Sony Xperia Android 5.0 Update Details Emerge

Back in October Sony confirmed many of its popular and most recent Android smartphones would receive an upgrade to the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop update, following the official unveil by Google on October 15th, and today new details and possible release dates have emerged.

In early November Google released Android 5.0 Lollipop, November 3rd to be exact, with the HTC Nexus 9 tablet and promised more devices would see it soon. Multiple manufacturers quickly promised timely updates, including Sony. Today though Sony has reconfirmed the entire Sony Xperia Z2 and Z3 series will see Android 5.0 updates soon.

Read: Android 5.0 vs Android 4.4 KitKat: What’s New in Lollipop

Google started pushing Android 5.0.1 Lollipop to many of its Nexus smartphones and tablets last week, a quick bug fixing update over the original release which could delay a few manufacturers initial release plans, but it sounds like Sony and others are still on track for an early 2015 release date. Here’s what we know.

In October Sony confirmed a few of the details mentioned above. Stating the entire core Z2 and Z3 lineup would see Android 5.0 Lollipop updates, but didn’t mention the Sony Z Ultra and many other premium smartphones released in 2013 or 2014. They did however say early 2015 was the target date, and now they’ve revealed additional information.

Last night the official Sony Xperia Twitter account once again confirmed a few of the devices that will see Android 5.0 Lollipop updates, but took things a bit further by stating the rollouts would start at the “beginning of 2015” which has many expecting an arrival in early January. We’ve heard something similar from HTC, and it looks like Samsung Galaxy Android 5.0 updates could be around a similar time frame. It might be a busy month of January for Android updates.

@SamTomelleri We’ll start the upgrade at beginning of 2015 for the core Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 series.

— Sony Xperia (@sonyxperia) December 17, 2014

Since being announced many of Sony’s latest smartphones haven’t received too many updates, but are at least running the latest Android 4.4 KitKat software update that was released in late 2013, and updated to Android 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 KitKat this summer. They’re up to date, and only a few smartphones have received Android 5.0. Meaning Sony appears to be working hard on quick and timely updates to match that of the competition.

Read: Sony Xperia Z3v Review

Following along with the conversation on Twitter Sony wasn’t sure about updates to the recent Sony Xperia tablet releases, and told users to stay tuned for more details. They did however confirm the Verizon Sony Xperia Z3v which was recently released and became rather popular.

As a reminder, all smartphones released as of late with Android 4.4 have an agreement with Google to support smartphones for at least 18 months past the release date. Meaning software updates should continue for at least 18 months after the release, and possible longer if the manufacturer chooses. Like Samsung for example with the Galaxy S III.

Last month we saw reports that Sony was testing Android 5.0 Lollipop on the Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact, which was a good sign that the update progress was moving along rather quickly. If those reports, along with the new details this week are accurate, an early 2015 surprise will be headed to Sony users in the form of the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop, or Android 5.0.1 Lollipop.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition is the only device updated thus far, since it’s a stock Google Experience device, but more updates should be coming soon.