Yesterday we reported that the Android 4.0 update for the Xperia S would be released in late Q2 and we can now confirm one of the reasons why the Xperia S is receiving the Android 4.0 update later than the 2011 range of Xperia handsets.

The Android Ice Cream Sandwich update for the 2011 Xperia phones has updated the handsets to Android 4.0.3, with 2.6.32 kernal. The Xperia S however, is most likely to be updated to Android 4.0.4, with a kernal version of 3.0.8. A snapshot of a leaked ROM from the Xperia NX shows the phone running a later kernal of 3.0.8 and 4.0.3 with a build number of 6.1.A.0.405.

UK network Three are now stocking the Sony Xperia U handset. The smaller of the newest Xperia releases is available on pay as you go or free with a variety of contract options.

Earlier this month, news came in that The Xperia S handset was to recieve it’s anticipated Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich update a little earlier than expected. A member of the Sony forum support team had posted saying that the ICS update for the Xperia S was coming out late May early June.  This news brought much excitement amongst Xperia S owners. Unfortunately, the information given on the official Sony Mobile forums at this time was incorrect and the company have moved to rectify this information. The support staff member himself has changed his original post and reposted giving the correct details that the Android 4.0 update for the Xperia S is actually due in the latter part of Q2. See the image post below for his full explanation:

More Xperia release news tells us that India is to recieve the Xperia P smartphone handset into their mobile market from as soon as the end of May.

Sony have confirmed that the handset is due to hit the Indian retail shelves by the end of the month and one online retail company already have the Xperia P available for pre-ordering with a stated release date of the 26th of May although, this has already changed from the 25th of May which was originally their stated date of release, so perhaps the date could still slip a little.

News of yet another Xperia range release is afoot, this time round it’s the Xperia U which is stepping into the Middle Eastern mobile market. The handset is now available to buy across the Middle East from electronic retailers at a cost of Dh 1,199, Sony Mobile have announced.