The Android architecture consists of 5 layers: the Linux kernel, native libraries, the Android runtime, application framework, and applications. The Linux kernel handles low-level system functionality like drivers. Native libraries provide common functions like media playback. The Android runtime includes the Dalvik VM and core Java libraries. It allows each app to run in its own process. The application framework offers higher-level services to apps like activity management and notifications. Finally, applications are built on top of the framework and distributed to users.