Still waiting for software update

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Still waiting for software update

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#1899082 10-Nov-2017 21:44

Samsung keep their flagship phones updated for two years from their announcement. Different regions/carriers get them at differing times. Just flick through the firmware section of sammobile or updato.com to get the idea.

Sony seems to do things a bit differently

Good luck if you buy something cheap and nasty, you'll be waiting forever for an update.

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#1899109 11-Nov-2017 06:19

1eStar: Samsung keep their flagship phones updated for two years from their announcement. Different regions/carriers get them at differing times. Just flick through the firmware section of sammobile or updato.com to get the idea.

Sony seems to do things a bit differently

Good luck if you buy something cheap and nasty, you'll be waiting forever for an update.

It's interesting that you should compare Sony to Samsung - because IMHO as a long time Sony user they beat Samsung hands down when it comes to updates particularly the monthly security updates.

Sony have provided updates for a minimum of two years for their hardware, and provide Android's monthly security fixes typically within a couple of weeks after their release. The problem the OP is facing is the identical issue Samsung users have - because major updates need to be approved by carriers before they can be released by Sony or Samsung then delays do happen.

When I had a Z5 I flashed it from the Hong Kong firmware to the generic Australian firmware because it let me use NFC payments and the AU generic gets updates almost immediately. A discussion with the OP has already occurred in another thread where they couldn't work out how to do this without unlocking the boot loader which certainly shouldn't be necessary when staying with Sony firmware but it was so long ago that I can't really off any tips.

ubernoob

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#1899419 11-Nov-2017 21:46

Have contacted Spark via chat and voice call, they insist they don't release the update and have given me a number for Sony NZ as Spark think it must be a fault with my phone as the help desk googled that yes 7.1 has been released by Sony for the Xperia Z5
Groundhog day anyone ??
Seems to me there's not much communication between departments, ironic

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#1899422 11-Nov-2017 21:55

If you download xperifirm you'll be able to see the latest firmware available direct from the Sony server for your phone.

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#1899423 11-Nov-2017 21:56

ubernoob: Have contacted Spark via chat and voice call, they insist they don't release the update and have given me a number for Sony NZ as Spark think it must be a fault with my phone as the help desk googled that yes 7.1 has been released by Sony for the Xperia Z5
Groundhog day anyone ??
Seems to me there's not much communication between departments, ironic

@ubernoob For a start the front line staff member only would of done a basic Google search and guessing they did not narrow it down to the Spark retailed Z5

You can't expect front line staff to know this type of information as it's not shared with them and have you tired using the official Sony update tool on a PC / MAC?

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Basil12

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#1899438 11-Nov-2017 22:25

timmmay: In general, you shouldn't expect any updates to an Android phone after you buy it.

Unless you're using stock Android on a Google Nexus or Motorola device. Our Motorola Moto G4s and G2s which run stock Android get regular updates, presumably direct from Google. I was the same with our Nexus tablets although they've had nothing for some time. All are running a later version of Android than when purchased with the two Moto G4s now on Android 7.

The stock Android and the accompanying updates is one reason we stick with the Motorola Moto range.

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#1899517 12-Nov-2017 10:18

Basil12:

timmmay: In general, you shouldn't expect any updates to an Android phone after you buy it.

Unless you're using stock Android on a Google Nexus or Motorola device. Our Motorola Moto G4s and G2s which run stock Android get regular updates, presumably direct from Google. I was the same with our Nexus tablets although they've had nothing for some time. All are running a later version of Android than when purchased with the two Moto G4s now on Android 7.

The stock Android and the accompanying updates is one reason we stick with the Motorola Moto range.

Sony are pretty good with updates providing major updates for 2 years which is identical to Google's publicised policy for the Nexus range. Most major updates have hit Sony phones within a pretty quick timeframe and the monthly Android security updates normally occur within a few weeks of release.

Sony's near Stock Android and the speed they get updates to market is one of the reasons why I love Sony phones.

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#1899518 12-Nov-2017 10:22

sbiddle: If you download xperifirm you'll be able to see the latest firmware available direct from the Sony server for your phone.

Xperifirm shows 32.3.A.2.33 as being the latest for Spark CDA code. This update is from March 2017.

32.4.A.1.54 from mid October is the latest for the Z5 and is available across a huge % of networks incl Hong Kong and generic Australian CDA codes.

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#1900045 13-Nov-2017 09:58

Good luck if you buy something cheap and nasty, you'll be waiting forever for an update.

It not just the cheap & nasty. Mid range name brand ph's & tablets: nothing (cough cough samsung)

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#1900047 13-Nov-2017 10:06

sbiddle:

sbiddle: If you download xperifirm you'll be able to see the latest firmware available direct from the Sony server for your phone.

Xperifirm shows 32.3.A.2.33 as being the latest for Spark CDA code. This update is from March 2017.

32.4.A.1.54 from mid October is the latest for the Z5 and is available across a huge % of networks incl Hong Kong and generic Australian CDA codes.

Hi @sbiddle. Which firmware would you recommend downloading from XperiFirm. I'm in the same boat as the OP with a Spark Z5 with 32.3.A.2.33 and I'm keen to upgrade to the latest release.

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#1900107 13-Nov-2017 11:12

When I had my Z5 I switched to the Generic Australian firmware. This gets the latest updates fairly quickly.

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#1900116 13-Nov-2017 11:29

Linux:
kyhwana2:
Linux: Spark don't release it Sony push it out

Linux

If it's a spark sold phone with a Spark ROM, Spark absolutely do push it out. (Once they receive it from Sony, of course)

No Spark don't push it out, Spark siimply test it and then go back to Sony saying approved or not

Then it's back to Sony to push out

Linux

Linux, semantics.

The OEM may push it out, but unless Spark, Vodafone or other telco approves it for the network, the OEM holds back.

So yes, you're right, but that's not the answer that should be given.

maoriboy

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#1900125 13-Nov-2017 11:44

Looking at XperiFirm, I can see Optus AU, Telstra AU, Vodafone AU and Customised AU. There is a Generic Global version there but it is the same as Spark, so no point there.

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#1900131 13-Nov-2017 12:00

maoriboy:

Looking at XperiFirm, I can see Optus AU, Telstra AU, Vodafone AU and Customised AU. There is a Generic Global version there but it is the same as Spark, so no point there.

Customised AU is the generic AU firmware.

As you can see Telstra and VF haven't launched the update either.

ubernoob

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#1901385 15-Nov-2017 17:04

Update from Sony support NZ. Apparently using my phone imei number there are no more updates planned for my phone. He was very diplomatic and knew later international updates were released for the Z5 but was certain there would be no more updates for ISP branded phones
So there you go.

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