This year, Sony became one of the first manufacturers to release the Android 16 update, leaving behind popular brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo. The brand’s first model to receive this update was the Sony Xperia 1 VII in September. While the rollout speed wasn’t initially impressive, Sony is now preparing to quickly conclude its Android 16 journey.
Sony’s Android 16 Era Will Be Short
After a month-long wait, Sony recently began rolling out the Android 16 update to its Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI models. Here’s the list of Sony phones that have received the Android 16 update so far:
- Sony Xperia 1 VI
- Sony Xperia 10 VI
- Sony Xperia 1 VII
Keep in mind that the update is typically rolled out in batches. If it hasn’t reached your device yet, it should arrive within a few days. To manually check for the update, go to Settings > System > Advanced and tap Software Update to initiate the installation.
Android 16 is a significant upgrade package, with a download size of around 1-2 GB. As with any large update, ensure your device has sufficient storage and is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. It’s also recommended that your battery be at least 30% charged.
Unfortunately, Sony has limited the number of models eligible for the Android 16 upgrade to just four: the Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 10 VI, and Xperia 10 VII. Three models on this list have already started receiving the update. The last device on the list, the Xperia 10 VII, is also expected to start receiving the update any day now.
The Xperia 10 VII is likely to receive the update in early November, marking Sony’s completion of the Android 16 rollout. With this step, the company is on track to become one of the fastest manufacturers to complete Android 16 rollouts among non-Google brands.
It’s noteworthy that all Sony devices on this list were released in 2024 or later. That’s because the company is now committed to at least three generations of OS updates, instead of the previous policy of two. Thanks to this new and improved update policy, the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI will also receive Android 17, while the newer Xperia 1 VII and Xperia 10 VII will receive OS updates up to Android 19.
