Xperia Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware (14.3.A.0.681) review

by XB on 27th March 2014

in Android, Featured Content, Firmware, Reviews, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1


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Xperia Themes_KKSony recently commenced the Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware update for select Xperia handsets. The first models to get KitKat include the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra via build number 14.3.A.0.681. Sony has said that other models in the Xperia Z range will get the update from the middle of Q2 2014.

In the following review of this firmware, we have extensively compared what new changes that the new Xperia KitKat update brings. By now, we already know that some of the most anticipated features from the Xperia Z2, such as tap to wake and 4K recording, did not make it across. However, the following review will give you a good sense of how much has changed by moving from Android Jelly Bean to KitKat.

Xperia Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware (14.3.A.0.681) review

For reference, in the screenshots below you will see the Android 4.3 update on the Xperia Z1 compared against the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update on the Xperia Z1 Compact. We have included both ‘before and after’ pics to give some context on the changes.

PLEASE NOTE: Jelly Bean pictures are on the left and KitKat pictures are on the right. Look at the battery indicators if you get confused (the green battery icon shows Jelly Bean firmware).

About screen

This review focuses on the latest KitKat firmware update for the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra with build number 14.3.A.0.681. We are comparing it to the 14.2.A.1.136 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware.

About_JB About_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Home

One of the most immediate changes you will notice is the use of the transparent elements that Android KitKat brings. This includes the status bar at the top as well as the app tray at the bottom.

Home_JB Home_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The KitKat app drawer removes the frame around the apps that can be seen in the Jelly Bean firmware.

Screenshot_2014-03-26-16-37-48 2014-03-26 16.38.25
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Lock screen

The new KitKat lock screen requires a simple swipe to unlock. The ‘blind effect’ animation from Jelly Bean is gone and replaced by sparkles that track the finger as you unlock the handset. You will notice that the transparent status bar is also present in the KitKat lock screen.

The quick launch camera button has moved towards the bottom in KitKat. This requires a swipe up (similar to launching Google Now) which creates an arc to unlock to. Lock screen widgets are also possible, although this option can be removed in the settings.

Lock screen_JB Lock screen_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Notifications

The notifications menu could require some extra work in our view. First of all, the drop-down menu is now broken down into two parts. When you swipe down you can see all of your notifications, you then have to click across to access the quick settings.

This can be a bit cumbersome and adds an extra step to what was previously a one click process. One way around this is to use a two-finger swipe down to access the quick settings menu directly. However, this won’t help you if you are using your phone one handed.

We also feel that the pure black notification screen goes against some of the transparent design language found in Kitkat. Hopefully, Sony changes this in future updates.

Notifications_JB Notifications_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Power off

We surely can’t be the only ones that are so excited to see the “Take screenshot” option make a return in the power menu? It is long overdue and makes it much easier to take screenshots, especially since some cases make it very difficult to use the volume down + power button trick.

Power off_JB Power off_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Charging indicator

The charging icon moves outside of the battery icon in KitKat, which does make it easier to glean when the device is charging.

Charging_JB Charging_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

SONY MEDIA APPS

Sony’s suite of media applications have all been updated in the KitKat firmware build, but some more substantially than others.

Album

The Album app moved its build number marginally from 5.4.A.0.20 to 5.4.A.0.22. We noticed no changes in functionality between versions.

Album_JB_2 Album_KK_2.
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Movies app

The Movies app moved its build number more significantly from version 5.3.A.0.20 in Jelly Bean to 6.1.A.0.16 in KitKat. One of the major additions is the Movie Creator functionality that allows you to edit your videos (more on this below).

The front-end of the app shows no difference between versions.

Movies_JB Movies_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The settings menu between both versions are broadly similar. The screenshots below chop off the “Background playback” setting at the top featured in both versions. We did this to show some of the reshuffling that Sony has done with the settings that sit below Background playback.

Sony also changed “Hide recent videos” to “Hide last played video” i.e. moving from multiple videos to one.

Movies_JB_3 Movies_KK_3
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The UI for viewing recorded videos has changed in the Kitkat update. The rewind/forward buttons have been removed and you need to use the scrollable indicator to navigate your videos. The full video detail (date, time, video length, video size) information also seems to be removed. We now only see date and time that the video was taken.

In the new update, you will also notice the film board icon in the top right. This will take you to the Movie Creator feature.

Movies_JB_4 Movies_KK_4
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The Movie Creator feature puts some simple editing functionality at your fingertips. Once you’re happy with your creation you can save and share it.

Movies_KK_5

Android 4.4.2 KitKat

You are able to trim the video to a custom or predefined length. Much like the Timeshift video functionality, you can also select part of your video to run at a slower speed. There are options to run at 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 the speed.

Movies_KK_6 Movies_KK_7
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

WALKMAN

We noticed no significant changes in the WALKMAN app’s front end. The build number has moved from 8.1.A.0.3 to 8.1.A.0.6. One of the changes includes the ability to automatically share songs that are playing to Facebook. There also appears to be a toggle to turn Music Unlimited on/off.

WALKMAN_JB_2 WALKMAN_KK_2
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

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