Android Smartphones & Which Versions Of Android They Are Running

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We often talk about software updates for Android, and well, as many likely realize — that topic usually brings up some strong feelings. Of course, realistically all handsets need to have an end-of-life in terms of updates. The question then becomes when that point is reached.

Needless to say, this topic was recently brought to light again with the confirmation that the Nexus One would not be getting Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. And for those who missed that bit, the Nexus One is nearing its second birthday (January 2012). Anyway, regardless of how you feel about Android software updates, we now have an infographic that breaks it all down.

Well, more specifically, the infographic breaks down 2008, 2009 and some 2010 Android handsets that were released in the US market with T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Verizon. And nicely done, it then compares them with the AT&T released iPhones including the original, 3G, 3GS and the 4.

Anyway, while we are fairly certain that many of you will take some time to check this image out (you can see it below), there are some some key points worth mentioning upfront;

• 7 of the 18 Android phones never ran a current version of the OS.
• 12 of 18 only ran a current version of the OS for a matter of weeks or less.
• 10 of 18 were at least two major versions behind well within their two year contract period.
• 11 of 18 stopped getting any support updates less than a year after release.
• 13 of 18 stopped getting any support updates before they even stopped selling the device or very shortly thereafter.
• 15 of 18 don’t run Gingerbread, which shipped in December 2010.
• In a few weeks, when Ice Cream Sandwich comes out, every device on here will be another major version behind.
• At least 16 of 18 will almost certainly never get Ice Cream Sandwich.

And from there, the creator of the inforgraphic goes on to mention why this is “so bad.” The reasons include the the consumers get screwed, that developers are constrained and that security risks loom. All said and done, a rather interesting look, but at the same time I am not entirely convinced that users are getting “screwed” just because their handset stops being updated before their two-year agreement ends.