Android 4.3 Release Date: Several Sony Devices Confimed For Updates; Samsung, HTC And Others Uncertain

The Android 4.3 operating system, which was unveiled Wednesday alongside the new Nexus 7 tablet, was recently rolled out onto a number of Nexus devices, including the original Nexus 7, the Nexus 4, the Nexus 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It is soon expected to come to the Google Play Editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One; however, devices made by OEMS will likely have to wait much longer to see Android 4.3 roll out on their handsets. Here’s a rundown on what manufacturers have planned for their Android 4.3 rollouts.

Sony

Owners of Sony devices will be pleased to know that the Japanese manufacturer has confirmed the Android 4.3 update for seven of its devices including the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP and the Xperia Z Ultra. Sony said it's currently working with Google and processor chipset manufacturer Qualcomm to get these devices updated to Android 4.3, a number of which will update from Android 4.1. Exactly when these updates will occur remains uncertain, but Sony confirmed that it's done lot more than other manufactures in terms of updating Android.

Samsung

Samsung doesn't usually reveal much about its plans for system updates, and Android 4.3 is no different. TechRadar recently spoke with Samsung UK, which stated it could “confirm upgrade plans to Android 4.3 to selected Galaxy devices in the coming months.” This is the only news we have from Samsung about the Android 4.3 update.

Recent reports indicate that Samsung has canceled the Android 4.2.2 update for the Galaxy Note 2 in favor of Android 4.3, and it may also have plans to do the same for the Galaxy S3; however these reports remain unconfirmed by Samsung and have no specific rollout dates associated with them. Many propose that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the first device to receive the Android 4.3 update; however, the Korean manufacturer may also wait until the release of its next flagship device, likely the Galaxy Note 3, in order to introduce Android 4.3 to Samsung. This is what it did with Android 4.2.2, which debuted on the Galaxy S4 in March when the operating system was released in November 2012.

HTC

HTC, which is not known for its speedy system updates, has also divulged only minimal information about its plans for Android 4.3 with the manufacturer’s senior global online communications manager, Jeff Gordon, telling TechRadar, "We're reviewing Android 4.3 to see how this update fits into our plans."

HTC just recently rolled out its Android 4.2.2 update for the HTC One overseas while the U.S. version of the device has yet to see an update. Many don’t expect to see Android 4.3 come to HTC devices anytime soon; however, according to HTC leakster and developer @LLabTooFeR, the HTC One will see the update in the “near future.” The One is reportedly the only HTC device currently in the running to receive an Android 4.3 update, the leakster added.

LG

LG, which is also known for its slow and sporadic updates, has not yet made any statements on its plans for Android 4.3. Among the manufacturer’s flagships are the LG Optimus G, which only recently updated to Android 4.1.2 and the LG Optimus G Pro, which has yet to update from Android 4.1.2, which runs native on the device. Though there may be hope for seeing Android 4.3 on the recently announced LG G2, which will be unveiled Aug. 7. There is currently no official spec information available for the device.

Motorola

Despite being a subsidiary of Google, Motorola has also made no announcements about its plans for Android 4.3. The mobile phone company recently announced its new series of Droid devices for Verizon, which will be released in August and run Android 4.2.2. There is also the elusive Moto X, which will be Motorola’s first major Google smartphone. Among the many rumors circulating for the Moto X, exactly which operating system it will run remains uncertain. Both Motorola and Google remain silent about any information about the Moto X.

Do you think we will see Android 4.3 Jelly Bean released by any OEMs soon? Let us know in the comments below.

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