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Google's ARCore team just rolled out a new update that appears to bring the augmented reality framework to several more phones and tablets. Some hot new (and upcoming) devices are on the list, like the Galaxy Note9, OnePlus 6T, and ROG Phone. These are also joined by some older models like the Sony Xperia X.
Are you ready for a surprise? Paranoid Android/AOSPA, of long-standing ROM fame, has just pushed out a status update on the project's plans, as well as the first ever Oreo releases for the ROM. Unfortunately for the vast majority of us, they're only available for a handful of Sony phones.
As everyone is well aware of by now, TWRP is by far and away the most popular custom recovery for Android devices today. It covers a huge variety of phones and tablets, and more are constantly being added. This time around, the additions include the Sony Xperia X and X Compact, Moto E4, US unlocked LG G5, and more.
Sony has started rolling out an update to Android 8.0 Oreo to its Xperia X and Xperia X Compact phones. The version has build number 34.4.A.0.364 and is a little over one gigabyte to download.
Sony may not come to mind as one of the most developer-friendly mobile tech companies out there, but its Open Devices program proves otherwise. The latest fruits of this creation come in the form of AOSP Android 8.0 Oreo, which is now available for six Xperia smartphones.
At its IFA press conference, Sony announced several new devices and importantly, it also let us know which existing phones will be updated to Android Oreo 8.0. For the past few years, Sony has been one of the best (if not the absolute fastest) companies at updating its existing portfolio of devices to the new versions of Android, even keeping relatively old phones on top of the update cycle in relatively fast manner.
The Xperia X is an upper-mid range (is that even a thing?) phone from Sony, which arrived in the United States about a year ago. It was pretty expensive for the specifications when it was released, priced at $549 in the US. But since then, it has continued to drop in price, and now you can get it for $214.99 from Amazon and B&H - the lowest price we've seen yet.For the unacquainted, the Xperia X has a Snapdragon 650 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, a 23MP back camera, and a 13MP front shooter. The screen is a 5" 1080p LCD panel, and there is a 2,620mAh battery powering everything. The model for sale is the North American variant, which works on GSM carriers (complete with Band 12 for T-Mobile). For $215, this is definitely a good phone, especially considering it currently has Android 7.1.1. As far as I can tell, Sony has not yet announced if this will get Android Oreo.You can find it on B&H and Amazon at the links below. If you want to buy it from Amazon, you'll have to wait a few more days for it to ship, as the phone is currently out of stock there (but orders are still accepted).Source: B&H, Amazon
Unlike what B&H would like you to believe, the Sony Xperia X hasn't retailed for $399 in a long time. Actually, it's been hovering around the $300 mark since the end of 2016 and has recently dipped to and stayed at $250 on Amazon. However, if B&H wants to call this a DealZone deal, then we shall call it a DealZone deal, even if it's only $20 less than other stores.
Until recently, it almost seemed like most phone manufacturers were skipping Android 7.1 in favor of the upcoming Android O release. Thankfully, we've seen several manufacturers start to push 7.1 updates to at least some of their devices, and Sony's Xperia X and X Compact phones are up next.
Sony's new Xperia X line of phones was considered a bit overpriced when it launched. However, as all phones tend to do after time, they've since dropped in price. Today, you can grab an Xperia X Performance for only $299.99 - a full $200 off the sticker price. If you've been looking to grab a cheap Sony with mid- to high-end specs, now may be the time.The X Performance is, as its name would suggest, the most powerful model in the Xperia X line. Specs include a 5.0" 1080p IPS display, a Snapdragon 820, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and microSD expansion, a 23MP rear camera, a 13MP front-facer, and a 2700mAh battery. Plus, there's IP68 water resistance, Bluetooth 4.2, and PS4 Remote Play. Unfortunately, the fingerprint sensor's been disabled for the American market, but you can flash other countries' firmware to get around this.
I've seen that there are two general camps when it comes to phones these days: those who want something big, and those who don't. For the latter, Sony has become a bit of a savior by continuing to make decent phones in a small form-factor. If you're part of that camp and you've been waiting for a deal on a recent Sony phone, that time has arrived. B&H and Amazon have the Xperia X for $250. That'll get you a nice 5" display and decent specs for a reasonable price.Just a month ago Amazon had it listed for over $300, and Best Buy is still claiming it is a deal at $280 marked down from an imaginary $350. The phone might have a few strange design decisions, like the placement of the volume keys and the lack of fingerprint recognition on the US model, but the specs aren't bad. Our review praised the battery life and software, and Sony has a pretty decent track record keeping it updated.Specs are fairly decent. It has a Snapdragon 650, 3GB RAM, 32GB of storage with microSD expansion, a 2620mAh battery, and a 5" 1080p IPS panel. It might not have been a great deal at launch, and it's no flagship, but at $250 it's a decent phone. Keep in mind, the Xperia X Concept program is scheduled to stop after 7.1.2 in May, so the Sony-made alternate ROM should probably not be a significant factor in your purchasing decision. If you're still eager, pick yours up at one of the source links below.Source: B&H (1, 2, 3), Amazon
Back in 2015, Sony created the "Sony's Concept for Android" program. The result was something between a beta program and an alternate ROM that offered a mostly-stock Android experience with fast updates. Unfortunately, Sony has decided to end the program - at least for the Xperia X.
Sony's Concept is an optional program for Xperia X owners, which switches out the custom Xperia software for a nearly-stock Android ROM. Android 7.1.2 was released for Nexus and Pixel phones only two weeks ago, and it looks like Sony will be the first OEM besides Google to push the update.
When Android 7.0 Nougat started rolling out in August, Sony announced a list of devices that would get the official update sooner or later. These updates started at the beginning of the month with the Xperia X Performance and XZ and now another duo of phones is getting the Nougat treatment: the X and X Compact.
We have yet another deal from Sony to celebrate the Thankgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. Over on Amazon, you can score an Xperia X for $299, saving a total of $100. That price feels about right for this phone (finally). So if you have been considering getting this little guy, now is a good time to pick one up.With a Snapdragon 650, a 1080p display, 3GB of RAM, and a 2620mAh battery, the Xperia X is a pretty decent phone for $299. That MSRP goes any higher and it's just overpriced. So this deal could come across in two different ways, depending on your perspective.Regardless of how you look at it, this is still the best price we have seen yet on this phone. Take note that sale is only good on the black version — the other three colors are $338-$349 in price for now.Source: Amazon
Sony has been toying with a different take on Android for the last year. The company calls it the "Concept for Android" program, and it gives Sony a place to test out new features for its phones with a cleaner build of Android. It's only available on select phones in certain markets, but another one is being added to the list today. The Xperia X in Europe can now download the latest Concept for Android.
Sony, for a couple of years, was my very favorite smartphone manufacturer. The Z3 was, in my opinion, the best smartphone of its generation. I have since moved on to a Nexus 6P, but my wife still uses my old Z3 and I still miss its epic battery life and water resistance.The Japanese manufacturer has hit a bit of a rough patch the last couple of years, but they are still cranking out phones, and I'd wager some of you readers are still on team Sony, lusting after their hardware.If that's the case, then you really should check out the sale going on over at Amazon today. As part of its daily Gold Box promotion, Amazon has discounted all colors of the Sony Xperia XA, X, and X Performance by 25%. That translates to $199 for the Xperia XA, $349 for the Xperia X, and $499 for the X Performance. Sure, they may just be clearing out inventory for the newer XZ, and X compact, but a deal's a deal, eh?These are easily the best prices that I've seen yet for the Sony handsets and beat the deal we posted a few days back for the Xperia X by a fair margin. Want an unlocked Sony Xperia? Now is a good time to buy one — grab one for yourself by following the links below. The sale expires at the end of the day, so don't procrastinate.
Sony has tried more than once to wedge themselves into the North American smartphone market, but often to no avail. Perhaps in an effort to clear stock for their recently-released Xperia XZ and X Compact, Sony is now offering the Xperia X for $399 on Amazon.Even at that price, I'm not sure I would recommend this phone. If you read our review of the device, you'll know that it didn't impress us. While the display, front-facing speakers, and battery life are excellent, it is not water resistant, lacks a fingerprint sensor, and has a lackluster camera. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 650 CPU with 3GB of RAM, and has 32GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot.If you really, really want an Xperia X, this is the best price we have seen it at. The black color is $399, the Lime Gold is $422, and White and Rose Gold are $424.Source: Amazon
The Xperia X line is decent, but considerably behind competitors from Samsung and LG this year, with prices that border on the astronomical for their features. So what happens when you price your flagship phones too high and nobody buys them? Discounts, baby. Best Buy is already offering the mid-range Xperia X and flagship Xperia X Performance for considerably less than retail, and as unlocked GSM phones, too - no carrier shenanigans to be seen.
Let's be honest: the Xperia X was kind of a ripoff at its MSRP of $549.99. It's a solid mid-ranger, but that much dough for a non-flagship? Come on. A few months back, this Sony smartphone got a price drop of $50 to $499.99. Now, numerous official retailers have dropped their prices to an even more palatable $449.99, and BuyDig is also throwing in a Lexar Class 10 128GB microSD card.For $450, you get a 5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 650, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. On the optics side, you get a 13MP front-facing camera (for all those high-resolution selfies) and a 23MP rear-facing module. Keep in mind that unlike its bigger brother, the Xperia X Performance, the Xperia X is not water-resistant, so don't go swimming with it.Multiple retailers have the phone at $449.99; however, if you're interested in the free 128GB Lexar microSD card, you'll have to purchase from BuyDig. There are still reasons you'd want to buy from other sellers though; maybe you're an Amazon Prime member and want to get free two-day shipping, or maybe you live near a Best Buy and desire the ability to pick the phone up locally. You can also choose from B&H and Target. Every store is carrying all four colors (Graphite Black, White, Rose Gold [it's pink], Lime Gold).Check the source links for each retailer's Xperia X listing.Source: Amazon, B&H, Best Buy, BuyDig, Target