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.

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.

As we start to see more of these handsets in the wild, Sony have moved to update their support website to include the user guides for three of their newest Xperia handsets, namely the Xperia P, Xperia U and the Xperia sola smartphones, shortly before the handsets themselves are released officially.

Sony have announced two new handsets for the Japanese market. The first handset is pretty much of standard specifications. The Sony Xperia SX features a 3.7″ display with Sony Mobile Bravia and an 8mp camera, along with a 1.5GHz dual core processor. Other features will include mobile TV, mobile wallet and infrared connectivity.

Another new handset has been announced by Sony, in the form of the ‘Xperia neo L’, a smartphone handset that is due to be initially released in China.

Coming in the same vein specification wise as the previously released Xperia Neo V, the Neo L features a 4 inch display, 1GHz CPU, 512MB RAM and a 720p capable 5.1MP camera. The handset also has a front facing VGA camera. The Neo L is slightly longer and thinner than the Neo V.

Although Sony haven’t offered up definite information regarding the release of Android 4.0 aka Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) for their Xperia S flagship smartphone lately, at least there is ‘news’ filtering down from support staff on the Talk Sony Mobile forums of a potential date for the update rollout of ICS for the Xperia S.