It’s not that they don’t want to, it’s that it doesn’t make sense. Android (Google) does optimize for a broad range of hardware, but it would be a waste of time for them to optimize for specific devices.
Their pixel lineup runs stock Android. That’s what Google offers, so that’s what you’ll get.
However, companies like Samsung do ship their devices with custom software, which allows them to optimize it to their hardware (though I’m not sure how much). Then you have the option to install (if the software supports the hardware) an alternative OS (Calyx, Graphene, Lineage, etc). This can remove bloatware and allows the option to de-google your device… Resulting in a better performing device.
Apple is lucky in the sense that they own their own hardware and software. Android owns the software, not the hardware.
Device manufactures certainly can optimize certain things for their device. Samsung for example has OneUI, which is Samsungs responsibility to optimize. However, just like Google can’t control how manufacturers optimize their OS, Samsung can’t force Google to optimize it for them.
I’d imagine a good amount of manufacturers would rather have Google optimize the OS rather than fund a whole team to do what Google should be doing anyways. Then this goes back to what I said where optimization is difficult due to the wide range in hardware.
My mention of alternate OS’s still apply, as they do serve a purpose in trying to optimize and debloat Android. However they also don’t just target a specific manufacturer, but a wide range of devices.
In other words, Android has matured a LOT since it’s infancy, so it runs quite well on most high end devices. Ignoring specs, you likely won’t tell much of a difference (if at all) when actually using an Apple or high end Android device.
Device manufactures certainly can optimize certain things for their device
Samsung can’t force Google to optimize it for them.
They don’t need to. The source is open. All they have to do is optimize it for their particular hardware.
I’d imagine a good amount of manufacturers would rather have Google optimize the OS
Of course everyone would rather have someone else do any work. So what? Isn’t Google already giving them a lot for free?
rather than fund a whole team to do what Google should be doing anyways
It’s not Google’s job to optimize Android for every end use hardware profile. That’s for the OEMs to do. And they’re getting a whole OS for free - optimization is literally ALL the OEM has to do
I’m still not seeing any reason why Apple should have an advantage here. Any Android OEM should be able to walk up and make a great hardware pairing with the open source Android OS. But they don’t. Instead they rely on Moore’s Law to keep them afloat.
This is why Android users still care about specs: because performance is only achieved through brute force, never good optimization.
It’s lazy and cheap in the end. It’s how they crank out $200 Android phones. People say Apple phones are too expensive given their hardware specs but they completely miss all of the above, and the point. Work smarter and you don’t have to work harder.
It’s not that they don’t want to, it’s that it doesn’t make sense. Android (Google) does optimize for a broad range of hardware, but it would be a waste of time for them to optimize for specific devices.
Their pixel lineup runs stock Android. That’s what Google offers, so that’s what you’ll get.
However, companies like Samsung do ship their devices with custom software, which allows them to optimize it to their hardware (though I’m not sure how much). Then you have the option to install (if the software supports the hardware) an alternative OS (Calyx, Graphene, Lineage, etc). This can remove bloatware and allows the option to de-google your device… Resulting in a better performing device.
Apple is lucky in the sense that they own their own hardware and software. Android owns the software, not the hardware.
When I said “they” I meant OEMs. Google can’t force them all to optimize. But I don’t see why an OEM can’t do exactly what Apple does.
Ah, I misunderstood.
Device manufactures certainly can optimize certain things for their device. Samsung for example has OneUI, which is Samsungs responsibility to optimize. However, just like Google can’t control how manufacturers optimize their OS, Samsung can’t force Google to optimize it for them.
I’d imagine a good amount of manufacturers would rather have Google optimize the OS rather than fund a whole team to do what Google should be doing anyways. Then this goes back to what I said where optimization is difficult due to the wide range in hardware.
My mention of alternate OS’s still apply, as they do serve a purpose in trying to optimize and debloat Android. However they also don’t just target a specific manufacturer, but a wide range of devices.
In other words, Android has matured a LOT since it’s infancy, so it runs quite well on most high end devices. Ignoring specs, you likely won’t tell much of a difference (if at all) when actually using an Apple or high end Android device.
They don’t need to. The source is open. All they have to do is optimize it for their particular hardware.
Of course everyone would rather have someone else do any work. So what? Isn’t Google already giving them a lot for free?
It’s not Google’s job to optimize Android for every end use hardware profile. That’s for the OEMs to do. And they’re getting a whole OS for free - optimization is literally ALL the OEM has to do
I’m still not seeing any reason why Apple should have an advantage here. Any Android OEM should be able to walk up and make a great hardware pairing with the open source Android OS. But they don’t. Instead they rely on Moore’s Law to keep them afloat.
This is why Android users still care about specs: because performance is only achieved through brute force, never good optimization.
It’s lazy and cheap in the end. It’s how they crank out $200 Android phones. People say Apple phones are too expensive given their hardware specs but they completely miss all of the above, and the point. Work smarter and you don’t have to work harder.