Sony says there'll be no Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its non-Xperia Z smartphones

posted by Florin T. / Mar 06, 2015, 5:56 PM

Sony says there'll be no Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its non-Xperia Z smartphones

Last year, Sony confirmed that the entire Xperia Z series of devices (including the original Xperia Z smartphone from early 2013) would be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop. Unfortunately, it looks like things aren't that great for those who own a non-Xperia Z handset made by Sony.

According to the official Sony Xperia Twitter account, the Android Lollipop update is going to be available "only" for the Xperia Z family. This means that smartphones from 2014 like the Xperia E3, Xperia M2 Aqua (pictured on the left), Xperia M2, Xperia C3, Xperia T3, Xperia T2 Ultra, or Xperia E1 will not see updates beyond Android KitKat.

Hopefully, Sony will change its mind in regards to at least some of its recent non-Xperia Z devices (which, from a technical point of view, are certainly capable of running Lollipop).

As for the non-Xperia Z handsets introduced this year by Sony, the M4 Aqua is running Android Lollipop out of the box, while the E4 and E4g will get the update sometime after launch.

source: Twitter (1), (2), (3) via Xperia Blog

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64 Comments

1. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

Ouch.. BTW, I'm still waiting for lollipop Sony!

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:00 PM 2

2. waddup121 unregistered

Kinda a d*ck move on sony's part, but I can see a reason.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:02 PM 8

61. Mittal

Posts: 494; Member since: Dec 14, 2011

I feel kinda bad reading this, but then i guess the unsaid rule is that you gotta pay a flagship premium to get latest software for some reasonable duration. Kudos to Moto in that regard, minimal UI overlay --> lesser coding and testing effort to update --> better prospects for lesser devices

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 12:20 AM 0

3. josephnero

Posts: 779; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

not surprised.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:05 PM 1

4. frankg

Posts: 173; Member since: May 14, 2014

That's why manufacturers should just make nexus/silver devices. If people are screwed over like this, they move to IOS and (maybe) to Windows. At least apple is giving updates to the 4s which is a phone more then 3 years old... You may pay more, but you also get more. In 2 years I have to root and put a custom rom on my Note 4, for itt to be up to date.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:09 PM 2

6. UglyFrank

Posts: 2193; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

That's funny because the note 2 is getting lollipop despite it being 2.5 years old.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:14 PM 19

14. Remmy

Posts: 189; Member since: Jul 31, 2012

Well the Xperia Z was released 2+ years ago and it will still get 5.0. But will other non-premium Galaxies get the update?

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:55 PM 9

20. maherk

Posts: 6775; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

There are about 12 Z phones/tablets, Samsung brings updates to double of this number daily, they are always working on updating their products. Check sammobile.com, and you ll get it why the majority of those who wants an Android phone, ends up going for a Samsung.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 7:41 PM 8

28. NFSHesham

Posts: 297; Member since: Feb 04, 2014

Yeah right Tell me about the midrange and entry level devices e that are going to be updated that are not former flagships and not minis For your information The note 3 Neo that has been advertised as the note 2 replacement has only been updated to Kitkat and 99% won't be updated to Lollipop this is the single Sim version The Note 3 Neo Duos however hasn't received any updates and is running 4.3 Jelly bean since the get go Now criticise Sony for only updating Xperia Z series " I don't like it either" when your beloved Samsung is doing exactly the same

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 10:48 PM 8

35. SonyFindOneDroidple

Posts: 865; Member since: May 11, 2013

Grand prime will be updated, Note 3 Neo was also planned to have it. Tab Pros and Tab S' are also going to have lollipop sure the A series will also have. And besides why boast these Z series lollipop update when at the moment nothing has been updated while other OEMs esp samsung has been rolling out their updates for S5 S5 active S5 lteA note 4 note edge s4 note 3.. All i see in news is Samsung updating their phones to 5.0 and i bet that people who buy the low end phones dont really expect any major update..

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 1:43 AM 1

47. vladislavvaz

Posts: 12; Member since: May 19, 2014

both of you shut up go with yureka.. cynogenmod FTW :D

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 6:58 AM 0

62. Mittal

Posts: 494; Member since: Dec 14, 2011

yea man, thats the price for the slightly cheaper device, sad

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 12:24 AM 0

31. Remmy

Posts: 189; Member since: Jul 31, 2012

Right, I just don't understand why they didn't release the "value pack" update for the Galaxy S and my original Galaxy Tab when they said they will? Of all the Samsung Galaxy devices we had in the family, neither received a major update at all. Plus, majority of my friends who own the flagship S series and Note series don't care about updates at all. Had to explain them why they need to. :)

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 11:54 PM 3

36. sherkhan

Posts: 34; Member since: Oct 02, 2014

Remmy, Galaxy S was updated to ICS Value pack but it took a long time...I got the update in india after 4-5 months it released in China

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 2:28 AM 1

46. Remmy

Posts: 189; Member since: Jul 31, 2012

Oops. Good for you though. But with different Galaxy S variants, did all of them get updated? I mean, being among the flagships before I was really disappointed when they abandoned my P1000.

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 6:25 AM 0

38. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

And the funniest thing is my 4 years old 4S will get at least 2 more iOS updates. /just sayin

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 2:48 AM 0

41. romeo1

Posts: 814; Member since: Jan 06, 2012

That is not the same. You won't get the new features. You'll get the same phone running a newer version and most of the times even slower than before

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 4:20 AM 3

53. buccob

Posts: 2963; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

The funny thing is that Sony will be updating more smartphones this time, than what Apple has ever released... Z ZR ZL Zultra Z1 Z1S Z1C Z2 Z3 Z3v Z3C iPhone, 3G, 3Gs, 4, 4s, 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6+

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 9:58 AM 3

11. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Getting updated by version doesn't mean anything. Sure the 4s has iOS8, but it doesn't have everything it has on and iPhone 5 series or 6. What you guys don't seem to understand is this. There is no law that says you have to be updated to a new OS. Example, if you have a Windows XP OS when 7 came out, Microsoft is not obligated to give you Windows 7 as an upgrade. It is a ew OS. What they have to give free is increment updatesupdates for example service packs. The fact MS is giving g Windows 10 away for a shirt time is an exception, not the rule. Lollipop is Verizon 5.0 of the OS. 4.4 KITKAT is part of the 4.0 family, but considered a new OS compared to Jelly Bean and Ice Cream Sandwich. But if you have ICS ot JB and KK, if it gets and update yes you should get it. But 5.0 is not an update, it is a full upgrade to a new version, equal to buying a new version of Windows. Android costed you nothing. You paid for a device. For what Apple charges for their device, they should give OS upgrades for free. That doesn't mean everyone should. Also, the best way to enjoy a new OS is to buy supported hardware, just like with Windows PC. I like Lollipop but I could care less if the Note 4 got it personally even if I just bought the device when it was released. I wouldn't feel cheated. My device was designed and optimized for the latest version of Kitkat To really enjoy 5.0, I rather personally have the device it comes preinstalled on. After all it was optimized for that device from scratch vs patching the aoS to work with an older device. But like with Windows,I would is a new build of an OS come within 3 months of my purchase, then maybe I should get the new one too, which is what MS does.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:36 PM 13

22. TerryTerius unregistered

No, there isn't a law requiring it, but that isn't the point. The sign of a great company is going beyond the bare minimum to ensure that your customers have as great an experience as possible. That you take care of them within the best of your abilities for giving you their business. Simply because you aren't required to do something, doesn't mean you shouldn't. It's not like those who bought a mid-range device did so with money that was earned with less effort than those who bought a flagship. That's the point. Everyone doesn't have the option of buying a new phone every time an upgrade to the OS is available, nor should they be expected to. Android isn't MS. Google doesn't charge for new versions of the software and since Sony doesn't exist in a vacuum it should be doing all it can to at least achieve parity with its rivals. If it can't even promise you the same basic service of being up to date, that isn't a pro for them in any way shape or form. Yes, I get from a business standpoint why Sony wouldn't want to upgrade its entire range and that they're deeply in the red with their phone division. But the fact that they're doing this on top of being the last "major" manufacturer to upgrade their flagships to lollipop months after everyone else doesn't help the perception of their company in the slightest.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 8:11 PM 5

40. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

Exactly! You got what you paid for! In Android world, entry and midrangers may or may not get OS updates. If you want updates, get the flagship series. Sony isn't the one whose not updating the less specced phones, even Samsung, LG and others do it. PA is just biased, giving hate to Sony and letting all loves to Samsung.

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 3:56 AM 3

30. mixedfish

Posts: 1552; Member since: Nov 17, 2013

It's not just that, you can download all of Sony's Lollipop updated apps even though you aren't on Lollipop. So you have most of Sony's Lollipop features except for the OS changes itself.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 11:28 PM 0

52. TechNerd

Posts: 66; Member since: May 03, 2014

Still, Apple updates for older idevices are a joke. The software just becoms slower and buggier, while not adding any functionality, just changing the looks.

posted on Mar 07, 2015, 9:36 AM 0

60. mcwong644

Posts: 13; Member since: Nov 14, 2013

That's the problem with getting non nexus devices. If you want the latest os then get nexus devices.

posted on Mar 08, 2015, 7:25 AM 0

5. Phonedingo

Posts: 399; Member since: Aug 16, 2014

Probably not referring to the 2014 models if I had to bet.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:14 PM 0

7. Planterz

Posts: 2120; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

I don't own a Sony (my broken Xperia X10 doesn't count), but this doesn't bother me. I prefer KK over LP anyway.

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:19 PM 1

8. WackJobs

Posts: 30; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

They do things like this year after another n so on, and they wonder why they're not making any money with their mobile business...

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 6:23 PM 0

29. medtxa

Posts: 1655; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

They have capable enginers, problems with their CEO like nokia with windows phone and HTC with M9?

posted on Mar 06, 2015, 11:19 PM 0

9. anleoflippy

Posts: 596; Member since: Jan 03, 2013

For a second there, I thought the title was "Sony says there'll be no Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its first generation Xperia Z smartphones". Oh well, I only have the Tablet Z.