Official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Sony Xperia Z series is halfway to its deadline and XDA developers caught Android 4.3 firmware for Xperia Z and ZL with build number 10.4.B.0.569, which may rollout in the next few weeks.

Leaked Android 4.3 Firmware

Androxyde, XDA developer member, leaked an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware update FTF for Xperia Z C6603 and Xperia ZL 6503 that represents build number 10.4.B.0.569 for both smartphones. The leaked firmware is not clear if it is final or under developmental stage but is expected to come out in a few weeks after Sony's update deadline for Jelly Bean.

Androxyde also tagged the release as 'Commercial&Journalists' which can be flashed using flash toolkit. No details regarding the firmware have exposed by the XDA developer member. Check out the files and screenshot of Android 4.3 firmware for Xperia Z and Xperia ZL.

Sony's Upgrade Calendar

December 2013 is the month when Sony will be pushing Android 4.3 updates for several Xperia smartphones, including Xperia Z series, Xperia SP, Xperia T/TX and Xperia V. Lower-end devices such as Xperia L, Xperia M and Xperia C have not made it to the list of recipients and hopefully Sony may reconsider giving them one.

Android 4.3 selected devices are also eligible to receive Android 4.4 KitKat, according to Sony. But owners will need to engage first on Android 4.3 update this December then later for Android KitKat by 2014. It is expected that Xperia Z series will get the latest software version by Q1 next year followed by other eligible Xperia smartphones in 2014.

Excluded Devices

Sony didn't confirm exclusion of any devices. But right now it is obvious that older Xperia smartphones won't get any Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or Android 4.4 KitKat upgrades next year till otherwise, re-affirmed by the company.

Here are some Xperia smartphones currently excluded to Android 4.3 or 4.4 updates:

1. Xperia Arc/Arc S

2. Xperia Neo/Neo V/Neo L

3. Xperia PLAY

4. Xperia Mini/Mini Pro

5. Xperia Ray

6. Xperia S/SL

7. Xperia Go

8. Xperia Sola

9. Xperia Ion HSPA/LTE

10. Xperia U

11. Xperia P

12. Xperia Tipo

13. Xperia Miro

14. Xperia J/L/M/C

15. Xperia E/E Dual