Could some Xperia Jelly Bean updates arrive before the end of the year?

by XB on 22/10/2012

in Android, Firmware

Last week Sony Mobile confirmed that the new Xperia T/TX/V handsets would get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean by mid Q1 2013. Sony made no mention on when the rest of the 2012 Xperia line-up would see the updates, apart from confirming that most of the range would see the update at some point. Now take the following with a massive pinch of salt, but techenclave is reporting that a number of 2012 Sony Xperia handsets will see Android 4.1 Jelly Bean launch this year.


techenclave says that the “information comes from our sources within Sony Mobile Communications (and a 3rd party in between, trusted source),” we’re not entirely sure what the bracketed part means? Anyway, the site claims that the Xperia S, Xperia ion and Xperia acro S will receive the update by the end of October/early November.


They go on to say that the Xperia U and Xperia sola will also receive the JB update, this is despite the phones not being included in the initial Sony Mobile post. However, Sony did confirm in the comments section that it was “still evaluating potential upgrades for Xperia sola/Xperia U smartphones and will be back with more information shortly.” So if you own either phone we wouldn’t give up hope yet. techenclave says that the Xperia P, Xperia U, Xperia go and Xperia sola will receive the JB update by early December.


Whilst the site claims to have some inside track on the Android Xperia launch schedule, we find it hard to believe. For example, if the news is true, why would Sony Mobile reveal the JB timeline for the Xperia T/TX/V (February 2013), but leave out the others which are meant to launch earlier? If the JB launch for these phones is imminent, then surely Sony would have greater clarity on timing?


Plus, there is every possibility that new firmware would have popped up on the PTCRB website if an update was to release in the next fortnight for the Xperia S, Xperia ion and Xperia acro S . Now we know, the PTCRB isn’t bullet-proof and that sometimes firmware doesn’t appear on the site until much later, but it does have a pretty good track record for most updates.


Whilst we’d love to believe that this report is true, we don’t see it personally. We have covered the Sony Xperia Android programme since day one and Sony has never announced a later date for some phones and pleasantly surprised with an earlier date for other phones down the line. We’d love to be proved wrong, but if the JB launch date really was imminent, Sony would shout it from the rooftops, rather than get the bad PR they did. Sony has kept quiet on timing for the Xperia S and other phones so don’t hold your breath if you’re expecting to see it this year.

Source Via: techenclave. & Xperiablog