Sony announces devices that will get Marshmallow, Xperia Z1 left out

Now that Google has opened the Marshmallow floodgates, manufacturers are beginning to detail their plans for the update to Android 6.0.

Sony, one of the better Android OEMs when it comes to updates, has revealed exactly which devices will make the jump to Marshmallow. The list is predictable, if you’ve been following Sony over the past months, with just a couple of names shining through their absence.

These are the Sony devices that will receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow, as per a company blog post:

• Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium (absolutely no surprises here)
• Xperia Z4 Tablet (not included: the Xperia Z4, which is exclusive to Japan, where updates don’t seem to be a priority for companies. Xperia Z4v? Yeah, Sony and Verizon want you to forget about that)
• Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (again, predictable)
• Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet (released in February 2014, probably at their last major update)
• Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4 (the select few mid-rangers getting Marshmallow)

The most glaring absence here is that of the Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact. Launched in September 2013 with Snapdragon 800 processors, the Z1 duo have outlived the two-year period that Google itself promises for major updates. Sony did release Android 5.1 for these devices, just last month.

It looks like the 2013 Xperia Z is also reaching its end of support line, which shouldn’t be a surprise, as Sony didn’t include it in the Android 5.1 update wave. Other devices not deemed worthy of Marshmallow include the Xperia E3, Xperia A4, Xperia T2 Ultra, and the Xperia Z Ultra.

Sony promised it would share more details on the updates “soon.” For what is worth, the post includes the standard disclaimer about timing and availability varying based on market and operator, and a rather ominous warning that some of the listed models may not get the update at all, for certain markets/operators.

Sony to hand over more control to its profitable image sensor business

Sony’s Exmor RS image sensors have proven widely popular in the smartphone market, but some of the company’s other divisions, I’m looking at you mobile, have not proven so successful over the past couple of years. In order to promote continued growth in its semiconductor business, Sony has stated that it will split the division off into a separate entity, while still retaining full ownership.

The idea is to allow for more autonomous decision making at Sony’s most profitable division, cutting out the back and forth between management. Sony will still own the company, but the group will be more accountable for their profitability. This move is designed to keep the camera division competitive.

TV and mobile sales have underperformed, according to Sony’s most recent quarterly financial results, and Sony expects that its full-year loss for its mobile division will reach 60 billion yen ($480 million), notable higher than the 39 billion yen ($310 million) loss that it anticipated back in April. However, the company’s image sensor business saw a 164 percent increase in year over year income, keeping the company’s overall profits mostly flat over the past twelve months.

See also: Sony Xperia Z5 camera tops DxOMark mobile rankings28

Exmor RS based cameras have featured in a number of high-end smartphones this year, including the Galaxy S6 series, the LG G4 and Sony’s latest benchmark topping Xperia Z5. Sony’s sensors are also proving popular in the mid-tier and in emerging markets, as companies push towards better camera technology in order to help differentiate themselves from the competition.

Back in April, Sony announced that it would invest a further 45 billion yen ($374 billion) into additional image sensor production capacity. The company is also looking to expand its sensor business into the automotive market. We should expect further announcements about Sony’s plans for its image sensor business in the coming months.

Verizon won’t carry the Sony Xperia Z4v after all

First announced way back in June 2015, the Verizon-exclusive Sony Xperia Z4v was perhaps everything the Z4 proper should have been. With its big Quad HD display, big 3000mAh battery and wireless charging capabilities, the Z4v was going to be a pretty attractive addition to Verizon’s lineup. You heard correctly, I said was. That’s because, after four full months of release date rumors and availability speculation, Verizon has finally announced that it no longer has plans to carry the Xperia Z4v.

In an update to its original announcement post, Big Red explained:

Verizon will no longer be launching Xperia Z4v, however we are committed to supporting Sony Mobile’s product portfolio and will support existing products. Sony is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.

This should come as no surprise. Sony has already launched three new flagship smartphones to take the place of the Z4 line. The Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact and Z5 Premium are really nice, so it makes no sense for Verizon to sell an already-dated smartphone that was announced a mere four months ago.

The Z4v was supposed to feature a 5.2-inch Quad HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, IP65 and IP68 ratings for water and dust protection, a 3000mAh battery and a rear-facing 20.7MP camera.

Watch our Xperia Z5 unboxing on Periscope

Note: Periscope does not allow the saving of the live comments and “hearts,” which is why you can’t see them in the video above. (We’re looking for a workaround.) To watch the live stream with comments, check it out on the Periscope website.

Hey folks, we’re trying something new and we want your opinion!

We’re taking the time-honored genre of tech unboxing  and adapting it to our mobile-savvy audience. Android Authority has been on Periscope for a while, and now we’re (finally) putting the live-streaming app to good use. We’re starting with a live unboxing session of the Xperia Z5, and our Nirave Gondhia is your master of ceremonies.

If you need a primer, Twitter-owned Periscope lets you broadcast live video in real time to all your followers. It’s a powerful tool, and we think it’s a great match for some of our coverage. From Q&A sessions, to event impressions, and yes, unboxings, we plan to use Periscope to give you an unconventional look into all things Android.

Periscoping (which I hereby declare a real word) is fun, engaging, and interactive. But conventional unboxing videos have their strong points. Mainly, they can give you a better look at the devices. This is why we need your input.

Would you like to see more live unboxings and other live videos on Periscope? Or do you prefer the full-blown YouTube videos? Or both? Vote in our poll and comment below.

(function ()
var opst = document.createElement(‘script’);
var os_host = document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https:” : “http:”;
opst.type = ‘text/javascript’;
opst.async = true;
opst.src = os_host + ‘//’ + ‘www.opinionstage.com/polls/2299038/embed.js’;
(document.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)[0] ());

Are you on Periscope? Follow Android Authority for more off the cuff videos of your favorite devices. We’ll make sure to let you know in advance about upcoming live streams, so you don’t miss out on the fun!