Sony started Android 9 Pie roll out for its Xperia XZ2 lineup last month, and is now releasing the version for its year older Xperia XZ1 series as well. The Sony Xperia XZ1, Xperia XZ1 Compact and Xperia XZ Premium are now receiving Android 9 Pie update.
At the time of roll out of Android Pie update for the Xperia XZ2 lineup, Sony had promised to release the version for Xperia XZ1, Xperia XZ1 Compact and Xperia XZ Premium by October 26 but it has been delayed by nearly two weeks. As with any major software update, it is better late than never. Users of these three models are reporting that they are getting a new OTA update on their devices which upgrades the build number to 47.2.A.0.306.
The OTA update for these three models, not only bumps the software version to Android 9.0, but also brings the security patch to October. There is also new camera interface designed by Sony that brings new features like ability to shoot 1080p super slow-motion videos at 960 frames per second. The video mode also gains support for HDR, which should be a welcome addition.
The Android 9 Pie update from Google ditches the traditional navigation interface for a new gesture-based UI. However, Sony is not adopting the navigation gestures from Android Pie and is sticking with the software buttons, reports Xperia blog.
Android 9 Pie was made official by Google in August, and it is yet to show up on Android distribution numbers. The software is currently available only on handful of devices including Google’s own Pixel range, OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T, Nokia 7 plus, and Essential Phone to name a few. The update brings a number of new features including design changes like rounded corners and streamlined settings menu.
Watch: Sony Xperia XZ3 Hands-On
Apart from gestures interface, the update also adds new Digital Wellbeing feature that allows users to keep a tab on their smartphone use. It also brings system wide dark theme and adaptive display and adaptive battery that Google claims works based on its machine learning algorithms. The update is being pushed out in a staged manner for Xperia users, and should be available for all users within few days.
