If you’re using a Sony Xperia device and are wondering when you’ll be getting the Android 9 Pie update, then the brand has the answer for you. But don’t be shocked though if you found that it is going to take some time before you can see the update for your Xperia phone.
Starting in November, Sony promises that the Android Pie update will be available for its Xperia XZ2 and XZ1 lines, as well as the first XZ Premium. If you’re using XA2 devices, then you’ll be getting them in early 2019 instead.
What’s with the wait, you asked? Sony has actually provided the answer, in the form of an infographic.
While the infographic is an extremely simplified version of the process, it does give a clearer picture of what’s going on behind the scenes. Essentially, there’s a lot of tweaking to make sure the software works with the hardware. Not only that, there is also the process of addition custom UI onto the base OS which is also known as skinning.
After that, comes a lot of testing, internally and externally, to make sure everything works out. The final step is adding carrier-specific stuff although we don’t see much of this in Malaysia any more. After all these processes are completed, only then the new Android update is rolled out to users.
While Sony uses one that’s pretty close to stock Android, it is unclear if it takes less or the same amount of effort as it would a heavily customised one, assuming other brands go through this same process.
This may not placate users nor will it justify the long and frustrating waiting process, but at least you know the reason behind the pace. This may also explain why most brands only work on the latest version of Android for their flagship devices, and even then only for the most recent few generations.
If you’d like to take a look at the infographic, hit the link to Sony down below.
