When it comes to Android, particularly the latest version of 6.0, also known as Android M or Marshmallow, it has been pretty slow to roll out. After all, it has been available since last fall, but only became available to Google's own Nexus series at the beginning. Now, it is starting to roll out to some of the newer Android devices like those of LG, HTC, Motorola, and Samsung. However, when it comes to Sony, the rollout can be pretty slow, but this is what is known about the Android M Version 6.0 Marshmallow Release Date for Sony Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium, Z4, and Z3 Series and More for US Cellular, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.
There really hasn't been any news about the Android rollout to Sony products that has changed since last week. According to the International Business Times, Sony UK just acknowledged that Xperia handsets are going to start receiving Android 6.0 starting on March 7. It is reported that the first set of devices to receive such firmware include the Xperia Z3 +, the Z4 tablet, and the rest of the Z5 series including the Z5, Z5 Premium, and the Z5 Compact.
The March 7 release date or target date was also confirmed by the Lawyer Herald, and XperiaBlog.net also highlighted that new firmware has already been certified by the BTRCB for Xperia Z3+ with a build number 32.1.A.0.434.
In fact, Android Authority reported last year (in December) that the Z4, Z5, and Z5 Premium were running the Marshmallow firmware and "made a visit" to the Wi-Fi certification database, which pointed to an imminent arrival. At the beginning of February 2016, Sony launched a beta program specific to the Z3, Z3 Compact, Z2 in Italy, as well as the Netherlands and Spain.
If the March 7th date is true, then it stands to reason that a global rollout will be coming, particularly in the United States. Here is a list of Sony Xperia devices that are slated to receive the update.
- Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium
- Sony Xperia Z3+ / Z4
- Sony Xperia C5 Ultra
- Sony Xperia C4
- Sony Xperia M5
- Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
- Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPE
- Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3v, Compact, Tablet Compact
- Sony Xperia Z2, Z2 Tablet
Considering that it is often the case that some carriers receive the newest version of Android before others, it is possible that it could come later on US Cellular, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
For those that might not know, Sony is a little slow in getting Android upgrades, and it is the last of the major Android smart device manufacturers not to have it on their devices. Most of the other leading companies like HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and LG have version 6.0 on their flagships, so it stands to reason that Sony will have it soon. The March 7th date seems more like a target at this point, so it remains to be seen whether or not that will happen.
