The guys over at Android Police have got their hands on the latest version of Google’s Android OS, Android 2.2 (Froyo), and decided to run a few benchmarks on it to see how it compared to the current release Android 2.1.
Some of the benchmark results are interesting, with some being 450% faster than Android 2.1, and the tests were conducted using Linpack which calculates how fast your phone can operate.
The LINPACK Benchmarks are a measure of a system’s floating point computing power. Introduced by Jack Dongarra, they measure how fast a computer solves a dense N by N system of linear equations Ax = b, which is a common task in engineering. The solution is obtained by Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting, with 2/3*N3 + 2*N2 floating point operations. The result is reported in Millions of FLoating-point Operations Per Second (MFLOP/s, sometimes simply called FLOPS).
Significant Performance Improvements
The tests were done on a Nexus One, a device that was already known for its impressive performance. The results showed that Android 2.2 (Froyo) was significantly faster than its predecessor, Android 2.1. This performance boost can be attributed to several key improvements in the operating system. For instance, Froyo introduced a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler, which translates Java bytecode into machine code at runtime, significantly speeding up the execution of applications.
Moreover, Android 2.2 also brought enhancements in memory management and garbage collection, which reduced the lag and improved the overall responsiveness of the system. These improvements were not just theoretical; they translated into real-world benefits, making everyday tasks like opening apps, browsing the web, and multitasking much smoother and faster.
Real-World Applications and User Experience
The performance improvements in Android 2.2 were not limited to benchmarks alone. Users reported noticeable differences in their day-to-day interactions with their devices. For example, web browsing became faster thanks to the V8 JavaScript engine, which significantly sped up the rendering of web pages. This was particularly beneficial for users who relied heavily on their smartphones for internet access.
Additionally, Android 2.2 introduced support for Adobe Flash 10.1, allowing users to view rich media content directly in their browsers. This was a significant step forward, as it enabled a more comprehensive web experience, something that was not fully possible on Android 2.1.
Another notable feature was the ability to install applications on the SD card, freeing up valuable internal storage space. This was a much-requested feature that addressed one of the common complaints from users who found themselves running out of space for new apps.
The tests were done on a Nexus One, you can check out full details over at Android Police. Have a look at our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
The leap from Android 2.1 to Android 2.2 was a significant one, bringing with it a host of performance improvements and new features that greatly enhanced the user experience. The benchmarks conducted by Android Police provided concrete evidence of these improvements, but the real-world benefits were even more compelling. Whether you were a power user or someone who just wanted a smoother, faster smartphone experience, Android 2.2 delivered in spades.
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