The Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact are rumored to be in the front row when the company will make the Android Lollipop 5.0 available, complemented by Sony UI. Company officials made a statement at CES 2015 according to which, all the “premium” Xperia Z handsets will receive the update, but it will be done gradually, so expect to see it on the “fresher” devices first.
According to some sources among the developers and testers inside Sony, the “stress-test” is completed, as they already got the Lollipop 5.0 on their own Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact devices. While no official release date was confirmed, Sony officials did state that the initial roll-out will commence in the first two weeks of February, and that users of the Xperia Z3 in Europe and the UK will be the first to receive the OTA. Don’t get too eager about it though, as there is no firm guarantee that the initial roll-out of the Android 5.0 will take place in Europe. It might be the case that U.S. users will be the first to experience the Lollipop on their Xperia Z3’s.
Forums are buzzing with excitement about the Android Lollipop, but the question at hand is if Sony will release the standard 5.0 version, or will decide to use an upgraded version, 5.0.1/5.0.2 on the Xperia Z3 and the Z3 Compact. No hint has been given by Sony in this direction, so we are expecting some developments soon enough. If you are anxious about the update though, and can’t wait for the official release, XDA Developers forum offers some custom ROMs to choose from that are based on the 5.0 Lollipop, as well a CyanogenMod 12 ROM, based on the 5.0.2 version. If you know the basics on rooting and flashing your handset, than you might want to try them out, if not just wait until Sony gives the official version the green light. When you get the update, give us a hit back and tell us how it’s playing out for you.