Android 5.1 Lollipop Update and Release Date for Sony Xperia Z3, Z2 and HTC One M8, M7

By Richard Waelty
Lollipop 5.0.1 running on HTC Sense 6
HTC One M7 and M8 users should like this new interface.

While Android Lollipop OTA updates are already available for the Sony Xperia and HTC One series devices, users are now anticipating the inevitable Android 5.1 roll out. In the sections below, we will look at the Android situation for the following devices - Sony Xperia Z3, Z2 and HTC One M7, M8.

Sony Xperia Z3, Z2

Recently, Xperia Blog reported that Australia carrier Telstra may be rolling out Android 5.1 Lollipop for the Xperia Z, Z1, and Z1 compact in August. If the report is to be believed, that could potentially mean that the Z2 and Z3 will get the Android 5.1 Lollipop in a similar time frame. However, there have been no official announcements from Sony as of yet.

The Xperia Z3 and Z2 smartphones are currently running on the Android 5.0.2, which Sony recently rolled out. Oddly, the Japanese tech giant decided to not wait for the Android 5.1 Lollipop release. A number of manufacturers have decided to withhold an Android 5.02 Lollipop update in favor of Android 5.1.

With Android 5.0.2 running on the Xperia Z3 and Z2, it is tough to say when Sony decides to upgrade the two flagships to the highly anticipate Android 5.1 Lollipop. Earlier, Sony was amongst the last of the major device makers to roll out the first generation Android Lollipop.

Yet, there are signs the company is working on an Android 5.1 Lollipop update. According to Phone Arena last month, Sony was certifying the newer Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 compact.

HTC One M7, M8

Unlike Sony, HTC is skipping forward with the Android 5.1 Lollipop. The operating system is definitely coming to the HTC One M8 and M7. There is no official announcement from HTC's U.S. office at this time.

However, a recent Tweet from HTC UK suggests that Android 5.1 Lollipop will at least be coming to the HTC M8 this August. It is unclear when the older M7 model is getting the Android 5.1 Lollipop. Even the rumor mill is silent.

Android 5.1 reportedly addresses bugs associated with Android 5.0. These include battery drain, forced reboot, and freezing apps issues. It also adds many new features alongside those of Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. These include refinements to the quick settings, screen PIN, and device security. In addition, HD Voice and Dual SIM support has been improved.

Currently, Android 5.1 Lollipop is available on the Google Nexus 6 thru 7 series devices. The only Google device that has not gotten the latest Android update is the Nexus 9. Motorola has also rolled out Android 5.1 Lollipop to a small handful of its Moto series devices as well.

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