O2 blocks Ice Cream Sandwich for Xperia Arc, Ray and Neo

O2 blocks Ice Cream Sandwich for Xperia Arc, Ray and Neo
Bad news for O2 customers with an Arc, Ray or Neo

UK mobile network O2 has announced that it will not be pushing out the Ice Cream Sandwich update to customers who own a Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, Xperia Ray or Xperia Neo.

The news will come as a surprise to users who own these smartphones, as Sony has officially made the latest version of Android available for these handsets, and Google has to approve the update before it gets released.

O2 states the reason for its decision not to push the upgrade to the three handsets is due to negative implications Android 4.0 had on the handset's speed and performance.

Performance issues

In a news article on its site, O2 said: "Unfortunately with the Xperia ray, arc and neo our testing found that the software update affected the phone's speed and performance.

"Because the software affects the phone's performance in this way and because you can't revert back to an earlier version of Android without having your phone completely restored, we have decided not to approve the update (for the Arc, Ray and Neo)."

This means if you purchased your Arc, Ray or Neo via O2, then you'll be stuck with Android 2.3 Gingerbread – which O2 notes is a "very stable platform" - until you decide to ditch the handset for something different.

Sony has had positive feedback

TechRadar contacted Sony about O2's decision, and a spokesperson for the firm said: "In general we have had positive feedback from consumers who have upgraded their 2011 Xperia smartphone to Android 4.0.

"Android 4.0 is a more powerful OS, with new features and functionality, but it also requires more memory resource from the smartphone and this may impact performance in some user scenarios on 2011 Xperia smartphones.

"Our approach when we released this software earlier this year was to clearly inform consumers about the impact it would have on their smartphones so they could take a conscious and informed decision to ensure it was suitable and performing for the individual needs of the consumer."

So Sony admits that is some cases performance may be affected, but we wonder whether O2 has taken it a step to far by completely blocking the upgrade.

Perhaps consumers should be given the choice whether or not to upgrade their devices, as long as Sony/O2 provide them with all the necessary information before hand in regards to potential issues.

From O2

TOPICS
John McCann
Former Global Managing Editor

TechRadar's former Global Managing Editor, John has been a technology journalist for more than a decade, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He’s interviewed CEOs from some of the world’s biggest tech firms, visited their HQs, and appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC, and BBC Radio 4.

Latest in Sony Xperia Phones
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: an old-school flagship that demands some compromise
A hand holding the Sony Xperia Pro-I phone
Sony’s rumored Xperia Pro C could have a surprise design that makes it more like a compact camera
Sony Xperia 1 VI camera
The Sony Xperia 1 VI has landed, with a big zoom and a high price
A Sony Xperia 1 V from the front
Sony Xperia 1 VI leak reveals new camera app and more features borrowed from Alpha cameras
A photo of the Sony Xperia 5 V smartphone
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Saved by the camera
Sony Xperia 5 V colors press image
Sony Xperia 5 V announced: release date, features, and everything you need to know
Latest in News
cheap Nintendo Switch game deals sales
Nintendo didn't anticipate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was 'going to be the juggernaut' for the Nintendo Switch when it was ported to the console, according to former employees
Three angles of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 laptop above a desk
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review roundup – should you buy Apple's new lightweight laptop?
Witchbrook
Witchbrook, the life-sim I've been waiting years for, finally has a release window and it's sooner than you think
Amazon Echo Smart Speaker
Amazon is experimenting with renaming Echo speakers to Alexa speakers, and it's about time
Shigeru Miyamoto presents Nintendo Today app
Nintendo Today smartphone app is out now on iOS and Android devices – and here's what it does
iPhone 13 mini
The iPhone mini won't be returning, according to rumors – and you think that's a mistake