It seems that the long awaited Jelly Bean update for Sony's 2012 flagship, the Sony Xperia S just got delayed a bit further. Sure to enrage fans (why not) who are aghast beyond belief at the way Sony is treating their 2012 NXT line's flagship phone. While on the other side, Samsung will be updating the Galaxy Note to a newer version of Android Jelly Bean.
Sony Xperia S Jelly Bean Update
The Sony Xperia S is a flagship, and it deserves such treatment. Packing a Qualcomm chipset, Sony isn't facing the same issues with drivers and sources that it did (still is) with their NovaThor based line up (Xperia P, U, Sola and Go) in 2012. In fact, the development section over at XDA forums has almost fully working ROMs based on the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. But not everyone goes to custom ROMs, many wait for official ROMs. For a flagship that launched in 2012, the Xperia S packed an outdated Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and then got updated to a buggy Android 4.0 ICS (which was later fixed over the next couple of months).
The Xperia P also has a similar fate. Being promised the update in the last week of March, the Xperia P is still stuck on a rather buggy Android 4.0.4 ICS (so is the rest of the Novathor chipset based phones). The other phone to receive the Jelly Bean update will be the Xperia GO (the Xperia U and Sola were unceremoniously dumped from receiving any further software treatment).
The Xperia S was promised Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with the new Xperia Z UI and features. That was due March end. Then came news that it will be available in May. And now it seems that the update got pushed further to may, to the dismay of all those who have been eagerly waiting for nearly 5 months (since the other 2012 flagships such as the Galaxy S3) got their Jelly Bean updates. Consider this the last update for the Xperia S.
Sony Xperia S Specifications
Sony aims to change their erratic software update pattern with their 2013 line up. Up until now, Sony has released four new smartphones in 2013 that include the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia SP and Xperia L. All four phones pack Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipsets (dual core or quad core). All four phones are on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Sony did say that they will update the Xperia Z/ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean soon. It's been nearly 2 months since launch now. We can only wait.
Samsung Galaxy Note Jelly Bean Update
The Galaxy Note was the first phablet by Samsung, which quite literally set off the phablet revolution. The race to build a larger smartphone became fierce, and today we see more phablets being announced than reasonably sized phones (coughs, 4.5 inches or below). Even then, the Galaxy Note packed brilliant hardware and brought many exclusive goodies with it that made this phone shine above the rest, and end up becoming a best seller.
Now, this 5.3 inch phablet is getting it's second major software update in the form of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Already on Android 4.1, this last update for the Galaxy Note will bring it up to the latest Android version. Even though Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie is round the corner, we believe Samsung will not update the older Note and instead let it retire. The Galaxy S3 and Note II however, will be receiving it's update. Samsung has promised Android 5.0 update to a number of phones already, we believe as a sign of goodwill, and it did work by keeping the community buzzing.
Samsung Galaxy Note Specifications
Samsung has been doing a rather good job. Off late, all major Samsung phones are getting updated to newer Android versions. Samsung realized that quick software updates keep owners and fans happy, and keep them coming back for more. What's more, leaked phones are almost certainly running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, like the upcoming Galaxy S4 Mini or the Galaxy Ace 3, no matter them being mid-range devices. One other thing is all the software goodies that Samsung adds with it's newer Android updates. Samsung does make up for it's somewhat lackluster phone designs (or rather clones) and body (read, plastic) by packing software goodies that add up to the overall experience.
We believe Samsung is moving in the right direction, and other smartphone manufacturers should take a leaf off Samsung's game book. It's certainly working. No wonder they are the world's largest phones manufacturer.
Sony Xperia S Jelly Bean Update
The Sony Xperia S is a flagship, and it deserves such treatment. Packing a Qualcomm chipset, Sony isn't facing the same issues with drivers and sources that it did (still is) with their NovaThor based line up (Xperia P, U, Sola and Go) in 2012. In fact, the development section over at XDA forums has almost fully working ROMs based on the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. But not everyone goes to custom ROMs, many wait for official ROMs. For a flagship that launched in 2012, the Xperia S packed an outdated Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and then got updated to a buggy Android 4.0 ICS (which was later fixed over the next couple of months).
The Xperia P also has a similar fate. Being promised the update in the last week of March, the Xperia P is still stuck on a rather buggy Android 4.0.4 ICS (so is the rest of the Novathor chipset based phones). The other phone to receive the Jelly Bean update will be the Xperia GO (the Xperia U and Sola were unceremoniously dumped from receiving any further software treatment).
The Xperia S was promised Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with the new Xperia Z UI and features. That was due March end. Then came news that it will be available in May. And now it seems that the update got pushed further to may, to the dismay of all those who have been eagerly waiting for nearly 5 months (since the other 2012 flagships such as the Galaxy S3) got their Jelly Bean updates. Consider this the last update for the Xperia S.
Sony Xperia S Specifications
- Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon chipset
- 1.5 GHz Dual Core S3 CPU
- Adreno 220 GPU
- 1 GB of RAM
- 4.3 inch HD (1280 x 720 pixels) LED-backlit LCD display
- 13 MP rear camera, auto focus and LED flash
- 1080p video recording @ 30 fps
- 1.3 MP front facing camera, 720p @ 30 fps
- 32 GB of non-expandable internal storage
- 10.6 mm thick, 144 grams weight
- 1,750 mAh battery
- Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich
Sony aims to change their erratic software update pattern with their 2013 line up. Up until now, Sony has released four new smartphones in 2013 that include the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia SP and Xperia L. All four phones pack Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipsets (dual core or quad core). All four phones are on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Sony did say that they will update the Xperia Z/ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean soon. It's been nearly 2 months since launch now. We can only wait.
Samsung Galaxy Note Jelly Bean Update
The Galaxy Note was the first phablet by Samsung, which quite literally set off the phablet revolution. The race to build a larger smartphone became fierce, and today we see more phablets being announced than reasonably sized phones (coughs, 4.5 inches or below). Even then, the Galaxy Note packed brilliant hardware and brought many exclusive goodies with it that made this phone shine above the rest, and end up becoming a best seller.
Now, this 5.3 inch phablet is getting it's second major software update in the form of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Already on Android 4.1, this last update for the Galaxy Note will bring it up to the latest Android version. Even though Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie is round the corner, we believe Samsung will not update the older Note and instead let it retire. The Galaxy S3 and Note II however, will be receiving it's update. Samsung has promised Android 5.0 update to a number of phones already, we believe as a sign of goodwill, and it did work by keeping the community buzzing.
Samsung Galaxy Note Specifications
- Samsung Exynos 4412 Chipset
- 1.4 GHz dual core ARM Cortex A9
- ARM Mali400 MP4 GPU
- 1 GB of RAM
- 5.3" HD (1280 x 800 pixels) Super AMOLED display
- 8 MP camera, AF and LED flash
- 1080p video @ 24~30 fps
- 2 MP front facing camera
- 16 / 32 GB internal storage
- expandable upto 32 GB via micro SD card
- 9.7 mm thick, 178 grams weight
- 2,500 mAh battery
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Samsung has been doing a rather good job. Off late, all major Samsung phones are getting updated to newer Android versions. Samsung realized that quick software updates keep owners and fans happy, and keep them coming back for more. What's more, leaked phones are almost certainly running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, like the upcoming Galaxy S4 Mini or the Galaxy Ace 3, no matter them being mid-range devices. One other thing is all the software goodies that Samsung adds with it's newer Android updates. Samsung does make up for it's somewhat lackluster phone designs (or rather clones) and body (read, plastic) by packing software goodies that add up to the overall experience.
We believe Samsung is moving in the right direction, and other smartphone manufacturers should take a leaf off Samsung's game book. It's certainly working. No wonder they are the world's largest phones manufacturer.
Buying a new phone? Or a tablet? Need help with something everyday-tech related? Ask me and I'm sure to help!
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013