Technology

What is Android? Android basics explained

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2024

You know what a smartphone is and most likely what an iPhone is. But you may not know what it means when someone refers to Android.

In a confusing world of technology, Android holds an important place, although it can be difficult to figure out why.

Here are the basics of Android, explaining what it is, where it came from, and how to determine which Android version or Android phones are the best.

What is Android?

Android is the common name of an operating system used on many smartphones and tablets.

An operating system is essentially what appears on the screen of a touchscreen device: the underlying software that you interact with. This is different from apps that you can download from an app store on most smartphones.

The user interface is primarily based on direct manipulation, using touch gestures that correspond to real-world actions, such as swipe, tap, pinch and reverse pinch, to manipulate objects on the screen.

Does Google have Android?

Yes, Google owns Android. The original developer of Android was Android Inc., founded in October 2003.

Google bought Android in 2005 and launched it for phones and tablets in 2007, the same year Apple released the first iPhone.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

How do I know if I have an Android phone?

If your smartphone doesn’t have the Apple logo on the back and doesn’t run iOS, it’s probably an Android phone.

Android devices typically have more customizable home screens, more widget support, access to the Google Play Store compared to the App Store on iOS, and the ability to install third-party applications from sources other than the official app store.

Any smartphone made by Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor, Motorola, Nothing, Nokia, Realme, Asus, Huawei, Vivo or Sony will use Android.

However, your best bet is to go into your device’s settings and find a section called “About” or something similar. You should be able to see the Android or iOS version your device is using there.

Is Android the same as iPhone?

Not quite. Apple’s famous iPhones run on a different operating system: iOS. The latest version of the system is iOS 17.

iPhones don’t run Android, but Android phones can often look similar thanks to the appearance of on-screen app icons and similar phone designs.

Unlike Apple, Google lets every company use Android. This means that while the Google Pixel phones will run Android, so will every phone from Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Asus and many more.

This is because Android is open source. This means that Google lets companies use the base version of Android and then changes its appearance to how the company wants it to look on its phones.

They use so-called Android skins: overlays made by manufacturers such as Samsung (One UI), Xiaomi (HyperOS) and OnePlus (OxygenOS). That’s why not all Android phones look the same when you turn them on.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

What is the latest version of Android?

As of April 2024, Android 14 will be the latest version of Android. The versions are usually named after desserts or sweet treats and are released annually.

Android, codenamed Upside Down Cake, was initially unveiled in May 2023. The next major version, Android 15, will be unveiled in May 2024 at Google’s I/O developer conference.

Many upcoming phones will ship with Android 15, while many older devices will receive a free update at some point after release. Whether your phone gets this depends on how long it is supported with software updates.

While it will likely be a minor refresh rather than an overhaul, there are still 10 new features of Android 15 worth getting excited about.

Which Android phones does WhatsApp work on?

WhatsApp, a popular messaging app, is compatible with most phones running Android OS 5 (released in 2014) and newer.

As long as your Android phone meets WhatsApp’s minimum requirements, you should be able to download and use the app from the Google Play Store.

oasisamuel/Shutterstock.com

Is Android better than iPhone?

There is no right answer; it depends what you prefer. iPhones are quite easy to use and feel premium, while Android is more customizable and there are literally hundreds of different phones to choose from that aren’t always premium.

This is because any cheaper phone, whether budget or mid-priced, can technically run Android, although flagship phones like the £1,249/$1,299.99 Galaxy S24 Ultra are more likely to do so.

Ultimately, determining whether Android is better than iPhone (iOS) is subjective and depends on individual preferences and priorities.

Factors such as hardware design, software features, ecosystem integration and user experience play an important role for both platforms. For a detailed comparison, read our guide on how to decide which is right for you.

Are Samsung phones better than other Android phones?

Samsung phones, such as the latest Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra, are among the most popular Android devices in the world, known for their innovative features, high-quality displays and powerful cameras.

However, many other Android phones such as the Google Pixel 8 Pro, OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14, Asus Zenfone 10 and Motorola Razr 40 Ultra are also included in our list of the best Android phones.

The most distinguishing feature of the Galaxy phones is Galaxy AI, a set of advanced features that use artificial intelligence. Seven years of update support is also industry leading compared to other companies.

However, they are currently competing with Google and its Pixel phones, which also offer advanced AI features and the same long update support.

Whether Samsung phones are better for you than other Android phones ultimately depends on factors such as personal preference, budget, desired features and specific use cases.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Is Android safe?

Many people say that Android is less secure than iPhones, but this is not always true. Apple keeps its operating system tightly guarded and is known for its excellent security, thanks in part to its control over both the hardware and software.

However, Google is constantly working to improve the security of the Android operating system through regular updates, security patches, and various built-in security features. If you download something from the Internet, you may encounter problems, but only if you can’t trust the software and ignore Android’s warning.

The security of any device also depends on factors such as user behavior, app permissions, device settings, and timely installation of updates.

But if you buy an Android phone and are wise to only download safe, trusted apps, you should be fine.

However, if you’re still concerned, it’s worth considering an antivirus app for Android.

Which version of Android is best?

The “best” version of Android is subjective and varies depending on individual preferences, device compatibility, and desired features.

Overall, the latest version of Android, at the time of writing Android 14, offers the most up-to-date features, performance improvements, and security improvements.

Keep in mind that all the different Android skins that other manufacturers use are based on a specific version of Android, but the numbers aren’t always in sync. For example, Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 was actually based on Android 13.

If you’re not sure, check out our full review of the device you’re using.

Ultimately, the best version of Android is the one that meets your specific needs and preferences.