Sony announced the Japanese Xperia smartphones eligible for the Android 17 OS upgrade, as well as the AirDrop integration to be introduced on the Xperia 1 VIII. The covered models are the Xperia 1 VIII/7/6 and Xperia 10 VIII/7, and the upgrade is also scheduled to apply to SIM-free models for the Japanese market.
Sony has published a page outlining the Android 17 OS upgrade for Xperia smartphones in Japan, providing an overview of the eligible models and new features. The eligible models are the Xperia 1 VIII, Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 10 VIII and Xperia 10 VII. Japanese SIM-free models including the Xperia 1 VIII (model number: XQ-GE44) are also listed as eligible.
The upgrade has also been announced for domestic carrier models, including those for NTT DOCOMO and au, with each carrier scheduled to implement the Android 17 OS upgrade. Overseas, Android 17 is already being rolled out, primarily for the Xperia 1 VIII, and the rollout in Japan is expected to begin shortly.
The main new Android 17 features listed include screen reactions, expanded bubble displays, a precise location button, a gamepad UI for foldable devices, and a lost-device marking feature with 2-step verification.
On the Xperia 1 VIII in particular, Quick Share and AirDrop will work together, making it easier to share photos and files with iPhones, iPads and Macs. The announcement also introduces numerous UI improvements and feature additions, including an enhanced PC mode, wallpaper and icon customization, and a redesigned Quick Settings panel.