Android L Update: Which Sony Xperia Devices Are In and Out on the Next Generation OS

Sony Mobile is now rolling out Android KitKat on several Xperia devices worldwide before Android L goes official. So which Sony Xperia smartphones and tablets eligible to receive the next generation Android OS?

Android L Firmware Update

Android L is expected to be released officially around fall of 2014 similar to Android KitKat last year. Most devices running Android KitKat are eligible to receive an Android L update before 2014 ends or by early next year.

Android L Developer Preview remains bugged since it was not meant for commercial use but instead for developers to optimise apps before the official release.

Latest Xperia Z Series

According to the first set of Xperia models on the Android KitKat upgrade plans of Sony Mobile, users of Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra are likely to get Android L first-hand.

However, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet are both expected to be included on the first batch since these devices featured Android 4.4.2 KitKat contrast to Xperia Z1's Android 4.2 Jelly Bean factory OS. Sony Xperia Z1S is also eligible to get Android L since it is the U.S. variant of Xperia Z1 original.

Other Xperia Z Series

Not all Xperia Z devices might receive Android L depending on how Sony Mobile views the software support duration and other factors. Previous flagship Xperia Z devices such as Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Z Tablet may have some issues related to their official release date.

Sony Xperia ZR has the longest software support and Sony Mobile may not just update one older Xperia Z device to Android L. It is a choice between "no updates" or "update them all" for equality of users but the company has not confirmed such possibility at this time.

Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z received Android 4.2, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and Android 4.4.2 KitKat within its life cycle. Sony Mobile alone has the right to decide to extend software support for Android L and if it does happen, it would likely be the final firmware version for these devices.

Mid-Range Xperia Devices

Android 4.4.2 KitKat is now out for Xperia T2 Ultra and T2 Ultra Dual as planned by Sony Mobile on their upgrade plan. In addition to Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and Xperia M2 were both mentioned on the list to receive Android KitKat this year.

Other expected to get Android L includes Xperia C3 and C3 Dual while status on Xperia M and Xperia C remains unknown.

Older Xperia Devices

Sony Xperia SP, Xperia T/TX and Xperia V are unlikely to receive Android L this year due to the following factors:

1. Software support for these devices reached the expiration period.

2. Two major firmware releases have been rolled out for Xperia T, TX and V.

3. Xperia SP is likely to end on Android 4.4.2 KitKat as its second major update and final firmware version.

Unfortunately, Sony Xperia Tablet S Wi-Fi and 3G are both out on the list and it is obvious since Sony only updated the tablets to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean version.

One other way to achieve Android L aside from Sony Mobile is by resorting to third-party developers such as FreeXperia Team to release their own version of the firmware probably by next year.