.
• Market share vs adoption:
“On 7.5 % of devices” doesn’t mean 7.5 % of new phones sold — it means at that moment in time, 7.5 % of all active Android devices are running that version. That’s a messy but real measurement.
Frequently asked questions about Android distribution numbers
What do distribution numbers track exactly
They show which Android OS versions are installed across devices that connect to the Google Play ecosystem. The data is sampled over a period and reported periodically.
Why is Android 15 more popular than Android 16 right now
Because Android 15 had a head start and broader rollout earlier. Android 16 is still spreading across devices, especially outside Google’s own Pixel lineup.
Does this affect app compatibility
Yes. Developers look at these stats to decide which version features they can safely use without excluding too many users.
Will Android 16 adoption continue to rise
Almost certainly. As more devices from major brands get that update, the share will grow bigger over the coming months and years.
The bottom line
This distribution report isn’t just dry numbers on a chart — it’s a window into the state of the Android ecosystem right now. The fact that:
Google has updated Android’s distribution numbers again, this time revealing that Android 16 is already on 7.5 % of devices, with the numbers having shuffled considerably since the previous update. Android distribution numbers are updated sporadically, with the last update having been released in April 2025. At the time, just prior to Samsung’s Android 15 rollout, 27.4 % devices were running Android 14, with a mere 4.5 % running Android 15. The latest update is based on data from December 1, 2025, and comes after Android 16 has been relatively widely rolled out to Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and many other Android lineups, at least in terms of higher-end devices. As it stands currently, Android 16 is on 7.5 % of devices. This latest update also removed Android 4.4 KitKat from the list —
this whole narrative tells you so much about how updates spread, where the ecosystem is headed, and what matters for both users and devs going forward.
If you want to dig deeper or talk about how this affects your own phone or apps you build, contact us via the web.
Source links
https://9to5google.com/2026/01/30/android-16-is-on-7-5-of-devices-in-latest-distribution-numbers-update — Android 16 is on 7.5 % of devices in latest distribution numbers update
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/01/android-version-distribution-numbers-2025-2026-market-share.html — Android 16 Hits 7.5 % Adoption; Android 15 is the Most Popular
https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2025/04/android-14-maintains-274-share-android.html — Android 14 Maintains 27.4 % Share, Android 15 Reaches 4.5 %
Android 16, Android distribution numbers, Google Android update, Android 15, Android 14, Android fragmentation, Android adoption rate, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Android OS versions, Mobile OS market share, Android update rollout, Android security updates, Android 16 features, Android 16 adoption, Android ecosystem, Mobile technology trends, App developers, Android device statistics, Android news
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