A new Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is out for the Xperia Z3 and the Z3 Compact. The build number for the same is 23.0.1.A.5.77. We didn’t have any changelog at the time from Sony. However, today the Japanese phone-maker has posted the changelog which everybody can read from the official Sony website here.
We mentioned a couple of changes that our readers told us about including the Portrait Retouch app from Xperia C3 and the hiding of application that are disabled. Funnily enough, those changes are also with the official changelog. In their words, we have the new Xperia camera app: Portrait retouch, enhanced audio available with ringtones and notifications, fine-tuned speakerphone audio, performance and stability improvements and an increase in Exchange ActiveSync performance.
The official page tells us that next up is the official Android 5.0 Lollipop. It states that underneath where it says “Z3 Compact Android version overview.” As you probably know by now, Lollipop comes with stacks of features including the material design user interface, material design app drawer, Android Beam, Android RunTime (ART), smart notifications with oodles of notification features, the upgraded Lollipop Easter Egg that rips off Flappy Bird and more.
Nothing changes here; you still follow the path to Settings > About Phone > Software Updates > System Updates and start the installation that way when you are around the WiFi network. You are urged to put the automatic installation on hold if the system notification arrives for you when you are using the mobile data plan to avoid high network traffic.
It’s now over a week since the official Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact started rolling out to device owners which means most of you have already found the “download,” followed by ‘install now” buttons on your display. However, all OTA’s roll out in phases to the phones so some of you may still be waiting.
Those erring on the side of caution will prefer to back up the device before accepting the installment. There are many ways to do this, including the built-in backup functionality, or by downloading applications available from the Google Play Store. Most apps cost money but offer premium features that allow you to set timers for the device to back up the data by itself. Manual backups from the settings always require you to do them each time.
We don’t know any reliable methods for rooting this firmware today. That means if you reply on root access with your Android phone we’d be putting this one on hold for later.