TL;DR
- Sony is rolling out Android 17 to the Xperia 10 VIII and VII.
- The update will bring refreshed wallpaper and clock designs, customizable icons, a facelift for the Quick Settings panel, and improved screen recording.
- However, these phones will miss out on Desktop mode, Quick Share AirDrop support, and the AI Camera Assistant upgrade.
Android 17 started rolling out for Sony’s smartphones in September, with the Xperia 1 VIII being the first to receive the update. Now, it’s finally trickling down to the Xperia 10 VIII and Xperia 10 VII. However, these phones won’t get the same experience as Sony’s flagship models did.
As Sony highlights, the update will bring several new features to the Xperia 10 VIII and VII. The Wallpaper & Style feature has been updated to include refreshed wallpaper and clock designs. It also introduces customizable icons, letting you choose the shape and style.
The Quick Settings panel also received an update, allowing you to resize and arrange tiles. Short descriptions can also be displayed on larger tiles. Meanwhile, screen recording now lets you record the entire screen or just a single app, and supports simultaneous capture of device and microphone audio.
Unfortunately, the Xperia 10 VIII and VII will miss out on a few features. Both Quick Share AirDrop support and the upgraded AI Camera Assistant experience are exclusive to the Xperia 1 VIII. Sony is also locking Android 17’s Desktop mode behind the Xperia 1 VIII, VII, and VI.
For Xperia 10 VI owners hoping for Android 17, the news is disappointing. Although Sony previously said the Xperia 10 VI would receive the update, the company changed its mind in October, citing “limitations related to the device’s storage configuration” as the reason for cancelling the rollout on that model.
