Fresh from Sony’s blogsite is an announcement that Android KitKat updates for the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra, and Xperia Z1 Compact “starts right about now”. Not only that, the company also has a couple of niceties for its users. They also announced the devices that are next in line for the update.
On top of the standard performance and UI optimization of the latest Android update, Sony has thrown in a few extras to go along with it:
- Tweaked Status Bar and Quick Settings are more intuitive and customizable so you only get the notifications you need
- Sony PlayStation 4-inspired user interface
- Proprietary apps like Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Sony Select, Smart Social Camera get updated and improved
- Sony’s media apps integrated with Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories with more intuitive UI, better download speeds, and more
- Xperia themes with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select
Sony has also announced what other Xperia devices will get the Android KitKat update.
Starting mid Q2:
No definite date but sure to get KitKat updates:
- Xperia T2 Ultra
- Xperia E1
- Xperia M2
Do consider that update availability varies by country and carrier. If you own one of the aforementioned devices and still haven’t gotten your fix, you may manually check by going to the About Device option in the Settings of your Xperia device at the scheduled date.
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It’s now November, still the kitkat update for the Sony Xperia M2 (via SMART) has not yet landed in the Philippines despite being released last Aug 15 abroad. haaizzzz…
xperia m2 pls
@nego, have downloaded files from xperiafirmware-dotcom, not sure if its legit. but I’ll just wait for your updates about the results. thanks.
Here try this sir
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2687443
Sir update lang negative ang root/flash ng 4.4 sa Z1 ko nag h-hang sa process ng fota.ta, nag flash tuloy ako pabalik sa 4.2 later I will try the official update removing my previous Dual-recovery CWM\TWRP root. I downloaded the SG generic C6903 variant for flash. Darn! Worst case lang naman is data wipe-out ako, I didn’t back-up sa recovery even sa PCC. :(
@nego, have you already performed the flashing of kitkat on your device? are there no issues after updating… any specific guides i could follow for me to perform the flashing? thanks.
Not yet sir, mejo busy pa kasi sa trabaho. Pero na DL ko na ang files through bitorrent app. Will try sa rest day ko. Update kita for the result. Dunno kung ok mag post ng links dito sa xda, you can visit the site also. :)
Hi, I want to update my Z1 to kitkat, the unit is issued was obtained from Smart, it seems I cannot obtain the update via PC Companion. Can you suggest the safest way on how I can get the update. I’m not familiar with flashing and rooting, but I’m interested to learn it if this is the only way. I heard that battery enhancements comes with the Kitkat update,thus I’m more willing to have this on my Z1.
Thanks in advance.
Yo! The safest way to update your Z1 is to wait for the official Smart-PH update OTA, using PCC or SUS. Flashing can be done if you want to update it faster (you don’t have to wait for the update) and is easier compared to rooting, you can use other generic firmwares available. Rooting is actually different it gives you full access to your device (SSU) and isn’t necessary if flash lang ang gusto mo. Correct me if I’m wrong mga sir, I’m a newbie din sa Android.
Hmm wala pa din sakin update e. sure ba na sa Philippines naka out na?
smart locked xperia Z here, i just flashed it with the unbranded singapore generic firmware it has been fine so far and got regular over the air updates. So I’m sticking with the generic singapore firmware
so stick with it, you don’t have to tell the world about it
Almost 2013 lineup mag Kitkat
Anong sinabi ng midrange phone ng iba dyan!!
Nganga??? Hahahaha
The Z series phones are high end, there’s no date yet for the L and SP (lower and upper mid-range devices)
Finally! Been waiting for this update since Feb. A few more days meron na ring rootable niyan. Antay antay na lang. Anyway my Smart locked Z1 wala pa din kahit 4.3 Jellybean update leaving me no choice but flash and root my device just to experience new updates. My friends year or two year old HTC One naka Kitkat na since Jan. Mejo late or mabagal ang updates ng Sony.
Wooh. Kakasabi ko lang a few more days meron ng rootable, meron na agad sa xda. Will root and flash my Z1 sa day-off. :)
buti ka pa! yung Smart-issued Xperia V ko nakalock yung bootloader.
not sure if I am allowed to ask this question here, pero may way ba para ma-unlock yun? kasi sabi sa website ni tsubasa (CM developer) di daw pwede.
I’m not into unlocking bootloader sir Maui, I checked mine hindi rin allowed ang Z1.
@MAui. meron po sa sony mismo pag unlock ng bootloader. shempre ma void ang warranty mo pag ginawa mo yun. pero official yung pang unlock, kasi galing sony mismo
Ah ok. thanks sa feedback. unusual lang na more than a month na pero wala pa rin update na dumadating sa phone ko (tried both sony pc companion and OTA update) pero yung officemate ko na naka xperia V din (binili nya sa greenhills), may update agad! so I figured na dahil nga sa carrier, since galing sa Smart yung unit ko, kaya wala pa din update.
Antay na lang ako siguro pero pag nag 1 year na to sakin at wala pa rin, hanap na ako iba hehe! though wala pa naman ako complain sa xperia v so no biggie.
Try mo flash sir. Matagal pa yan kung iintayin mo lang ang Smart, nag tweet na ako sa kanila about 4.3 update ng Z1 wala naman resolution. Try flashing sa ibang versions.