Sony has officially announced the Android KitKat version 4.4.4 for its Xperia Z series smartphones. The update from Sony will be Android version: Google Android 4.4 (Kitkat), Latest available software: 10.5.1.A.0.283.

The update release has started on 2014-09-09 and will hit country zones one after the other. There is no information about when the new release will be available in India as yet. However, you can keep checking your handset for the latest update by heading to the Settings – About phone. Alternatively, you can download the PC Companion software from Sony and check/install the new update.

It is recommended that you take a complete backup of the smartphone, reset the Xperia Z to factory defaults, update and then restore your data. This procedure will avoid any issues and bugs that can get carried from the previous operating system to the new one.

The KitKat update is expected to improve the Xperia Z in the following ways:

Upgrade to the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat

Better battery performance in some background applications

Email stability & performance enhanced

General improvements to MMS, Calendar, Wi-Fi, Contacts & More

All latest bug fixes and enhancements

Sony Xperia Z was launched with Android Jelly Bean, and the latest update until today was Jelly Bean v4.3. Sony will jump directly to Android KitKat v4.4.4 with the new update.

If any of you are using the Sony Xperia Z and have already received the update, do let us know in the comments below. This information could help fellow smartphone users to know when the release is available.

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