The Most Popular Mobile Operating System, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the mobile operating system you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:44
In the dynamic world of technology, mobile operating systems shape our daily digital interactions. As new features and updates continually enhance user experience, it becomes increasingly important to understand which systems are leading the pack in popularity and user satisfaction. A ranked list of these systems can help users make informed decisions about which technology might suit their personal or professional needs best.
By participating in the voting process for the most popular mobile operating system, users contribute to a broader community insight, shaping a clearer picture of current trends and preferences. This not only aids potential users in making choices but also provides valuable feedback to developers about consumer needs and desires. Witnessing the shifts in ranking can also highlight the evolving landscape of mobile technology, offering a snapshot of innovation and adaptation in real-time.
What Is the Most Popular Mobile Operating System?
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194votesAndroid is the most popular mobile operating system, with over 2 billion active users worldwide. It is an open-source platform developed by Google and used by many phone manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi. Android offers a vast selection of apps, customization options, and features.Android is an open-source operating system for mobile devices, based on the Linux kernel. It was developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google.
- Release Date: September 23, 2008
- Latest Version: Android 11
- Programming Language: Java, Kotlin
- App Store: Google Play Store
- Customization: Highly customizable interface
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244votesiOS iOS is iOS is the second most popular mobile operating system, developed by Apple exclusively for its devices such as iPhones and iPads. It has a loyal user base and is known for its sleek design, security, and excellent performance. iOS also has a vast selection of apps available on its App Store.iOS is a proprietary operating system developed by Apple Inc. specifically for their mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch. It is known for its sleek design, intuitive user interface, and seamless integration with other Apple services. iOS offers an extensive range of features and functionalities, making it one of the most advanced mobile operating systems available today.
- Version: Latest version: iOS 14.7
- App Store: Access to a vast library of applications
- Security: Advanced security measures to protect user data
- Siri: Intelligent personal assistant
- iMessage: Built-in messaging service for iOS users
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335votesKaiOS is a mobile operating system designed for feature phones (basic phones with limited features). It has gained popularity in emerging markets such as India and Africa due to its affordable price and access to essential apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook.KaiOS is a popular mobile operating system that is focused on bringing advanced connectivity and features to affordable feature phones. It is designed to provide a smartphone-like experience on non-touch devices and cater to users in emerging markets.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, and VoLTE/VoWiFi.
- App Support: Offers access to a wide range of essential apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Maps, YouTube, and more.
- HTML5-Based: Built on web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing developers to easily create applications for the platform.
- Customizable User Interface: Users can personalize their device through customizable themes, wallpapers, and ringtones.
- KaiStore: Official app store that provides a variety of applications tailored for KaiOS devices.
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412votesHarmonyOS is a mobile operating system developed by Huawei as an alternative to Android. It is designed to work across different devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. HarmonyOS promises better security and privacy features.HarmonyOS, also known as Hongmeng OS in China, is a mobile operating system developed by Huawei. It was announced in 2019 as an open-source platform designed to provide a unified experience across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, and IoT devices. Its innovative architecture allows for seamless and secure connectivity, efficient multitasking, and distributed app development.
- Kernel Type: Microkernel
- Compatibility: Supports Android apps and HTML5-based apps
- Multi-device Collaboration: Allows for seamless multi-device interaction and data transfer
- HarmonyOS Distributed Technology: Enables the use of multiple devices as one virtual super device
- Deterministic Latency Engine: Provides precise resource scheduling and real-time task switching
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518votesTizen is an open-source mobile operating system developed by Samsung and Intel. It is used in Samsung's smartwatches and some of its smartphones. Tizen offers a lightweight and customizable interface, with a selection of apps available on its store.Tizen is an open-source Linux-based operating system designed specifically for a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. It was developed by the Linux Foundation and supported by major industry players like Samsung and Intel.
- Open Source: Tizen is an open-source platform, allowing developers to freely modify and distribute the software.
- Linux-based: Tizen is built atop the Linux kernel, providing a solid foundation for stability and security.
- Wide Device Support: It supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart TVs, and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
- HTML5-based: Tizen applications are primarily developed using HTML5, making it easier for web developers to create cross-platform applications.
- App Ecosystem: Tizen has its own application ecosystem, offering various apps and services for users.
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67votes
Enterely · CC BY-SA 4.0Windows Phone
MicrosoftAlthough no longer in development, Windows Phone was a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft. It had a unique tile-based interface and offered integration with other Microsoft services such as Office and OneDrive.The Windows Phone is a discontinued mobile operating system developed by Microsoft. It was designed to be used primarily on smartphones and was released as a successor to Windows Mobile. The operating system features a unique and tile-based user interface, known as Metro UI, which showcased live updates and customization options for quick access to applications and information.- Release Date: October 11, 2010
- Latest Version: Windows Phone 8.1
- Kernel Type: Hybrid (Windows NT kernel)
- Programming Languages: C++ (native code), C# (managed code)
- App Store: Windows Phone Store
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78votes
BlackBerry OS
BlackBerry LimitedAnother discontinued mobile operating system, BlackBerry OS was developed by BlackBerry and used in its smartphones. It was known for its security features and physical keyboards.BlackBerry OS is a proprietary mobile operating system developed by BlackBerry Limited. It was originally designed for the BlackBerry line of smartphones. The operating system offers a secure, reliable, and efficient user experience, with a strong emphasis on communication and productivity features.- Release date: January 19, 1999
- Latest version: BlackBerry 10.3.3
- Kernel type: Monolithic
- Supported platforms: BlackBerry smartphones
- Programming languages: C, C++
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89votesSymbian was a popular mobile operating system developed by Nokia and used in its smartphones. It was widely used in the early 2000s but was eventually phased out in favor of other operating systems.Symbian is a discontinued mobile operating system (OS) designed for smartphones. It was developed by Symbian Ltd. in collaboration with Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Psion. Symbian was one of the most popular mobile OS used in the early 2000s.
- First release date: 29 June 1998
- Latest stable release: Symbian^3 (3.8.2012)
- Kernel type: Monolithic kernel, Real-time kernel
- Default user interface: Series 60, UIQ, MOAP(S)
- Supported CPU architectures: ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, SuperH, x86
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910votes
Cartmanland · CC BY 3.0Ubuntu Touch
Canonical Ltd.Ubuntu Touch is a mobile operating system developed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux. It is designed to work on smartphones and tablets, with a focus on privacy and security.Ubuntu Touch is a mobile operating system based on the Linux platform. It aims to provide a user-friendly and flexible experience for smartphones and tablets. The interface is designed to adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and orientations, allowing a consistent user experience across devices. Ubuntu Touch offers a comprehensive set of pre-installed applications and provides access to the Ubuntu software ecosystem. It focuses on privacy and security, allowing users to control their data and keep their information secure.- Version: 16.04 LTS
- Kernel: Linux kernel 3.10
- User Interface: Unity 8
- Multitasking: Side Stage
- Scopes: Dynamic smart categories for content
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106votes
Towel401 · CC BY-SA 4.0Sailfish OS
JollaSailfish OS is a mobile operating system developed by Jolla. It is based on the Linux kernel and is designed to work on smartphones and tablets. Sailfish OS offers a unique user interface and a selection of apps available on its store.Sailfish OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system designed for smartphones. It offers a unique user interface and a secure and adaptable environment. The platform is known for its compatibility with Android apps and its focus on privacy and user control.- Compatibility: Supports Android apps
- Interface: Unique and intuitive user interface
- Security: Focuses on privacy and user control
- Adaptability: Customizable to suit user preferences
- Multitasking: Efficient multitasking capabilities
Missing your favorite mobile operating system?
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Ranking factors for popular mobile operating system
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Market shareThe proportion of the market that each mobile operating system holds. A higher market share indicates higher popularity among users.
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User baseThe total number of users who actively use devices running a particular mobile operating system.
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App ecosystemThe number and quality of apps available for the operating system, as well as the ease of developing apps for it.
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User satisfactionHow happy users are with the overall performance, features, and usability of the mobile operating system.
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Security and privacyThe level of security and privacy protection that a mobile operating system offers to its users.
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Device availabilityThe range of device models and manufacturers that support the mobile operating system.
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Update frequency and supportHow often the operating system receives updates, and for how long older devices continue to receive support from the developer.
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CompatibilityHow well the mobile operating system works with other devices, software, and services.
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Customization and user experienceThe extent to which users can customize and personalize the look and feel of their devices running a particular mobile operating system, as well as the overall user experience it offers.
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Performance and resource efficiencyHow well the mobile operating system performs on different devices, particularly on lower-end hardware, and the resources it requires to run smoothly.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular mobile operating system. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or system is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2925 views
- 236 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each system once every 24 hours. The rank of each system is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular mobile operating system
As smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, the choice of mobile operating systems has also become increasingly important. There are several mobile operating systems available in the market, but the most popular ones are Android, iOS, and Windows.
Android, developed by Google, is an open-source platform that is used by most mobile device manufacturers. It provides a customizable interface and offers access to a wide range of apps through the Google Play Store.
iOS, developed by Apple, is exclusive to Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad. It offers a user-friendly interface and a seamless integration with other Apple products.
Windows, developed by Microsoft, is used in a limited number of smartphones and offers a similar user interface to its desktop counterpart.
Each operating system has its own unique features and advantages, and the choice of the most popular one varies depending on personal preferences and the device being used. At StrawPoll, we've conducted numerous polls to determine the most popular mobile operating system, and the results may surprise you.
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