Android Lollipop End Of Life Cycle For Sony Xperia Devices: Older Xperia Z, Mid-Range And Low-End Devices

Sony Mobile released the Android Lollipop for older Xperia Z Series even though it has reached end of life cycle on Android KitKat. Will the company still reconsider Android M for these devices?

First Generation Sony Xperia Z

Sony Mobile decided to upgrade the older Xperia Z Series such as Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Tablet Z to Android Lollipop. However, these devices have already reached the end of life cycle on Android KitKat which overridden by the manufacturer. Check out the release and expiration date of these models based on the 18-month software support followed by manufacturers:

- Sony Xperia Z: Released in February 2013, expired in August 2014

- Sony Xperia ZL: Released in March 2013, expired in September 2014

- Sony Xperia ZR: Released in June 2013, expired in December 2014

- Sony Xperia Z Ultra: Released in July 2013, expired in January 2015

- Sony Xperia Tablet Z: Released in May 2013, expired in November 2014

The company could reconsider the Android M upgrade for one possible factor which is improvements, optimisations and bug fixes based from Android Lollipop OS. Users must wait for the official announcement from Sony Mobile after the launching of Android M this year.

Android KitKat And Android Jelly Bean Based Xperia Devices

There are certain mid-range and low-end Xperia smartphones which have been ended on either Android KitKat or Android Jelly Bean with no hope of getting an official Android Lollipop upgrade. These devices are not also upgradable to Android M unless users decided to resort for custom ROMs.

- Sony Xperia E1: Android KitKat final upgrade.

- Sony Xperia M: Android Jelly Bean final upgrade.

- Sony Xperia C: Android Jelly Bean factory OS.

- Sony Xperia SP: Android Jelly Bean final upgrade.

- Sony Xperia V: Android Jelly Bean final upgrade.

- Sony Xperia T and TX: Android Jelly Bean final upgrade.

- Sony Xperia L: Android Jelly Bean final upgrade.

- Sony Xperia E: Android Jelly Bean factory OS.

Getting Android Lollipop Or Android M OS

Custom ROM is the only way to get the latest Android OS such as 5.0 Lollipop or the upcoming Android M version. There are several dedicated websites and developers for Sony Xperia users creating modified ROMs just to share the Android Lollipop experience.

1. FreeXperia Project or FXP: Dedicated to various Sony Xperia smartphones and tablets. FXP offers free custom ROMs based on CM or CyanogenMod.

2. CyanogenMod Community: CyanogenMod developers are also providing custom ROMs for Sony Xperia users based on Android Open Source Project or AOSP.

3. XDA Developers Forum: A entire forum providing custom ROMs and tips for all Android users. Several custom ROM brands are available here including Paranoid Android, Dirty Unicorns, CyanogenMod and more.

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