Android 7.1.1 Nougat is now available for the Sony Xperia X as part of Sony’s concept Android software program. Sony has started to release the software as build number 38.3.A.0.41, and the software is only reaching Sony Xperia X devices that have signed up to be part of the concept software program. This is an over-the-air update which means those who are already on a concept software build will see the OTA download show up on their device, but if the alert hasn’t shown up yet users who should be getting it can also check for the software update manually by tapping on About Phone from the settings menu and then tapping on Software Update.
The Sony Xperia X already had Android 7.0 Nougat as a concept software build, so there won’t be a huge cache of new features and functions available once the software is installed on devices, but there are a handful of changes that are listed by Sony as part of the changelog. This includes the December 1st Android Security Update, as well as Android 7.1.1 specific changes, such as the App Shortcuts API. Sony also makes note of a few other changes that are specific to Sony devices, like the support for PS4 Remote Play on the Concept builds, albeit without support for the DualShock 4 controllers for now, which means users who are running the Xperia X on the concept Nougat software will have to play games with Remote Play’s digital on screen touch controls for the time being.
Sony has also added in the ability to restart the device from the power off menu for the phone which Sony states was a heavily requested feature, and it would seem that Sony was only too happy to oblige their users here. The camera also now starts up faster than before which means quicker pictures, likely a very beneficial improvement for users who take a lot of pictures. Sony had stated that Android 7.1.1 Nougat was a priority, and that they wanted to be the first company to push this version of Nougat to non-Google devices which they were able to do. Having said that, this is still a concept software build, which means that Sony may not be the first device to push a finalized build out to their devices officially.
