Sony Xperia Z3, Z2 Android 5.1 Lollipop Update; Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact Release Date And Specs

By Richard Waelty
Sony Xperia Z4
Sony's new Xperia Z4 smartphones are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo April 20, 2015. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

Release date gossip for the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact favor an early September launch. How true are these rumors? In the meantime, Sony has rolled out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update the Xperia Z3 and Z2. However, U.S. carriers such as T-Mobile and Verizon have yet to roll out this update.

Alleged Email Leaks Suggests New Sony Device Featuring This Fall

Android Pit reportedly came across leaked emails suggesting that Sony is planning for a "November device", which may or may not be the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact. For now, details are murky.

However, the same email leak allegedly confirmed the Xperia Z3+, which was released this earlier this year. Sony is expected to be showcasing new devices at the upcoming IFA 2015 conference in Berlin, Germany. The event will be held September 4 thru 9.

It remains to be seen whether the Xperia Z5 will be revealed at IFA 2015.

Xperia Z5 Spec Rumors

In early July, Technodify reported that the Xperia Z5 comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM, fingerprint scanning technology, 4K video recording and much more. However, the source of their information remains anonymous.

This report comes less than a month after Sony launched its latest Xperia Z3+ worldwide. In Japan, the Xperia Z3+ is known as the Xperia Z4. It remains to be seen whether the Japanese tech giant launch a new device just months after a major release. As always, consumers should take rumors with the proverbial grain of salt.

Android 5.1 Lollipop Rolling Out to Xperia Z3, Z2

In July, Sony rolled out the long-promised Android 5.1 Lollipop firmware for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2. The update is also available for Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and Xperia Z2 Tablet.

Naturally, it will take awhile before U.S. carriers start introducing Android 5.1 Lollipop to their versions of the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2. Wireless providers usually need to conduct extensive testing before a new operating system is rolled out to subscribers. On the other hand, users with unlocked devices will get their updates first.

Sony also plans to introduce Android 5.1 Lollipop to the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra over the coming weeks. Afterwards, the company will add Android 5.1 Lollipop to the Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia C3. The fourth Sony rollout for Android 5.1 will reach the original Xperia Z series, Xperia M2 and Xperia M2 Aqua.

Android 5.1 Lollipop Changes for Xperia Z3, Z2

According to Sony, Android 5.1 Lollipop will bring a number of changes. These include increased customization options, new LinkedIn integration, improved camera, enhanced enterprise support and SmartWear integration.

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