KitKat on Xperia - Which Devices and When? (Updated)

Sony has finally released details of the KitKat and Jellybean updates… KitKat is coming to Xperia smartphones at last! We’ve been anxious about software updates since Sony initially teased us future upgrades. We know that in addition to the new KitKat 4.4, some devices will receive another injection of sweet Jelly Bean. Read on to find out which Xperias will be updated and more about what treasures KitKat brings.

Update – The very latest plans for the KitKat upgrade; which models, when and what’s included are all here. May 2014- More Xperia Updates for: SP, M, M2, Z, ZR, Z1 Compact

KitKat:

Xperia Z, Z1, Xperia ZL, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 – Date not given yet

KitKat Under Investigation:

Xperia ZR, Xperia ZL, Xperia T, Xperia TX, Xperia V, Xperia SP

Jellybean 4.3:

Xperia Z, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z (+wi-fi version) – Available now

Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia TX and Xperia V- Due from December onwards

Feb 2014: New firmware for the Sony Xperia M (single and dual) has been certified, likely 4.3 Jellybean

Vodafone Australia has revealed four Xperia phones being tested for Jellybean 4.3 updates: the Xperia M, SP, TX and Z.

Refresh: What Goodies Come With Sony Xperia Jellybean 4.3?

Sony has listed these enhancements with the 4.3 update:

Google’s Android 4.3; Jelly Bean as standard – bringing Project Butter performance & UI optimisation and a smoother graphical experience

Launched with Xperia Z1, we’re now bringing Sony’s Smart Social Camera to these devices – our signature camera experience, that lets you download, access and enjoy “Xperia camera apps” directly from within the viewfinder

We’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions – bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for (to name but a few): Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, Sony Select and…

Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration* – a more converged and full Sony entertainment experience – Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a more intuitive UI, offering seamless access to both local and cloud content

The launch of our unique custom interface experience: “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select – more on this soon…

The latest Android security enhancements, matched with Sony’s mobile enterprise solution: Xperia in Business

Battery STAMINA Mode – updated version of Sony’s power management app, now with refreshed interface and more smart options for prolonging battery life

Refresh: What Goodies Come With KitKat?

Google has given us some of the highlights:

Faster multitasking
More elegant user interface
Smarter caller ID uses Google Maps to tell us who is calling even if the number is not yet saved in our phone
Integrated messaging via Hangouts combining usual messaging with downloaded messaging apps like Whatsapp and Viber
Instantly activate voice commands by saying “OK Google”
Music scrobbling via lockscreen
Much better emoji support
Email app redesign
Extremely low battery-usage during music playback (audio tunneling)

Update Me: Which Devices get KitKat?

The lower device specifications mean that many more devices are capable of the latest operating system, though it’s still up to Sony which of our Xperias will get it. Google has significantly reduced the RAM requirements for KitKat, allowing devices with as little as 512mb of RAM to use the new operating system. This suggests that we could find KitKat running on smartphones ranging from the inexpensive to the luxury in the future. That would considerably assist app developers that want to create apps that would be compatible with every future Android device. This will stretch beyond smartphones to wearable devices, like Glass and smartwatches. Sony mentioned in their tweet Jellybean 4.3 in addition to KitKat 4.4. That very likely means that some phones will not be updated to KitKat or at least in this wave of updates. Though, some phones on earlier Jellybean versions could be uplifted directly to KitKat. So, will your phone get more Jellybean or KitKat?

Factors to consider:

Flagships, updates to flagships and phablets are extremely likely (Z, ZL, ZR, Z Ultra, Z1)
Regional variations are often left out, but possibly a 4.3 update (C)
Mid-tier models with wide availability often get newer updates, but often last devices to get it (L, M)
Budget phones are less likely to get KitKat, but possibly a 4.2 or 4.3 update (E)
The ability of the phone to use the newer operating system does not guarantee a newer update. The manufacturer has many considerations, some of which aren’t revealed to us
Some 2012 late-release phones could get an update, more likely the later and higher-value handsets. Note that the Xperia T was updated to Jellybean