Which Sony Xperia smartphones will get Android 9.0 Pie and when the update will be available
The final version of Android 9.0 called Pie was released on August 6, 2018 for the Google Pixel and Essential Phone series smartphones. From that moment, manufacturers began to announce the release dates of the new operating system for their devices. Sony has announced that the first wave of smartphones, for which Android 9.0 Pie will be released, will hit six flagships of the 2017-2018 model range:
Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Sony Xperia XZ2
Sony Xperia
Sony Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
For devices from this list, Android 9.0 Pie will be available from September to November 2018, the new version of the software can be downloaded and installed “over the air” through the built-in OTA update system or using the Xperia Companion application for Windows and macOS.
Later, Android 9.0 Pie-based firmware will be released for some Xperia XA smartphones. Currently officially announced that in early 2019, the update will be available for smartphones:
Sony Xperia XA2
Sony Xperia XA2 Plus
Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra
Since 2017, Google has changed the principle of updating Android and devices that were released on Android 8.0 Oreo have a “modularity” of software - Project Treble, which simplifies and speeds up the process of releasing updates by separating the base part of the operating system from the add-ons of the manufacturer. Thanks to this, Android 9.0 Pie can become a record holder among all Android versions in terms of distribution rates.
The operating system itself has received significant changes not only in terms of architecture, but also in the interface and experience of use. Android 9 has a new navigation system using the main screen button, system settings, notifications, screenshots and volume control have been reworked. In addition, tools have been added to track the duration of work with applications, set time limits for their use, and improve the “Do Not Disturb” mode for day and night time. Android 9 also adds a lot of features based on machine learning and the work of additional artificial intelligence chips, in particular, this adaptation of power consumption of applications depending on the usage scenarios and more effective adjustment of the screen brightness to suit the user's habits and environment.
In Xperia UI, based on Android 9, Sony will continue to develop the concept of combining user experience, close to the "pure" Android, with the implementation of their own innovations to improve interaction with devices and more efficient work with smartphones. In particular, these are smart algorithms of energy saving and increasing the battery life Stamina, Battery Care and Qnovo, 3D scanning of objects and people, unique Dynamic Vibration System technology for tactile sensation of the content displayed on the screen, Hi-Res audio support, 4K HDR recording and playback videos and more.