Android 7.0 Nougat Update Release Date: Sony Xperia XA, XA Ultra, X Compact, Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium

Oct 12, 2016 11:37 AM EDT

It might be a while before your Android-powered device that is not of Google’s Nexus stable arrive with the latest Android 7.0 Nougat, so here does that leave the likes of Sony smartphone owners? Well, here are the latest news and updates as to when your Sony Xperia X and Xperia Z series smartphones would be on the receiving end of the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system update.

So far, we do know that in a leaked Android N update strategy document that hails from Sony Slovakia, it was mentioned that the 2016 flagship smartphones such as the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Performance will be obtaining the Android 7.0 Nougat update later this October -- which is not too long more to wait. As for the Sony Xperia X and X Compact, these two are being lined up for an Android 7.0 Nougat update in November -- which is pretty close after Google’s very own devices receive the update.

As for the Sony Xperia Z5 series that comprise of the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact and Xperia Z5 Premium, these are all being slated for a December release where Android 7.0 Nougat is concerned. Last but not least, the leaked Android N update strategy document points to the Sony Xperia XA and XA Ultra being prepared to receive the firmware upgrade some time in early 2017, where it should be within the first half of the year and nothing later than that. Another source points to a January 2017 release, so we really cannot do much other than sit tight and wait until the time arrives.

Sony is also touted to run the Android 7.0 Nougat Beta Program that will be made available to the Xperia devices mentioned above. It remains to be seen as to whether the likes of the Xperia M4 Aqua, Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra and Xperia C4 will be part of the Android .70 Nougat troupe though, since those are not exactly high end smartphones that rocked the world when they were first announced and subsequently, released.

Do take note that despite the information obtained is from an official branch, it would always be good to take whatever has been revealed with a pinch of salt. AFter all, history has shown that Android updates tend to end up on user devices a whole lot later compared to the dates given by the smartphone manufacturers. Sony too, has not been too quick off the mark as an OEM in the past to push such updates to the masses.

Interestingly enough, the devices that were listed in the leaked slide are also the very same ones which were supposed to obtain the latest existing Android version. Hopefully sooner rather than later would be the operative keyword for the Sony executives!

It is nice to see that even with so little market share that it is almost negligible, Sony has not forgotten about their smartphone users, hence rolling out the latest Android 7.0 Nougat update for owners of some of their selected handsets in order to keep the customer base happy.