Sony has confirmed the Sony Xperia Z1 will be getting an Android 4.4 KitKat update, along with a host of other handsets.
A week after Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat, Sony has revealed its upgrade plans for the Xperia Z1 and other high-end handsets.
The Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1 will all be getting the Android KitKat update, but Sony hasn’t yet outlined any time-frames.
The Japanese electronics manufacturer did say that the aforementioned devices will make up “the first raft” of updates, suggesting that more devices will be upgraded to KitKat in the future.
Sony also revealed that a number of handsets would also be getting an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update “from next month”.
These are: the Xperia T, Xperia TX, Xperia V, Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP, Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia Z1.
HTC has also confirmed its plans for Android 4.4 updates, with unlocked HTC One handsets getting the latest Android edition within 30 days of Google’s announcement. Network locked versions will get Android KitKat within 90 days.
Android 4.4 KitKat Features
Launched alongside the Nexus 5, Android 4.4 KitKat introduces a load of minor changes over Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, rather than a huge UI overhaul.
When on the Google Now screen or home screen, you can now say “OK Google” to launch voice search, send texts or access other smartphone features.
Google has also slimmed down the memory footprint of Android KitKat so that it only requires 512MB of RAM to run, making it more compatible with lower-end, budget handsets. Memory optimisation has also increased multitasking capability in KitKat.
There’s a new Hangouts app in KitKat too, which replaces the original messages app. It collates all messages from a single contact in one conversation – regardless of whether it’s an email, SMS, MMS or other chat format.
Next, read our iPhone 5S vs Sony Xperia Z1 comparison.
