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As iOS 9 adoption reaches 79%, most Android users are still running a painfully old OS

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 9:14PM EST
iOS Vs Android

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Earlier today, Apple updated its App Store dashboard and revealed that iOS 9 adoption has now jumped up to 79%, a slight increase from when Apple released iOS 9 adoption figures in February. All the same, it’s worth noting that iOS 9 adoption is still outpacing iOS 8 adoption, albeit by a very small margin. By way of contrast, iOS 8 adoption at this time last year checked in at 77%.

DON’T MISS: Our first look at the iPhone 7 couldn’t be less exciting (and why that’s OK)

Of course, with Apple not prone to revealing more information than it has to, it remains unclear if the recent jump in iOS 9 adoption is largely the result of laggard iOS 8 upgraders or simply the byproduct of new iPhone and iPad users joining the fray.

Either way, Apple’s impressive iOS 9 adoption figures highlight Apple’s commitment towards ensuring that its user base can enjoy the latest and greatest software features available. If we take iOS 8 into account, 95% of all iOS devices are using a mobile OS that is, at the most, 1.5 years old.

The same, however, can’t be said for Android.

Taking a look at Android adoption via Google’s own developer page, we see that many Android users are still on Android 4.4 KitKat, a mobile OS that was originally released in October of 2013. On a more positive note, the most popular version of Android is finally less than two years old.

Marshmallow adoption, meanwhile, currently stands at 2.3%.

As others have opined, the availability of options that makes Android such an attractive platform to many users is also what prevents the bulk of users from being able to enjoy the OS’ most exciting new features.

Yoni Heisler Contributing Writer

Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large with over 15 years of experience. A life long expert Mac user and Apple expert, his writing has appeared in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and TUAW.

When not analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys catching Improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions.