Lollipop debuts on the distribution charts with 1.6% of Android users; KitKat still on top

The latest Android distribution figures have been released. Based on data compiled from all Android devices that visited the Google Play Store over the last seven days, 1.6% of active Android devices are using the latest and greatest Android 5.0 build. This is the first appearance of Lollipop on the Android distribution statistics. Android 4.4 leads the way with 39.7% of Android users. That was up from the 39.1% that KitKat garnered last month.

Technically, all three builds of Jelly Bean together are currently used by 44.5% of active Android devices. But when broken down individually, no single Jelly Bean build runs more than 19.8% of the Android population. Gingerbread (Android 2.3.3-2.3.7) still powers 7.4% of Android handsets.

We should see more Android devices running Android 5.0 in the months ahead, especially as more Android models are updated to the new build. Since most of the models eligible to receive Lollipop are those currently running KitKat, we would expect to see that build's percentage decline over time. And as more new models come out of the box with Android 5.0, those with older Android devices running Jelly Bean will be looking to replace their current handset with a new Lollipop powered phone..

Let's face it. If you haven't replaced your Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich powered phone by now, chances are that you are waiting for it to just flat-out die before upgrading to a new handset.

source: AndroidDevelopers via DroidLife