Sony Mobile already announced Android 4.3 update for Xperia Z line and selected Xperia phones currently running Android 4.1. However, owners may have to wait until December 2013 to receive 4.3 Jelly Bean which could actually push Android 4.4 KitKat in 2014.

Source: Sony Mobile

Android 4.3 Firmware Update

Sony Mobile finally detailed its upgrade plan to a number of Xperia handsets with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS. According to XperiaBlog, a French network carrier, Free Mobile, hinted out the official firmware update release date on December 2013 timeline for Sony Xperia SP smartphone which currently runs Android 4.1.2 with updated transparent UI and extended quick settings.

Credit: Xperia Blog

Xperia SP is out among several chosen smartphones which run Android 4.1 to go straight on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean as the smartphone hasn't received any Android 4.2.2. This trend is also happening to the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, jumping from Android 4.1 to Android 4.3. Manufacturers decided to save time and effort by creating 4.3 update instead of dealing with 4.2.2 firmware - imagine how tasking it is.

November 2013 Release Date

Xperia Z family now runs Android 4.2.2 due to updating efforts of Sony Mobile and made them eligible for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Xperia SP 4.3 update leaked from Free Mobile which could mean that Xperia Z, ZR, ZL, Z Ultra, Tablet Z and the latest Z1 will get Android 4.3 by late November as priority.

Sony Xperia Z family received their Android 4.2.2 firmware quicker compared with other Xperia phones in the list and no doubt they should since the Z series are Sony's flagship.

December 2013 Release Date

Sony Mobile announced earlier of updating some Xperia phones running Android 4.1 to Android 4.3 and most of these handsets are mid-range such as Xperia SP and Xperia V. Since the company would likely send updates early on the Xperia Z family, other Xperia phones may wait until December 2013.

Lucky owners of these phones are expected to get new features such as Lock screen Widgets, Actionable Notifications, Daydream, Bluetooth Smart and OpenGL ES 3.0 from Android 4.3 update. Another benefit is the eligibility to get Android 4.4 KitKat very soon.

Android 4.4 KitKat Update

Since the information revealed Android 4.3 update for Xperia SP on December 2013 while Xperia Z line may get earlier, Android 4.4 would likely be available as early as the ending of 2013 or by January 2014.

Sony could plan on releasing 4.4 version before or after the Xperia Z1 successor has been announced in the two major tech trade shows next year - Consumer Electronics Show and Mobile World Congress in January and February respectively.