These five Sony Xperia phones are now receiving Android 17
The current Xperia flagship model, two previous flagship models, and a pair of mid-rangers are being upodated.
Sony rolls out Android 17 to certain Xperia phones | Image by Sony
Sony's strange smartphone existence will some day be the subject of a B-school study, a New York Times bestseller, and a Tony Award-winning Broadway play. Sony's partnership with Ericsson got off to a good start with 2008's Xperia X1 with its unique panels UI. The Windows Mobile powered smartphone remains one of the distinct smartphones to try and knock the OG iPhone off its pedestal.
As the years went by, Sony Ericsson tried several different tacks. Do you remember the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play? With a 4-inch LCD display and a slide-out gamepad based on Sony's PlayStation controllers. Eventually, Sony and Ericsson parted ways and Sony started to offer models with 4K smartphone resolution with 2015's Xperia Z5 Premium.
Sony's attempt to differentiate its phones using 4K resolution displays fails
However, lack of 4K content, consumers' inability to see much of a difference with a 4K display, and a 4K display's propensity to drain the battery made this a failure on Sony's part. The strange and incredible thing is that Sony, at the time, was a consumer electronics powerhouse whose Walkman line revolutionized personal audio consumption starting as a mobile cassette player with a lightweight headset.
The Walkman line expanded into CD players and later evolved into digital audio.
Sony keeps making its phones to use them as a proof of concept
Sony has decided that it is not worth the money it would have to shell out to partner with a Big 3 US wireless carrier. Additionally, the company prefers to sell its phones unlocked. It also uses its Xperia phones as a showcase for its industry-leading image sensors.
These are the Xperia models receiving Android 17
Five Sony Xperia models are now in the process of being updated to Android 17 according to Sony UK. These models include:
- Sony Xperia 1 VIII
- Sony Xperia 1 VII
- Sony Xperia 1 VI
- Sony Xperia 10 VIII
- Sony Xperia 10 VII
The update adds an expanded Quick Settings and lock-screen customization, features improved screen recording, and includes an external-display Desktop mode. On the Xperia 1 VIII, a user can save, name, and quickly switch between three personalized settings for color tones, contrast, and processing preferences.
Android 17 will allow you to connect your compatible Xperia phone to a large display. | Image by Sony
On the Xperia 1 VIII, Xperia 1 VII, and the Xperia 1 VI, Android 17's Desktop mode will allow users to plug in a supported display, allowing them to use multiple apps as though they were using a computer. You can add a mouse and keyboard to make it easy to check emails and view documents.
More customization is coming with Android 17
Not only are there new and refreshed wallpapers to choose from, with Android 17 you can customize the shape and style of your icons.
The phones receiving the Android 17 update include the company's current flagship, its two previous flagship models, and two mid-range models. Sony has not made it clear whether other models will also be receiving Android 17, nor do we know if the update is only available in the UK for now.
To download and install Android 17, go to Settings > Software Update.
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