Android has consistently been at the forefront of technological advancements. However, with innovation often comes the risk of disrupting existing features, occasionally leading to reduced battery longevity and diminished performance.
With Android 14, the emphasis has shifted towards perfecting existing functionalities rather than merely introducing new ones. This iteration brings several improvements to the table, notably in the realm of memory management.
Frozen apps, maximized efficiency
Tech aficionado Mishaal Rahman highlighted these enhancements on X (previously known as Twitter). A standout feature in Android 14 is the advent of “frozen cached applications.”
Once these apps remain idle for a short duration, they are “frozen,” preventing them from consuming CPU resources. Preliminary tests have shown that, thanks to this feature, cached processes consume up to half the CPU cycles they did on Android 13.
Adding to this efficiency, Android 14 has revamped its broadcasting system. This ensures that frozen apps stay dormant by modifying how they interact with context-registered broadcasts when marked as cached.
Instead of bombarding the system with numerous broadcasts, events like BATTERY_CHANGED can now be amalgamated into a single notification. This refined methodology promotes seamless system performance.
Boosting app launch speeds
Android 14’s latest optimizations don’t just stop at enhancing existing features; they bring a tangible acceleration to app launch speeds. With increased restrictions on the total number of cached apps, the OS minimizes the instances of cold app starts, which are notorious for hogging CPU resources. Early tests on 8GB RAM devices registered a decrease in cold app starts by about 20%. Remarkably, devices with 12GB RAM saw an even more impressive drop of over 30%. This not only bolsters power efficiency but also ensures a snappier user experience.
In addition, the memory footprint on Android 14 has seen significant contraction. The updated Android Runtime, now transitioned to ART 14, showcases optimizations that have led to an average code size reduction of 9.3%, without sidelining performance. This leaner code naturally exerts less pressure on device memory and storage, thereby boosting system efficiency.
Interestingly, while these innovations weren’t the marquee features during the launch of Android 14, their impact on user experience can’t be underestimated. It’s evident that Google is channeling its efforts not just in rolling out flashy features but in enhancing the very core of the operating system.
Tackling Pixel predicaments
On the practical front, Android 14 has risen to the occasion by addressing persistent challenges faced by Pixel users, especially those using the Pixel 6 and 7 series. Many reported concerns like device overheating and rapid battery depletion.
However, with the introduction of Android 14, a significant number of users are noticing their devices operating at more moderate temperatures, smoother performance, and a longer battery span. While the specifics of these enhancements remain under wraps, it’s clear that Android 14 has made pivotal strides in internal optimizations to tackle these issues head-on.
