This article is going to cover all android os versions and the year they were released.
Android is the most common mobile operating system in the world. This is because the majority of smartphones today are running the Android operating system.
Android is a mobile operating system that is made by google.
Table of Contents
Android 1.5 (Cupcake)

This was the first Android operating system to be released in 2009 by google. This version came with a lot of features like an on-screen keyboard. This was very much needed as smartphones were adopting the touch screen mode and doing away with the physical keyboards. This version also featured a lot of widgets.
Android 1.6 (Donut)

This version of the Android OS was released later in the year 2009. This version came with the ability to work on different sizes of screens. It also had added support for networks like Verizon. This was what played a vital role in the worldwide recognition of the android OS.
Android 2.0 (Éclair)

The Android 2.0 was released just six weeks after android 1.6. The android Eclair was the first Android OS to gain mainstream recognition due to the Verizon marketing campaign surrounding it.
It came with some great features such as turn-by-turn navigation, live wallpapers, and pinch-to-zoom. This is normally regarded as the beginning of the war between IOS and android.
Android 2.2 (Froyo)

Barely four months after Android 2.1 was released, android 2.2 followed on its heels. This android version came with some features like standard dock and voice commands.
This was very important because the flash was being used all over the place. Apple had been adamant at the time to offer flash support.
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

The gingerbread version of android was the one that first brought the operating system its true visual identity.
The green color now became an integral part of the android operating system although it had been adorning the android mascot already.
Android 3.0-3.2 (Honeycomb)

The honeycomb android was released in 2011. This version was initially reserved for tablets as it came along with the Motorola Xoom. This version came with a dramatic UI for the operating system and came in blue color instead of the android trademark green.
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Android ice cream sandwich was also released in 2011 and was the android version that offered the operating system into modern design. The holographic appearance of the android honeycomb was dropped and the OS also united tablets and phones with one UI interface vision. Swiping also became an important part of the new operating system.
Android 4.1 and 4.3 (Jelly bean)

Android 4.1 and 4.3 (Jelly bean) followed after android ice cream and were released in 2012 and 2013. This release came with much more poise and polish for the android OS. Google now was fit to launch on android jelly bean.
Android 4.4 (Kitkat)

The Android KitKat was released in late 2013 and marked the end of the era of the black and blue of the previous versions. There were now lighter backgrounds and neutral replaced black and blue and ‘ok google’ was introduced.
Android 5 (Lollipop)

This version was released on November 4 2014 and came as an upgrade over the previous Android 4 versions. There were also later versions that were released which are versions 5.1 and 5.1.1.
Android 6 (Marshmallow)

Android Marshmallow was released on 2nd October 2015 and it was the 23rd OS to be released since its inception in 2009. This version came with some great features and improved the usability of the previous android version. A later version, 6.0.1, was also released.
Android 7 (Cheesecake)

Released in 2016, android cheesecake is the one that most smartphone users are familiar with since it ushered in a more modern android system which was followed by the rest. Android cheesecake also had later versions, 7.1 and 7.1.2, released by Google.
Android 8 (Oatmeal cookie)

Users of much newer smartphones are probably running the Android 8 OS on their devices. The Android 8 was released on 21st August 2017 by google. Its later version, android 8.1, was released in December 2017.
Android 9 (Pie)

Android 9, which was released on 6th august 2018, can be found on most mid-range smartphones today. Google did not release any later version for android 9.
Android 10 (Queen cake)

Android 10, also known as Queen cake was released on 7th September 2019 and can be found on most high-end smartphones today. Just like its predecessor, there were no later versions released for it.
Android 11 (Red velvet cake)

Android 11 was finally released on 8th September 2020. It is the latest android operating system at the moment as Android 12 is yet to be released.
Android 12 (Snow Cone)

The Android 12 is known to be the latest android OS with a lot of fixes, improvements, and new features. This Android 12 was released on October 4, 2021, and has been made available to all eligible android phones.
Conclusion
These are all the Android OS versions that have been released so far since the inception of the mobile OS. Android fans are now gearing up to receive the android 12 from Google.
Android 4 was released on 2011
And 12 was names Snow Cone and was released on February 18, 2021.
Nothing Phone (1) will be the first phone company to use android 13, the company has been testing the Android 13 build internally and it’s expected to be released to their phone users in mid-December or early January 2023.