T-Mobile Xperia Z3 (D6616) - Future Development and Support - Marshmallow, WiFI LTE handoff, etc

[s1dest3p]

Sony Mobile announces that the Z3 will get Android Marshmallow, but yet T-Mobile is not aware and the support page for the T-Mobile Z3 (http://support.sonymobile.com/us/xperiaz3tmobile/software/) doesn't reflect such like the regular Z3 does (http://support.sonymobile.com/us/xperiaz3/software/). This is very concerning to us Sony and T-Mobile customers that spent a lot of money on a great phone; we're worried we're being forgotten or left out. Maybe sales weren't high for the T-Mobile Z3, but what about us that were loyal to Sony and spent hundreds of dollars on the Z3 - don't we deserve the latest and greatest updates, like Marshmallow, Concept for Android, WiFi Calling to LTE hand-off, etc?

Please give us some reassurance that you are still committed to your T-Mobile customer base and that we'll be receiving Marshmallow and possibly other updates I mentioned above around the same time that the regular Z3 is.

I'd really appreciate your response and hopefully confirmation. Thank you in advance.

[Uliwooly]

@gee_wiz

Flashing its quite simple 

/t5/Xperia-Z2/How-to-manually-update-downgrade-root-2014-Xperias/td-p/593459

with  that said since you have a T-mobile version it seems that it will brick the device, you can check the XDA Forum on more info about flashing, as for Sony releasing more updates to a network branded device when T-mobile EOL a device seems unlikely, its probably a contract preventing them from doing so. 

[gee_wiz]

Yea, haven't found any straightforward info on flashing the D6616..

So options as of now appear to be; Sell, hope someone changes their mind and a android 6 ota becomes available, find some way to root/flash the D6616, or live with 5.02.

All of which are horrible options for someone who bought a $600 obsolete device just a yr into its life cycle.

Wamp, Wamp.

[Rickard · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry to hear that you feel your question is not answered but as mentioned before and as stated in our announcement, timing and availability will vary by market and/or operator.

I'm not able to provide you with information regarding when or if the Android 6.0 update will be released for your market and operator. If there's any information available about this at the moment, your Local support and/or operator will have the information.

[Doctorbob49]

That was quite a non answer.

[Uliwooly]

@Doctorbob49

It is an answer but not what you were expecting

[Doctorbob49]

Now that is a true statement!

[vengeekruger]

Hmm. Don't even know what to do anymore. Look I understand what you guys are saying and I appreciate. I don't wanna ask again whether or when there will be a marshmallow update for Xperia Z3 D6116. But I'm really hoping Sony rethinks in anyway a procedure or something to help Z3 D6616 get marshmallow. We would be very happy if that happens. Either than that then it will look like I'm holding a Sony device but in reality the device shadow is t mobile. I'm not pushing anyone or pointing fingers at any one but I'm just hoping Sony rethinks and help Sony lovers. Thanks Guys

[Doctorbob49]

I hear you. I am afraid t mobile feels the Z3 has reached EOL. Glad the phone working OK. Came back to this phone from Moto X Pure with Marshmallow and Z3 battery life much better

[vengeekruger]

Alright I appreciate. Just let us know if there are any procedures or something like flashing it with D6116 firmware which comes with unlockable bootloader or anything which might help us install custom rom. Thanks again

[vengeekruger]

Hi Guys, I'm really not sure if this is just a rumor or not, I heard today t mobile is planning to release marshmallow 6.1 for Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium, Z5 Compact, Z4 Tablet, Z3, and Z3+ soon. Notably interested in z3 since I'm a z3 user. Just hoping if is really true. Let us know if there are any news. Thanks for your support I really appreciate.