Key Takeaways
1. The Sony Xperia 1 VII is back on sale after fixing a mainboard issue and has received its first major Android update to version 71.1.A.2.68, upgrading it to Android 16.
2. The update is 1.1 GB and includes minor user interface tweaks but does not feature Google’s new “Material 3 Expressive” design.
3. Security enhancements include Google’s Advanced Protection feature, which needs to be manually activated to block unsafe apps and websites, as well as scam calls.
4. Sony does not support Live Updates, but the new notifications in Android 16 are better grouped, and there are improvements for hearing aid support.
5. Users can now capture and share screenshots as HDR images with the Android 16 update.
The Sony Xperia 1 VII is back on the market after a halt in sales due to a mainboard problem. Now, the company has rolled out its first significant Android update for this flagship device. The Xperia 1 VII originally launched with Android 15, and Sony has promised updates will continue through Android 19.
Update Details
The new update, version 71.1.A.2.68, is a hefty 1.1 GB download and upgrades the device to Android 16. However, the update doesn’t bring as many changes as one might expect on a Google Pixel phone. Sony has only made slight tweaks to the user interface and hasn’t integrated Google’s new “Material 3 Expressive” design. Many users on Reddit have shared their dissatisfaction, although Sony has at least improved some system settings.
Security Enhancements
The Android 16 update also brings a variety of security enhancements. The Advanced Protection feature from Google aims to shield users from malware and different types of attacks, but it needs to be turned on manually in the settings. When activated, this feature blocks apps and websites that Google has deemed unsafe, while also attempting to identify and block scam calls in most situations.
New Features and Improvements
Currently, Sony does not support Live Updates, which are a new form of push notifications capable of being continuously updated—for example, to show the estimated time of arrival for a food delivery. Yet, the notifications in Android 16 are designed to be more intelligently grouped, and there are improvements in support for hearing aids. Finally, Android 16 enables users to capture and share screenshots as HDR images.
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