Android is a versatile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. It’s open to developers, designers, and device makers, allowing for experimentation and innovation. While initially designed for mobile phones, Android is now available for tablets and TVs as well.

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Here’s a quick overview of Android versions:

Android 1.0: Apple Pie (Sep 23, 2008)
Android 1.1: Banana Bread (Feb 9, 2009)
Android 1.5: Cupcake (Apr 27, 2009)
Android 1.6: Doughnut (Sep 15, 2009)
Android 2.0/2.1: Eclair (Oct 26, 2009 / Jan 12, 2010)
Android 2.2: Froyo (May 20, 2010)
Android 2.3: Gingerbread (Dec 6, 2010)
Android 3.0 (Honeycomb): Tablet-only (Feb 22, 2011)
Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich (Oct 19, 2011)
Android 4.1/4.2/4.3: Jelly Bean (Jul 9, 2012 / Nov 13, 2012 / Jul 24, 2013)
Android 4.4: KitKat (Oct 31, 2013)
Android 5.0/5.1: Lollipop (Nov 3, 2014 / Mar 9, 2015)
Android 6.0: Marshmallow (Oct 5, 2015)
Android 7.0/7.1: Nougat (Aug 22, 2016 / Oct 4, 2016)
Android 8.0/8.1: Oreo (Aug 21, 2017 / Dec 5, 2017)
Android 9: Pie (Aug 6, 2018)
Android 10: Queen Cake (Sep 3, 2019)
Android 11: Red Velvet Cake (Sep 8, 2020)
Android 12: Snow Cone (Oct 4, 2021)

Android All Versions

Android 1.0 – Apple Pie

The initial official release of Android, known as Android 1.0 Beta, took place on November 5, 2007, marking what is considered Android’s birthday. However, the official version available to users was released on September 23, 2008. Exclusive to the HTC Dream phone, this version included fundamental phone features and a selection of Google applications.

Features

• Google Maps with Latitude and Street View for map and satellite image viewing
• YouTube video players

Android 1.1 – Banana Bread

Released on February 9, 2009, Android 1.1 resolved bugs, changed the API, and introduced features such as longer in-call screen timeout and the ability to save attachments in messages.

Features

• Extended in-call screen timeout default for speakerphone use
• Capability to show/hide the dial pad
• Ability to save attachments in messages

Android 1.5 – Cupcake

Launched on April 27, 2009, Cupcake brought support for widgets, video recording, auto-pairing for Bluetooth, and animated screen transitions.

Features

• Support for Widgets: Miniature application views embeddable in other applications with periodic updates.
• Video recording and playback in MPEG-4 and 3GP formats.
• Auto-pairing and stereo support for Bluetooth added (A2DP and AVRCP profiles).
• User pictures displayed for Favorites in Contacts.
• Specific date/time stamp shown for events in the call log.
• One-touch access to a contact card from a call log event.
• Animated screen transitions.

Android 1.6 – Doughnut

Released on September 15, 2009, Doughnut enhanced voice and text entry search, improved searching in Android Market, and integrated gallery, camera, and camcorder.

Features

• Enhanced voice and text entry search, now including bookmark history, contacts, and web content.
• Improved searching functionality with the ability to view app screenshots directly in the Android Market.
• Comprehensive integration of gallery, camera, and camcorder, with quicker camera access.
• Added support for WVGA screen resolutions.
• Enhanced speed in both searching and camera applications.
• Introduction of animated screen transitions for a more dynamic user experience.

Android 2.0/2.1 – Eclair

Eclair, released in October 2009 (updated to 2.1 in January 2010), introduced new camera features, auto-brightness, live wallpapers, and pinch-to-zoom.

Features

• Various new camera features:

1. Flash support
2. Scene mode
3. White balance
4. Color effects
5. Macro focus
6. Picture size
7. Storage location

• Addition of Auto-brightness
• Enhanced typing speed on a virtual keyboard through multitouch data
• Introduction of Live Wallpapers, enabling animated home screen backgrounds
• Addition of Pinch-to-Zoom functionality

Android 2.2 – Froyo

Arriving on May 20, 2010, Froyo focused on performance improvements, introducing USB tethering, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, and support for high-PPI displays.

Features

• USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
• Option to disable data access over the mobile network.
• Support for high-PPI displays (up to 320 PPI), including four-inch 720p screens.
• Quick switching between multiple keyboard languages and their dictionaries.

Android 2.3 – Gingerbread

Released on December 6, 2010 (updated to 2.3.7 on Sep 21, 2011), Gingerbread featured support for extra-large screens, Near Field Communication (NFC), new audio effects, and improved power management.

Features

• Support for extra-large screen sizes and resolutions (WXGA and higher).
• Integration of Near Field Communication (NFC) for reading NFC tags in posters, stickers, or advertisements.
• Introduction of new audio effects like reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost.
• Inclusion of support for multiple cameras, including a front-facing camera if available.
• Enhanced power management, taking a more active role in managing apps that may keep the device awake for extended periods.

Android 3.0 to 3.2 – Honeycomb

Debuting on February 22, 2011, with the Motorola Xoom tablet, Honeycomb optimized tablet support, introduced a new virtual interface, redesigned keyboard, and enhanced camera features.

Features

• Optimized tablet support with a new virtual and “holographic” user interface.
• Redesigned keyboard for fast, efficient, and accurate typing on larger screen sizes.
• Quick access to camera features such as exposure, focus, flash, zoom, front-facing camera, time-lapse, and more.
• Enhanced app capability to access files on the SD card, facilitating synchronization.

Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich

Previewed in May 2011 and launched on October 19, 2011, Ice Cream Sandwich brought easier folder creation, improved visual voicemail, Face Unlock, and Wi-Fi Direct.

Features

• Streamlined folder creation with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
• Enhanced visual voicemail offering the capability to adjust voicemail playback speed.
• Intuitive swipe gestures for effortless navigation between Gmail conversations.
• Face Unlock feature enabling handset unlocking through facial recognition technology.
• Inclusion of Wi-Fi Direct for efficient device connectivity.
• Support for 1080p video recording on stock Android devices.

Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 – Jelly Bean

Launched on July 9, 2012 (up to Android 4.3 on Jul 24, 2013), Jelly Bean added features like Gesture Mode, USB audio docks support, and a streamlined media player.

Features

Gesture Mode for Blind Users:

• Jelly Bean introduced ‘Gesture Mode,’ enabling blind users to navigate the user interface using touch and swipe gestures, complemented by speech output.

USB Audio Dock Support:

• Support for USB audio docks, enhancing the audio capabilities of the device.

Bluetooth Device Pairing:

• Instantly pair your phone or tablet with Bluetooth® devices, such as headsets or speakers, supporting the Simple Secure Pairing standard by tapping them together.

Face Unlock Enhancement:

• Face Unlock feature became faster and more accurate, leading to a smoother startup experience.

Home Screen Personalization:

• Jelly Bean simplified home screen personalization, automatically adjusting as widgets were placed, creating a more user-friendly experience.

New Google Experience:

• The update introduced a revamped Google experience on Android, incorporating Google Search, Google Now, Google Play, and updates on all Google Apps.

Keyboard with Gesture Typing:

• A keyboard featuring gesture typing, allows users to input text with intuitive gestures.

Bluetooth Smart (Low Energy) Support:

• Jelly Bean added support for Bluetooth Smart (low energy), enhancing connectivity with compatible devices.

Android 4.4 – KitKat

Released in October 2013, KitKat featured a lighter design, improved phone app, full-screen artwork on the lock screen, and “OK, Google” support.

Features

• Android 4.4 aimed to reduce RAM
• requirements for improved performance on devices with less than 1 Gigabyte of RAM.
  Phone App Refresh feature.
• While playing music with a locked device, the lock screen displays full-screen artwork and enables track skipping.

Android 5.0/5.1 – Lollipop

Launched on November 12, 2014 (5.1 on Mar 9, 2015), Lollipop introduced Material Design, native multi-SIM support, HD voice calling, and joined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks from the quick settings menu.

Features

• Comprehensive third-party app support for Android 5.0 Lollipop, maintaining its widespread compatibility.
• Introduction of native multi-SIM support.
• Inclusion of HD voice calling capabilities.
• Convenient access to joining Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks directly from the quick settings menu.

Android 6.0 – Marshmallow

Released in the third quarter of 2015, Marshmallow featured simplified permissions, Doze mode for improved battery life, standardized fingerprint support, and introduced Android Pay.

Features

• Apps prompt for permission only when necessary, and users can manage permissions in the settings menu.
• Doze mode conserves battery by reducing background processes when the device is inactive.
• Standardized fingerprint support enhances security features.
• Android Pay is introduced for convenient mobile payments.
• Support for USB-C connectors provides faster data transfer and charging capabilities.
• Auto backup and restore functionality are implemented for applications.

Android 7.0/7.1 – Nougat

Launched in 2016, Nougat (7.0) brought Google Assistant, split-screen mode, Data Saver feature, and quick app switching shortcuts. An update to 7.1 included additional features.

Features

• Google Assistant
• Split-screen mode
• Data Saver feature
• Shortcut for quick switching between apps

Android 8.0/8.1 – Oreo

Released on August 21, 2017 (8.1 on December 5, 2017), Oreo introduced notification grouping, picture-in-picture support, performance improvements, and Bluetooth 5.

Features

• Notification grouping
• Picture-in-picture support for video
• Performance improvements and battery usage optimization
• Support for auto fillers
  Bluetooth 5
• System-level integration with VoIP apps

Android 9 – Pie

Announced on March 7, 2018, and released on July 25, 2018, Pie featured a revamped navigation system with gestures, adaptive battery and brightness, and a redesigned quick settings menu.

Features

• Addition of a “screenshot” button in the power options menu.
• Implementation of new transitions for seamlessly switching between apps or activities within apps.
• Enhanced messaging notifications, allowing full conversations within notifications and supporting full-scale images.
• Introduction of a new user interface for the quick settings menu.
• Implementation of the Adaptive Battery feature prioritizing apps for optimized battery power based on usage patterns.
• Improved Adaptive Brightness feature adjusting screen brightness according to individual preferences.
• Introduction of a new Back Button Icon in the navigation bar.

Android 10 – Queen Cake

Released on September 3, 2019, Android 10 marked a departure from dessert-themed names. It introduced gesture navigation, system-wide dark theme, and enhanced device tracking functions.

Features

• Gesture Interface added in this release.
• Introduced swipe-driven approach to system navigation.
• Updated the device tracking functions.
• Introduced dark theme.
• Introduces a new Live Caption feature that allows you to generate on-the-fly visual captions for any media playing on your phone.

Android 11 – Red Velvet Cake

Launched in September 2020, Android 11 focused on privacy enhancements, limited permission access, a refined notification area, and a streamlined media player.

Features

• Background location permission is integrated even more deeply into the system, making it harder for apps to request.
• Android 11 eliminates an app’s capability to access information about other apps installed on your phone.
• The system notification area is refined to highlight and simplify conversation-related alerts.
• A new streamlined media player is introduced, consolidating controls for all audio and video-playing apps in a single space.

Android 12 – Snow Cone

Released in October 2021, Android 12 introduced Material You theming, an Extra Dim mode, unified Wi-Fi and Mobile Data quick settings, scrolling screenshots, Privacy Dashboard, Adaptive Charging, and more.

Features

• Material You and wallpaper-based theming (Optional accent colors picked from your wallpaper).
• New Extra Dim Mode (Reduces screen brightness).
• Unified the WIFI and Mobile Data quick settings to bring up a mini-settings panel with both options.
• Scrolling Screenshots in supported apps.
  Privacy Dashboard.
• Hold the power button for assistant gestures.
  Adaptive Charging added.
  Providing access to an approximate location instead of an accurate location.
  Universal device search.

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