We’ve heard Sony speak out about how they want to beat all other OEMs when it comes to Android OS releases and with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, they did just that. In fact, the only company to release that build of Android before Sony was Google, which almost comes as a given. Now the Xperia makers have achieved another milestone – beating Google to the release of the Android February security patch. Here is Kris Carlon from Android Authority:

 Yesterday, Sony began issuing the February security patch from Google to the Xperia XZ, X Performance, X and X Compact. This is notable because Google hasn’t even issued the February patch to Pixel or Nexus devices yet, not even in the Android 7.1.2 beta release which started rolling out two days ago.

The Xperia security patch is dated February 1 and comes as part of build number 39.2.A.0.417 for the Xperia XZ and X Performance and build number 34.2.A.0.311 for the Xperia X and X Compact. The Xperia XA does not seem to be getting the update. 

Damn. I’m not sure what’s changed at Sony Mobile but just a year ago, they like many other Android OEMs were struggling with OS builds that were more than a year old and here they are beating Google to releases. Sony Mobile just yesterday reported their Q3 FY16 earnings report, which once again saw Xperia sales shrink. Hopefully with this type of internal momentum and a slew of devices set to be released at MWC, 2017 can finally be the year their mobile division gets back on track. Have you seen the Android February security patch go live for your phone yet?