topic Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones? in XPERIA archive

UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

Rocklett — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 17:20:04 GMT

I have a UK generic unbranded Sony Xperia Z1 (i.e. I purchased my phone outright, not through a carrier) and am experiencing distorted audio and dropouts with Bluetooth when connected and playing music to some devices. My phone is running Android 4.3 Sony update 14.2.A.0.290.

I read Sony have fixed the Bluetooth dropout and distortion issue with a later firmware 14.2.A.1.136 but Sony PC Companion and Sony Update Service will not upgrade my device beyond firmware release .290 (I've completed a 'repair' using both PC Companion and Sony Update Service and the phone is still on 14.2.A.0.290).

Has Sony not produced a later firmware update for the non branded UK phones since 14.2.A.0.290? I see the branded phones have got Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat in the form of update14.3.A.0.681, how long will it be before this version is available to UK users who bought their phones outright?

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

Thommo — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:28:15 GMT

As a UK resident myself I can tell you that not every country had the .136 firmware released - the latest is .681 KK but for Generic handsets to receive it then all networks have to approve it - You could if you wish to manually flash the KK firmware if you can't wait

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

AlanT — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:45:00 GMT

Don't put high hope on this, I am been asking all the time but trust me you wont get an answer over here!!!! I am pretty sure the answer will be operator releasing issue, which only SONY have this problem....not any other phones...remember ONLY SONY and ONLY in UK !!! OK... Cheers for the coming Z2 owner...

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

HannibalSmith — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 06:08:52 GMT

I'm from germany and I have unbranded Z1 (6903) as well. I can't update to kitkat. It seems all the unbranded phones have to wait very long for updates.

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

elmoglis — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:36:46 GMT

Having the same problem with my UK unbranded z1.

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

HannibalSmith — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 10:25:17 GMT

Google for xperia update checker. You can use it to check if the update is out for your region and phone.

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

JonC1 — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 12:08:22 GMT

I'm currently having a conversation with Sony Xperia Contact Center (!) in regards to the Bluetooth issue with the .290 update, and why Bluetooth worked fine with the previous Android 4.2 update. I've pointed out to them that techincally the phone is not fit for purpose (legal term) in its current state. Awaiting their response

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

AlanT — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 12:48:10 GMT

JonC, I emailed them as well, but then no reply, I have issue that the loadspeaker activated automatically when I receive calls.... and my proximity sensor doesn't work sometimes....I have to restart the phone the get it right...

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

HannibalSmith — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:53:27 GMT

I just checked with xperia update checker and I have to say that nearly all EU countries have the new update (unbranded/generic phones)! Only germany and UK and 2 or three other countries are still on 4.3 (14.2.A.....).

Have a look at the picture:

Edit: For bigger picture, click here

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

SwitchTrix — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:30:26 GMT

Surely the point of having an unbranded phone is so you can get updates quicker than branded phones? I am in the UK (well Guernsey) unbranded bracket, tis rather frustrating.

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

SignedAdam — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:26:44 GMT

We want the update NOW! When do we want it! NOW, we want the update NOW, when do we want it, NOW,

I've had x10 mini, Ray, and now z1, all have the update delay, I won't make the same mistake of buying Sony mobile a 4th time, unless I get the kitkat update in the next day or so!

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

JonC1 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:43:35 GMT

BTW, if you're a UK sim-free Z1 owner like me (and others) and are having issues with Bluetooth... well I have a little fix. Quite simply; it's the Walkman app under 14.2.A.0.290 that's causing issues.

Disable the following three apps/services...

Visualiser (16.00KB)

WALKMAN (13.05MB)

WALKMAN (32.00KB)

I've not had any issues since disabling those three. Of course, if you're using the Walkman app as your music player then this doesn't help.

If you want to know why this happens - the Walkman service under 14.2.A.0.290 keeps trying to take A2DP / AVRCP control on the Z1 even through another app is trying to use it. How did I find this out? Another user on this forum - sorry forgot your name - had issues with the Walkman app and another 3rd play music player. He turned those apps/services off too. And yes, Sony Mobile knows the 14.2.A.1.136 + fixes the issue but T-Mobile UK is refusing to jump to KitKat with their branded Z1's ... And Sony UK will only make avaiable the latest update to sim-free customers. Which is KitKat.

As far as Sony Mobile UK is concerned - sim-free customers are the lowest of the low. Try ordering a Z2 sim-free & get a delivery date.

[EDIT: Correct spelling ]

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

SignedAdam — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 00:25:12 GMT

Customers buy the phones, not the networks, it seems Sony's putting the networks before the customers and its own Services, maybe I should have paid for my phone, on contract than went direct,

Re: UK Sony Xperia Z1 Kit Kat updates for unbranded phones?

kekni1 — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 22:14:02 GMT

Can we get an update from Sony please. It's not acceptable to keep your customers in the dark for this long!