Xperia Z5

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ubernoob

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Topic # 216632 5-Jul-2017 17:53

Do any of you phone folk know if Nougat 7.1.1 is in testing phase with an NZ operator

Android 7.1.1 now seeding for Xperia Z5 family, Z4 Tablet and Z3 Plus (32.4.A.0.160)
http://www.xperiablog.net/2017/06/28/android-7-1-1-nougat-xperia-z5-z4-tablet-z3-plus-32-4-a-0-160/

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 1813374 5-Jul-2017 18:02

I have the generic AU firmware on my Z5 and got the update on ?Saturday within about 24 hours of it's release.

Based on past threads on here updates for the NZ devices are typically very slow. I'd highly recommend flashing the AU firmware since there is basically no difference and it's so easy to do - the only downside is a full factory reset.

ubernoob

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Reply # 1813378 5-Jul-2017 18:10

Thanks Mr Biddle. I took your advice from my last post and downloaded Xperia flashtool etc, but it said my bootloader was locked and I couldn't flash without unlocking. I didn't want to loose banking apps etc..... And the whole factory reset
Let's hope it will be before September when my Sony 2 year support ends

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sbiddle

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Reply # 1813381 5-Jul-2017 18:20

There is no need to unlock the bootloader to flash official Sony firmware.

ubernoob

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Reply # 1813384 5-Jul-2017 18:35

I know you said that last time but "Emma" won't continue the flash unless the bootloader is unlocked unfortunately

ubernoob

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Reply # 1815764 8-Jul-2017 08:57

Well just got the 7.0 build 32.3.A.2.33 update last night so that's something

shk292

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Reply # 1815841 8-Jul-2017 12:50

ubernoob: I know you said that last time but "Emma" won't continue the flash unless the bootloader is unlocked unfortunately

I had the same thing - had to unlock the bootloader to install an official ROM on my Xperia. But, unlocking the boorloader is not the same as rooting the device, and shouldn't (I think) affect ability to run banking etc

farcus

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Reply # 1815843 8-Jul-2017 12:54

shk292:

. . . But, unlocking the boorloader is not the same as rooting the device, and shouldn't (I think) affect ability to run banking etc

android pay wont work (on Nexus devices) if the bootloader is unlocked.

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Reply # 1815851 8-Jul-2017 13:16

farcus:

shk292:

. . . But, unlocking the boorloader is not the same as rooting the device, and shouldn't (I think) affect ability to run banking etc

android pay wont work (on Nexus devices) if the bootloader is unlocked.

Thanks - I didn't know that

nickbrooker

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Reply # 1828217 24-Jul-2017 10:16

The March security updates for the Z5 only made it in June so it'll be a while I expect before we see 7.1.1. People seem to be complaining about connectivity and battery life so son't rush in yet.

nickbrooker

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Reply # 1908462 27-Nov-2017 13:58

I chased this one up with Spark and it seems they're not the holding things up..

“Regarding the Z5 - I actually reached out to Sony about this last week and was advised they have no plans to release 7.1.1 for the Z5 in NZ. Just to be clear - it's certainly not Spark holding anything up. The Z5 has had a pretty good run though. It launched in September 2015 on Android 5.1.1! and has had 6 Maintenance releases since then, the latest one came out on 04/07/2017. So it has had 20 months of software updates/support.”

So you either need to unlock the phone and use non-standard firmware or live with the bluetooth and other security issues since about march this year. In contrast my partners Nexus started on 5.1 (I think) and has been updated to 8 with monthly security updates until last month.

Needless to say my next phone will not be a Sony. Google phones seem to be the only ones that are regular with security updates.

I have a Sony TV in the same boat. Same model in Oz does FreeView plus but not here. Well it does on rare occasions do it but not officially. Sony support just say sorry not supported. Seems to be nice gear but terrible attitude towards customers.

NikT

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Reply # 1908741 28-Nov-2017 06:43

nickbrooker:

So you either need to unlock the phone and use non-standard firmware or live with the bluetooth and other security issues since about march this year.

No unlocking is required, rebranding Sony devices to official software builds from other regions, e.g. the open market Australian variant, is a straightforward process using a utility called FlashTool. Doesn't even need to wipe user data. Doesn't excuse the premature end of support (which is likely to be mired in politics between Spark's certification process and the number of Z5 units sold in NZ), but it's a more desirable state of affairs than other region-locked devices have been left with.

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nickbrooker

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Reply # 1908744 28-Nov-2017 06:55

NikT:

nickbrooker:

So you either need to unlock the phone and use non-standard firmware or live with the bluetooth and other security issues since about march this year.

No unlocking is required, rebranding Sony devices to official software builds from other regions, e.g. the open market Australian variant, is a straightforward process using a utility called FlashTool. Doesn't even need to wipe user data. Doesn't excuse the premature end of support (which is likely to be mired in politics between Spark's certification process and the number of Z5 units sold in NZ), but it's a more desirable state of affairs than other region-locked devices have been left with.

Good point. I guess as long as it is signed by Sony it should load without having to bypass things.

I think in general consumer electronics companies need to produce less new models and focus longer on what they produce for so many reasons. The hardware warranty has not expired but the software updates have. Not good for a "Premium" phone.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1908749 28-Nov-2017 07:21

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nickbrooker:

Needless to say my next phone will not be a Sony. Google phones seem to be the only ones that are regular with security updates.

I'm in the process of writing a blog post on this whole issue at present.

I think that's the wrong attitute to be taking. Sony are one of the best manufacturers out there when it comes to updates - with 2 years of updates for all recent devices and monthly security updates typically appearing within the same month. My Z5 and now my XZ had very frequent updates.

The whole problem here shows the issue of buying a operator branded handset and the Andoid model of having updates approved by networks. This is the real issue here.

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Reply # 1908750 28-Nov-2017 07:26

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nickbrooker:

So you either need to unlock the phone and use non-standard firmware or live with the bluetooth and other security issues since about march this year. In contrast my partners Nexus started on 5.1 (I think) and has been updated to 8 with monthly security updates until last month.

As Nik has pointed out there is no need to unlock the phone or use non standard firmware. Reflashing a Xperia is a very straight forward process, and the official Sony firmware level for the Z5 sits at 5.1.1

Sony provide an official way to unlock the bootloader but there is no need for this if you're flashing the device with official Sony firmware.

The very first thing I did last year when I got my Z5 in Hong Kong was flash it with the generic Australian firmware which had a couple of advantages (which escape me now) but from memory it may have allowed me to use Semble when the Hong Kong release didn't. The generic Australian firmware gets updates very quickly.

NikT

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Reply # 1909235 28-Nov-2017 22:24

sbiddle:

The whole problem here shows the issue of buying a operator branded handset and the Andoid model of having updates approved by networks. This is the real issue here.

What has long baffled me about this is that the operator approval process isn't specific to Android, since iOS goes through exactly the same series of tests before each update is rolled. What is specific to Android is making a unique software build for a given device on a given network, which always seemed a short-sighted solution. Apple did themselves many favours by segregating numerous settings and customisations via their carrier bundles, not to mention by unifying builds across hardware variants - and most notably combining set-in-stone release dates with rapid, responsive correction of operator-identified showstoppers. Sony of all Android vendors comes the closest to the Apple model by having unified builds across devices with common hardware, e.g. X Performance/XZ/XZs all on Snapdragon 820, yet are held back by continuing to make operator-branded software variants which do not benefit in all the ways that the common hardware should.

I suspect this specific instance to be a combination of the cost associated with the development/testing process + the number of Z5s active in market + a lack of internal resource to make requested region/network-specific customisations (perhaps this includes civil defence mobile alerts). This same dilemma of a cost analysis on further investment in hyper-localised software to be deployed on an increasingly small number of active devices has affected Huawei in the past too. HTC tried to solve it by using the same software build across all NZ and AU telcos, and ended up having to delay releases for all of them when one wouldn't approve it. Getting better now mind. Open market dual SIM devices from Huawei (Mate 9 for one) and Motorola (the Z series) which are officially available in NZ share their software builds with all APAC markets and thus receive regular security updates. Charger aside, you'll get exactly the same software and hardware when you buy one of those handsets in Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore as you will if you buy one in NZ.

Despite my persistent inquiries, Sony remain adamant that they are uninterested in the open market in NZ (...and that's why PB ranges the dual SIM XZ Premium instead of the local single SIM variant).

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