Sony delays Xperia Android 4.0 ICS update, now starting from mid-April

Sony Mobile has confirmed that the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for 2011 Xperia handsets will start from mid-April 2012. The first phones to get the update will be the Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray. This rollout will continue over 4-6 weeks.

Following on from these handsets, the second wave of updates for the rest of the 2011 Xperia range will start from end of May/early June. This includes updates for the following handsets: Xperia arc, Xperia PLAY, Xperia neo, Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia active and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. The Xperia S will see an upgrade “from the later part of the second quarter”, therefore don’t expect it before June 2012.

Sony Mobile had originally stated that the ICS update for the Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray would commence from end of March/early April. They also communicated that the rest of the 2011 line-up would get Android 4.0 from end April/early May. This implies around a month’s delay for some Xperia handsets.

Sony confirmed that the update will take place via PC Companion/SEUS and Bridge for Mac only. There will be no OTA updates and no notifications either. The reason behind this is that they want users to make a conscious decision when upgrading to ICS given that it is a significant revamp and that it “may impact performance in some user scenarios” given that it requires more resources.

Via Sony Mobile Blog.