Top 15 Mobile Phone Operating Systems 2019 [Updated List]

Mobile Phone Operating System. If today’s digitalized world can be compared to a fairy tale, the mobile phones can easily be compared to its yardstick.

Mobile phones are the revolutionary unit that changed the definition of the digital world, after computers. Nowadays, our lives are completely useless without the assistance of our Smartphones. And our Smartphones are complete garbage without the proper mobile phone operating system.

Be it Android or iOS, the Smartphone’s operating systems are currently controlling every aspect of the digital world. Although most people are accustomed to using the popular mobile phone operating systems such as Android or iOS, there are other smartphone operating systems as well.

And before buying a mobile phone, it is important to get a precise knowledge of the mobile phone operating system, no?

So, in this article, we are going to discuss in details the best 15 mobile phone operating systems of different phones that are currently ruling the kingdom of Smartphones. Let us have a look.

Mobile Phone Operating Systems

Best 15 Mobile Phone Operating Systems

1. Android

The most popular Smartphone OS is Android. In the year of 2008, the first version of Android was released by Google and it went by the name of ‘Astro.’ After sometimes, ‘Cupcake’ and ‘Bender’ version of Android was released. ‘Oreo’ is the latest version of the Android operating system.

C, C++, and Java are the main programmes of Android and it has been powered by Linux Kernel. Android version of operating system is accompanied by ‘Google Play Store,’ from where anyone can download the suitable app for their phone.

Thus android mobile phone operating systems are open source systems where developers can develop any app, creatively. Android has its file extension in the form of .apk, and more than 10k companies are using Android such as Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Micromax, Lenovo, etc.

Multitasking, high customising capability, and various widgets– are the amazing features for which Android is famous for.

2. Apple iOS

Another popular Smartphone operating system is iOS. The iOS is only fitted to the devices that are designed by Apple such as iPad, iPod, iPhone, etc. Thus iOS can be called a special mobile phone operating system that is customized for a particular company only. It does not have third party use permission. The Apple iOS first came into the market in July 2007.

Although the iOS operating system is not the best OS in the market, it has certain special qualities that outnumber features of other OS. The camera feature of iPhone is the best; especially if you talk about the slow-motion video feature. Also, it has special music tech specification. And if you can ignore the high price, it can be the best trade phone for traders too. Just like Google, it has ‘Apple Store’ too that includes millions of different apps. However, iOS is a closed source operating system.

3. Blackberry OS

The Smartphone operating system, Blackberry was first released in the year of 1999. RIM officially owns the Blackberry OS, and it can be called one of the oldest Smartphone operating system. And unlike OS, The Blackberry Operating system is different from others. The Smartphone style and the interface of Blackberry are way different from modern Smartphones.

Unlike Android, Blackberry is a closed source operating system, and it cannot be used by any other third party. The Blackberry operating system is famous for its security, and it is still one of the most secure OS of all; especially that it is immune from almost every virus. The latest release of Blackberry is ‘Blackberry OS 7.1’ which was introduced in the year of 2011.

4. Windows OS

Everyone is well accustomed to Windows as it is widely used in the computers. Just like the computers, Windows OS is used in mobile phones. However, it is a bit difficult to operate.

And to ease out the situation, Nokia joined hand with Microsoft, and together they released ‘Windows 7’ which has gained a huge popularity among the Smartphone users. The interface of this operating system is user-friendly, and people find it much easier to control. Also, it comes in colorful designs too. And the latest Window version of Nokia has completely adopted mobile features by shifting the computer look alike. It is very powerful and secure system too. Samsung and HTC have recently released some Windows-based mobile phones too. Windows OS has examples of Nokia Lumia series. Some of the latest models are Nokia Lumia 900, Nokia Lumia 800, etc.

5. Series 40 [S40] OS

The Series 40 operating system of Nokia can be called one of the oldest Smartphone operating systems ever. This OS only allows the users to install Java applications only. The file extension of S40 is .jar. These limitations have made this phone a restricted piece which cannot be used in case of HD games, flexible multitasking, etc. Although the S40 OS lacks in various aspect, they perform the best in case of battery longevity and long talk time. And because of these facilities, they still rank 3rd in the market of mobile phone operating systems.

‘Ovi Store’ is the official app market of S40 that contains thousands of applications, and Nokia is the only manufacturer of the S40 operating system. Nokia Asha Series, Nokia X2, and Nokia X3 are some of the models of S40.

6. Symbian

Officially, the Symbian OS is the property of Nokia. Thus, it means that any other company will have to take the permission of Nokia to use this operating system. A couple of years ago, Java Symbian was the most used Nokia operating system ever in the market. Symbian is largely used in low-end phones whose demands are slowly decreasing. Symbian Anna and Symbian Belle are two latest updates of Nokia that can be used in the latest Smartphone models.

The Symbian OS is greatly designed with a user-friendly interface. However, the demand of Symbian is decreasing nowadays because of the high demand for Android and iOS. Some of the phones are that currently running on Symbian are as follows– Nokia C6-01, Nokia 603 and Nokia 700, etc.

7. BADA

Just like any other companies, Samsung too own a mobile phone operating system which is well-known as BADA. This OS is suitable for high-end Smartphones in the market. In reality, BADA has a very friendly user interface and smooth operating system, but Samsung does not use this OS due to some unknown reason.

On 15th March 2012, BADA has released its newest version– BADA 2.0.5. Currently, there exist only three Smartphones in the market that works on BADA OS– Samsung Wave, Wave 2 and Wave 3. Also, BADA a smooth operating function with different editing apps.

8. Palm OS

The Palm operating system was generated by Palm Inc in the year of 1996. Palm can be counted in the league of the oldest operating system of mobile phones. It was specially developed for PDAs, i.e., Personal Digital Assistants. At first, Palm was devised to work on GUI touch-screens. However, a few years later, it became upgraded, and it was fitted to Smartphones as well.

But due to lack of user-friendly interface system and efficient system, the Palm OS is not on the market anymore. It is not used in any current devices as well. The operating system Palm was last updated in the year of 2007. It was used by many companies such as Lenovo, Janam, and IBM, etc.

9. Open Web OS

Also acknowledged as Hp Web OS or just Web OS, this Open Web was developed by Palm Inc. However, after a few years, Hewlett–Packard bought it. It was launched in the year of 2009, and it was used in many Smartphones and tablets.

Hp promoted Web OS with high-end Smartphones and tablets. One of the latest devices on which Web OS had an impact was a hp touchpad. However, after Android entered the market of mobile phone operating systems, the market rate of Web OS has decreased. Thus, Hp announced Web OS to be discontinued. But as Web OS had promising interface style and other qualities, the existing users were assured to be given regular updates.

10. Maemo

The Maemo OS is the brainchild of Nokia and Maemo community. This operating system is mostly used in Smartphones, internet tablets, and many other devices as well. The user interface of Maemo OS is very user-friendly and has many unique features as well.

Recently, the Maemo OS is comprised of Maemo OS and SDK. It is based on open source code with smooth developing features. It also has a user-friendly interface through which user can go to any locations.

11. MeeGo

Although MeeGo is called a mobile platform or a Smartphone operating system, it was built to operate multiple electronic devices such as handhelds, in-car devices, television sets, and netbooks, etc. The core of the MeeGo remains same in different devices, but the user interface changes completely according to the device.

In the year of 2010, Moorestown Tablet PC was introduced, and it was powered by MeeGo OS. Even Nokia N9 was powered by the operating system of MeeGo. MeeGo still acquires a large share in the market of Smartphones.

12. Ubuntu Touch OS

Ubuntu Touch operating system is another leading OS in the market of Smartphones. It is an open source operating system that was formerly made for the purpose of touch-screen phones and Smartphones. However, currently, Ubuntu is used in other devices as well such as desktop PC, cloud, etc. It has a user-friendly interface.

13. Tizen OS

Tizen OS is another open source Linux based mobile phone operating system. It is a flexible smartphone operating system that allows many customizations as well. Although it was developed for the purpose of touch-screen phones and Smartphones, nowadays it is used in TVs as well.

14. Lineage OS

Another open-source operating system is Lineage OS. It is free, and it is well known as the Lineage OS Android Distribution. It is compatible with Smartphones, mini tablets, computers on Android mobile platform. It is rather a new operating system in the market. It was launched in the year of 2016.

15. Firefox OS

Launched by Mozilla, Firefox OS is a discontinued open source operating system which is made of Smartphones, tablet computers, and smart TVs. It is user-friendly and has an efficient system to deal with too.

Comparison– Which is the best OS for Smartphones?

If you can compare the above list of mobile phone OS, it can be easily concluded that Android and Apple iOS are the best-operating systems for Smartphones and also they are leading the way too. With so many great qualities, none of the other operating systems stand a chance in this race.

Conclusion

However, these 15 are not the only Smartphone OS; rather there are tons of other mobile phone operating systems as well. Although currently, Android is winning the race, Apple is not far behind. And it is best to use an operating system before you decide whether you love it or not because a list cannot decide it. Happy Operating!

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