Google purchased Android Inc., the company that invented Android, in 2005. The company continues to make improvements to the Android OS with each new release. These improvements include security fixes and performance improvements. In addition, the Android OS uses features designed to conserve battery power. For example, the OS automatically suspends applications when they are not in use.
Google acquired Android Inc. in 2005
The Android mobile operating system was first introduced in the early 2000s. In 2005, Google acquired the company for $50 million. Many of the company’s key employees joined Google following the acquisition. The acquisition helped Google increase its mobile advertising revenue, and it also improved its search capabilities. Today, more than 85% of the world’s smartphones are powered by Android.
As a result of this acquisition, Google had more options for creating mobile applications and services. Google’s mobile division was founded and grew into a multibillion-dollar business. Its acquisition of Android made Google an early competitor in the mobile market, competing with Apple and Windows Mobile.
Qualcomm and Exynos chips
The competition between Qualcomm and Exynos chips in Android smartphones has been ongoing for years. While the public perception is currently in favor of Qualcomm, the Exynos chips have made many innovations in their own right. Samsung, for example, uses Exynos chips in its smartphones. Qualcomm, meanwhile, makes Snapdragon SoCs.
The Exynos 2100 was the chip used in the Samsung Galaxy S21 series. It was based on Arm CPU technology and was manufactured on a 5nm process. It was capable of processing data from up to four cameras and supported eight-k video recording. Samsung used to make Mongoose CPUs, but these were retired from its recent Galaxy S models.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is expected to outperform Exynos in performance, although it is not clear whether Samsung will make its own Snapdragon 8 chip in the future. Samsung is one of the largest smartphone manufacturers in the world, and it is likely that chip-making could become their sole focus.
Display panels with a high refresh rate
Display panels with high refresh rates are getting a boost thanks to new technologies. While this technology is still expensive and is usually reserved for flagships and top-tier devices, it will eventually find its way to lower-priced smartphones. This new display technology allows the smartphone to adjust the refresh rate according to the content it is showing. As a result, the battery life of the device is improved and the user experience is improved.
Samsung, for example, is also embracing the trend of high-refresh-rate displays with the Galaxy S20 series. While older models only supported 120Hz for Full HD resolution, the new Galaxy S21 is capable of 120Hz at QHD resolution. Samsung is also launching three more high-refresh-rate smartphones next month.
Performance gap between mid-range and premium chipsets
The performance gap between mid-range and premium chipses in Android smartphones has been growing for years. MediaTek, for example, was the leader in 2021 with 46% of the market and Qualcomm followed with 35%. This gap narrowed as MediaTek introduced Dimensity 700 and 1200 series chips that provided performance at par with competing chipsets in the same price range.
Mid-range chipsets are capable of handling reduced graphical settings and are a good option if you’re not looking for the best gaming experience. However, premium chipsets are typically much more expensive than mid-range chips. Fortunately, Qualcomm is promising to fix this issue in their next-generation products.
LineageOS distribution
If you want to use an alternate operating system on your Android smartphone, you can try LineageOS. It is compatible with a wide variety of devices. To install this operating system, you first need to unlock your phone’s bootloader and flash a custom ROM. You can find ROMs supported by LineageOS on the internet or in Android development forums.
You can download the latest LineageOS package from the LineageOS website. You can find a list of device model numbers and variants on the LineageOS Wiki. Then, you need to download the necessary GApps and custom recovery packages.