Official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Sony Xperia SP has been delayed again and will roll out in early February instead of starting at the end of January 2014. Sony's apparent delay is suggested by a newly certified firmware by PTCRB with build number 12.1.A.0.266.

Is This the Last Delay?

Xperia SP owners were greeted with recent news of Android 4.3 roll out starting at the end of January, but everything changed due to a newly certified firmware by PTCRB. Previous firmware has the build version 12.1.A.0.263 which was scheduled to be out by this month up to early February.

However, PTCRB just posted a new firmware with build version 12.1.A.0.266 representing some incremental changes but still Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS. Now it confirms Sony's earlier details that Android 4.3 for Xperia SP will be available on early February instead of beginning at the end of January.

Unfortunately, there are no specific details of what changes have been made on the new firmware. Reports assume some minor tweaks, bug fixes, battery enhancements and performance optimisations.

Final Build for Release?

PTCRB certified four firmware versions of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Sony Xperia SP. It is unknown if the new one is the final build scheduled for release. In addition, Sony may keep releasing incremental updates for Android 4.3 before Android 4.4 KitKat.

Firmware Build Version

Certification Date

12.1.A.0.253

December 23, 2013

12.1.A.0.256

January 7, 2014

12.1.A.0.263

January 16, 2014

12.1.A.0.266

January 29, 2014

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update features major changes on Xperia SP such as Smart Social camera platform, My Xperia Themes and Xperia Z1 home launcher.

Xperia SP Owners' Reactions

Some Xperia SP users have expressed their frustrations for the delay of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Originally, Sony planned to release the firmware upgrade back in December 2013 after pushing updates for Xperia Z series.

It was delayed and pushed to January 2014 along with a certified firmware build and then followed by another certification with release date at the end of the month or early February. It seems like Sony affirms "early February" date for Xperia SP after the newly certified firmware build.

Several users have intense reactions on Xperia Blog comment boxes regarding the new firmware build.

"Early February is like early April in Sony years," said by one user.

Another user implies no more interest on buying Sony smartphones but ended the post saying it's love-hate relationship.

Some users hope that the delay caused by constant tweaking will result to 100 per cent bug-free performance and willing to wait for that kind of firmware running on Xperia SP.

But no matter how much they react, Sony won't release the firmware unless it is assured of its stability.