Android 6.0 Marshmallow Update Release Date for Sony Xperia Z5, Z4, Z3 Series Smartphones

Sep 23, 2015 05:41 PM EDT

Android fans are awaiting the rollout of Android 6.0, aka Marshmallow or Android M, but as it happens with every Android upgrade, it is a waiting game.  The usual pattern is that the rollout happens on Google's flagship devices (aka the Nexus series) and then moves on to other smartphone manufacturers like Samsung, LG, HTC, and Sony.  This has left a lot of people wondering if the Sony Xperia Z5 phones will be getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow from the get-go, and when it can be expected for the Z3 and others in the Xperia series. 

According to Tech Radar, Sony has not confirmed which devices will be receiving the imminent Android update, but it is a "safe bet" that the Sony Xperia Z3+, the Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Z3 Compact, Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet, and the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet compact will be getting it, and 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?  As most Android users are aware, no Android device currently runs Marshmallow, but it is possible to predict a date when it might come to Sony's flagship products. 

From what we know about the Google Nexus series, there is a huge event planned on September 29th.  It is believe that the next generation of Nexus devices will be unveiled, and these devices will be the first to run 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 after the big rollout that will most likely take place at the end of September on the Google Nexus series.