Sony Mobile has added a new smartphone to its Open Device Program, namely the recently launched Sony Xperia XZs. Under Sony’s Open Device Program, Sony Xperia XZs owners now have the ability to build and/or flash custom versions of Android Nougat based on AOSP (Android Open Source Project). As usual, Sony now provides users with build guides and binaries for the Sony Xperia XZs, and those who may want to participate in the initiative can also visit the device’s specific Github page to gain access to additional resources.
The Sony Xperia XZs was officially unveiled earlier this year during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The smartphone was launched more recently carrying the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 system-on-chip (SoC) under the hood coupled with the Adreno 530 graphics chip and 4GB of RAM, all while running Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. As the handset is now a member of the Sony Open Device Program, it’s guaranteed to continue and offer support for developers and users eager to test out new and upcoming custom software based on AOSP. The Sony Xperia XZs joins a handful of other Sony Mobile devices that are already a part of the Open Device Program, including the Sony Xperia XZ, Xperia X Performance, as well as the Sony Xperia X and its smaller counterpart – the Sony Xperia X Compact. Having said that, the Sony Xperia XZs is the newest Sony smartphone to join the Open Device Program, but given the company’s commitment to providing tools and keep in touch with the developer community, it likely won’t be the last Sony handset to enjoy this treatment.
Android enthusiasts and developers who may want to tinker with their devices can head down to the source link below for additional information and resources about Sony’s software program and the Xperia XZs in particular. For readers who might be unfamiliar with the Sony Xperia XZs, the smartphone also houses a 19-megapixel main camera with electronic image stabilization (EIS), a 13-megapixel front-facing sensor, a USB Type-C reversible connector, and a fingerprint recognition scanner embedded within the side power button. An unlocked variant of the handset is available for approximately $700 and can be acquired in black, blue, and silver colors.