Android 5.1 Lollipop Update Release Date for HTC M7, M8, M9; Sony Xperia Z3, Z2

By Richard Waelty
The HTC One M9
The HTC One M9 unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona. Photo: HTC

Various Android Lollipop updates have already reached devices including the HTC M7, M8, M9; Sony Xperia Z3, Z2. Some of these devices have the newer Android 5.1 Lollipop while others are using the older Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update. A handful of devices are still stuck on the original Android 5.0 Lollipop.

In the sections below, we will explore the current situation for each of the mentioned devices. Meanwhile, Google has already rolled out the newest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update. The company is also developing the upcoming Android M firmware.

HTC One M8

Presently, only India has received the Android 5.1 Lollipop for the HTC One M8 - according to a report by GSMArena. This April, HTC UK promised that the British One M8 users will receive Android 5.1 Lollipop in August 2015. The branch made no mention of a widespread European and North American release date.

The most current update for the majority of One M8 devices is the first-release verision of Android 5.0 Lollipop.

HTC One M7

Oddly, the much older HTC One M7 has already received Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Also, U.S. carriers such as Sprint and T-Mobile were fairly quick in rolling out Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Unfortunately, this may be the last major operating system update for the HTC One M7.

GeekSnack reported through an insider that HTC may be ending all support for the One M7. The One M7 is already over two years, which is considered ancient by smartphone standards. Also, HTC is already actively promoting the newly released HTC One M9.

So, a significant One M7 update is looking very unlikely at the moment.

HTC One M9

The HTC One M9 is already updated to Android 5.1 Lollipop. When it launched in March, the One M9 was running on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

Recently, HTC has rolled out Android 5.1.1 Lollipop to the One M9 Developer Edition. It is unclear when or whether other editions of the One M9 will be receiving this update. The majority of users will need to wait for more word from HTC.

Sony Xperia Z3, Z2

Both the Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 are running on Android 5.0.2 update, which was rolled out in May.

Even so, Sony announced on its blog that all Xperia Z series devices will be getting Android 5.1 Lollipop in July.

The Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia C3, Xperia M2, and Xperia M2 Aqua will also be getting Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Naturally, users with unlocked devices will receive the update first. Those who are on a monthly subscription plan through a carrier will need to wait a bit longer. Generally, it takes awhile for wireless service providers to distribute the latest Android update from the manufacturers.

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