Smartphones with Android

Android OS features

— this filter includes all devices running the Android OS, regardless of the specific version of this OS.

Features of each of the versions presented on the modern market are described in the corresponding help items. In general, Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is the most popular operating system today, used by most smartphone manufacturers. In its stock form, it has a high degree of integration with Google's proprietary services. At the same time, thanks to open source code, many manufacturers use proprietary software shells, or they rework the firmware heavily — however, while maintaining compatibility with Android applications. As for the applications themselves, there are a huge amount of them in the Google Play store; there are other app stores, and if desired, the necessary software can be installed even bypassing the markets, directly to the smartphone.

If we compare this OS with another popular option — iOS (see the relevant paragraph) — then the main advantages of Android can be called full-fledged multitasking (in the latest versions — with split screen), support of memory cards, wide customization options (including installing additional shells ), as well as a wider range and lower cost of applications. Of the shortcomings, three points can be noted. First, Android is less optimized for specific hardware configurations, which makes it more demanding on hardware resources and more prone to crashes. Secondly, to protect against viruses in this OS, you have to use special anti-virus software (whereas it is purely technically difficult to inject a virus into iOS); however, most Android devices come with built-in antiviruses. Thirdly, there are many low-quality and even malicious programs among applications for this OS (this is the "dark side" of the availability of this system for developers). It is also worth noting that in many Android devices, the installed version of the OS is final and does not allow updates; There are exceptions, but they are quite rare.