In summary:
- Google is implementing Automatic Feedback-Directed Optimisation (AutoFDO) across Android’s operating system, prioritizing frequently used code based on real-world usage patterns.
- Tech Advisor reports that initial Pixel phone tests show 4% faster cold app launches and 1% quicker boot times, with plans to expand these optimizations system-wide.
- All Android smartphone manufacturers may benefit from these improvements, resulting in snappier interfaces, faster app switching, and extended battery life across devices.
Google has confirmed that it’s working to optimise its mobile OS, potentially bringing about a performance upgrade for all Android smartphone users.
Over on the official Android Developers blog, a fresh post from Software Engineer Yabin Cui has shed light on a new optimisation technique that’s being applied to the Android kernel – essentially the foundation of the operating system.
The Android LLVM toolchain team is working to bring Automatic Feedback-Directed Optimisation (AutoFDO) to Android’s code, which promises “significant performance wins for users”.
It’s all very technical, but it seems that AutoFDO uses real-world usage patterns to guide Android’s core operation. Google basically ran a bunch of tests using Pixel phones, simulating the launch of the 100 most popular apps. The elements of code that are more frequently used are then able to be prioritised in subsequent builds.
Given that the Android kernel accounts for about 40% of CPU time, any such improvement is likely to be meaningful. The poster anticipates a 4% cold app launch improvement and a 1% boot time reduction, which sounds pretty minor, but should provide a tangible upgrade.
Chris Martin / Foundy
“These aren’t just theoretical numbers,” says Cui. “They translate to a snappier interface, faster app switching, extended battery life, and an overall more responsive device for the end user.”
Google is initially rolling out this new AutoFDO technique to the android16-6.12 and android15-6.6 branches, which feed the most recent Android releases. It plans to expand its use to other aspects of the OS, which could help smartphone manufacturers to optimise the running of various hardware drivers.
In other words, Google’s Android kernel improvements could be used in future to speed up the running of your Samsung or Xiaomi phone’s camera.
In other welcome Android news, the first Pixel Drop of the year has arrived, bringing with it a selection of new features and upgrades.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.