Following the footsteps of Google, Japanese smartphone maker Sony has announced that it will roll out software updates to its flagship smartphones for two years. Earlier, the company offered 18 months upgrade cycle. However, only the Sony flagship devices will receive the updates for a longer period.
The Sony Xperia XZ and other upcoming flagship smartphones will receive software updates for two years from the date of launch. The company, however, confirmed that Sony mid-range and entry-level phones will not get updates for two years if the hardware doesn’t meet the requirement.
“We aim to support all premium range devices with the latest Android updates for two years after the device has launched. We may choose not to upgrade a mid-range or entry-level device if testing does not meet our exacting standards and we feel the hardware isn’t capable of delivering a stable user experience,” reads the company statement.
Sony is one of the few smartphone makers who focus on software updates. Sony launched the Xperia XZ line-up with Android 8.0 Oreo out-of-the box back in November 2017, when only Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL came with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.
Xperia XA2 Ultra launched with Oreo
Google also announced during the Pixel 2 launch that it would deliver three major software updates to its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL along with security patches. Earlier, Google used to provide two software updates and three years of monthly security patches to its smartphones. Now, Sony is following Google’s footsteps in terms of software updates.
The company launched three devices at the CES 2018 and the company has also been planning to launch its flagship Sony Xperia XZ premium at the upcoming MWC 2018.
