Android 6.0 Marshmallow and Lollipop Update Release Date for Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, Z4, Z3

Sep 30, 2015 07:12 PM EDT

It was expected that with the big Google announcement on September 29th, the newest Nexus devices would be formally announced, and they would come with the latest version of the Android operating system: Android 6.0 (also known as Android M or Marshmallow).  These new devices were the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P, and Marshmallow will be delivered to the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 9 on October 5th.  What about other smartphone series, like the popular Sony Xperia series, who have not received Android Lollipop in some cases? 

According to Android Pit, Sony has "remained silent" about the Android update schedule, but it is said that the Xperia Z4, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3+, and the Xperia Z4 tablet will receive the update to Marshmallow. 

It is possible that even the lower end phones such as the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua will be getting it too.   There is even reason to suspect that older devices such as the Sony Xperia Z2 and the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact will be receiving it.  Anything earlier than that might be considered non-upgradeable, but with the Sony Xperia Z1 and the Sony Xperia Z being upgraded to Android Lollipop, there is still a chance. 

So what do we know about the release date of Marshmallow to the Sony Xperia Z Series?  It is possible to predict a date when it might come to Sony's flagship products.  Pocket Lint states that Sony took a few months to roll out the Lollipop update, so it probably will take just as much time to get out that Marshmallow update.  If it follows the trend like last year's Android 5.0, it could take a year for Sony products to get Android 6.0. 

From there, it is all about the trickle-down, but Sony is somewhat good about getting the latest version of Android to their mobile devices.  Of course the newest devices will be the first in line to get it, which means that owners of the Sony Xperia Z5, the Z5 Compact, and the Z5 Premium will be able to claim it soon.  By "it", I mean the smartphone itself, as all three versions of the phone have not hit the market as yet. 

So the big question is if the three smartphones of the new Z5 series have Marshmallow out of the box.  The answer to that question is:  "Why wouldn't they".   The Xperia Z5 and the Z5 Compact are slated to be launched globally starting October 2015, with the Xpereia Z5 Premium starting on November 2015. It is possible that Marshmallow could be readily available to Z5 users from the get-go, provided Sony really pursues the Android upgrade right now.