Sony has come up with an official Android upgrade policy applicable to its Xperia devices. According to the terms of the policy, the top-end Xperia phones will be eligible to receive updates to the latest Android version for two years from the date of their official launch.
However, buyers of the mid-range Xperia handsets are not so lucky as such devices have no such fixed timeline for receiving the latest updates. Instead, such devices getting the updates will be subject to their hardware compatibility with the future Android versions. Also, the Xperia handsets from the lower order will receive the updates only if they are found to offer a stable user experience post the update.
The policy which perhaps is the first of its kind to be announced by any Android device manufacturer spells out clear terms for Xperia devices to receive the latest Android updates. With the flagship Xperia devices guaranteed to receive an update for at least two years, those no doubt can be the best bet for anyone out to buy a high-end Android phone.
Apart from Sony, the only other company that have such clear terms to upgrade to newer Android version happens to be Google itself for its Pixel range of phones. The policy also states that Android security patches as well as patches applicable to the specific Xperia devices or updates from third-party component manufacturers too will be made available in a timely manner as and when deemed necessary.
The upgrades can be in the form of firmware updates or bundled within Android upgrades. Apart from the Android-specific updates, Sony also shared its plans with regard to the security patches in view of the Spectre and Meltdown malware threat.
Among the list of devices that are eligible to receive the update include Xperia XA1, Xperia XA1 Ultra, Xperia L1, Xperia XA1 Plus, Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra, Xperia L2, Xperia X Performance, Xperia X, Xperia X Compact, Xperia XZ, Xperia XZ Premium, Xperia XZs, Xperia XZ1, and Xperia XZ1 Compact.
The latter two that is Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact happen to be the Sony flagship devices for 2017 and are the first to offer Android Oreo right out of the gates. So going by the company’s Android upgrade program, those will be eligible to Android P and Q up to 2019, which surely will be a great thing.
