Sony has dropped Android 17 support for the Xperia 10 VI, despite originally promising three major Android version updates for the handset. The 2024 mid-range phone launched with Android 14, and the commitment had put Android 17 on its update roadmap.
The company says a technical assessment found that the Xperia 10 VI's storage configuration would prevent it from delivering an Android 17 experience that meets Sony's quality standards. Sony has not specified the exact nature of the storage-related limitation.
Sony apologized for the change, acknowledging that it conflicts with its original software-support commitment. The decision does not affect security patches: the Xperia 10 VI is still due to receive security updates for four years from its launch.
Sony says the issue is limited to the Xperia 10 VI and does not affect other models in its lineup. Of the six Xperia phones expected to receive Android 17, five remain on track, with the update already rolling out to those devices.
Cancelled major OS updates after a formal launch commitment remain unusual in the smartphone market. Sony's explanation establishes that the Xperia 10 VI will stop short of Android 17, but the company has yet to detail why its storage setup became a barrier.
