Posted on Dec 16 2013 - 4:06pm by Anurag Kumar

We knew that Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update will soon come on Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra soon and Sony Mobile has just confirmed on their blog that Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update is rolling now officially for Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra now. As both phones are getting the same Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware so we will stick only one post this time where we will post all about this firmware.

14.2.A.0.290 firmware brings Android 4.3 update on both Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra with lots of changes and updates. Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware is still seeding so might not get the notification all over the world at the same time. Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware has been confirmed on UK, India, Finland, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand region on Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra. Available via PC Companion and SUS, no OTA seen yet.

[ UPDATE – 20 Dec ]

Xperia Z1, Z Ultra 14.2.A.1.XXX firmware bug fixing update coming soon

[ UPDATE ] Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update confirmed in India for Z1 and Z Ultra. 923.4 MB is size.

First have a look at what Sony has to say on this update. Sony Mobile’s official changelog on this Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update for Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra.

Project Butter performance & UI optimisation and a smoother graphical experience.

Sony’s Smart Social Camera to Xperia Z Ultra launched.

Tweaked  Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, Sony Select apps.

Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network update.

New “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select app.

Android security enhancements.

Xperia Z1 Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update

Connect your Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra to PC companion and look for Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update notification as shown below.

Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update on Xperia Z1 via PC Companion

Xperia Z1 Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update

Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update Changelog – What we noticed ?

Below mentioned changelog applies to both Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra.

  • More calibrated screen display, much brighter now. More White Screen. NO YELLOW HUE ISSUE ANYMORE 🙂
  • New Option to choose Themes “XPERIA Themes” from Sony select app. Good ones are “paid themes” rest are free which is to be downloaded via Google Play store via Sony select app.
  • Bootloader camera bug fixed on Xperia Z1 now 🙂 the best thing. ( Now Camera works fine after unlocking the bootloader )
  • Phone’s UI changes as per theme applied.
  • Home screen soft icons and status bar changes as per theme applied.
  • One-Hand Keyboard settings in there, so you can type with only hand ( right ).
  • Windows Tethering option is there which allows Xperia Z1 to be paired with Windows 8.1+ PC via Bluetooth. You can connect to the mobile network from your PC without any further settings on your phone.
  • Movies app 5.3.A.0.18 version, Walkman app 8.0.A.0.4 version, Xperia Home 6.1.1.A.0.8 version and Album app version 5.2.A.1.22 though for some apps higher builds were seen in leaked Xperia Z android 4.3 firmware.
  • More Smooth interface, project butter successful.
  • Touch screen more responsive now.
  • Battery life need to test for the time being.
  • Camera pic much better now, less noise was noticed though it is still present there. Camera app UI more smooth now. Change in camera click sound.
  • Stock Email app updated.
  • Xperia Support app present.
  • Better signal reception on 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi.
  • For Xperia Z Ultra specially Xperia Z1 Sony Smart Camera app now available on it.

For Xperia Z Ultra specially Xperia Z1 Sony Smart Camera app now available on it.

Got AnTuTu score of 36125 points on Xperia Z1 Android 4.314.2.A.0.290 firmware 🙂

Download Xperia Z1 Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware ftf

For all Xperia Z1 Users who have not got Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update notification yet, can download the ftf file from below link and flash it manually on your Xperia Z1

Download for Xperia Z1 C6903

Below file is extracted from :- Software version 1274-8313_14.2.A.0.290, C6903 LTE BRANDED,  Customisation – 1276-0815_R1B, Vodafone UK

Download C6903_14.2.A.0.290_Vodafone-UK.ftf [ Updated ]
[ via XDA user gregbradley ]

Below file is extracted fro 1274-8313_14.2.A.0.290 EURO – user, C6903 LTE UNBRANDED, Customization Version: 1276-9897_R2B,  Generic NCB

Download C6903_14.2.A.0.290_Generic NCB.part1.rar

Download C6903_14.2.A.0.290_Generic NCB.part2.rar
[ via XDA user Rekoil ]

Download for Xperia Z1 C6902 INDIA

Android version : 4.3
Baseband : 8974-AAAAANAZQ-10270025-26
Kernel : 3.4.0-perf-g4f35567 BuildUser@BuildHost #1 Tue Nov 19 19:53:25 2013

Download Xperia_Z1_C6902_14.2.A.0.290_GLOBAL-HSPA_IN | 948 MB
[ via XDA Legend DooMLoRD ] MD5HASH: d5c1c0aca979436edda4b85283421bd6

Xperia Z1 Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update

NOTE :- While flashing, Tick “No final verification” in flashtool. Use Latest flashtool only. To keep your apps, data ; Tick “Exclude data” in flashtool

As soon as we get Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware ftf for Xperia Z1 C6902 we will soon update it here.

Xperia Z Ultra Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update

Connect your Xperia Z Ultra to PC companion and look for a notification as shown below to update to  Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware.

Xperia Z Ultra Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update

Download Z Ultra Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware ftf

Download C6833_14.2.A.0.290_SG-lte.ftf | 850 MB
[ via XDA user Reb0rn ]

Z Ultra Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware Update

How to Flash manually Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware on Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra ?

Flashing manually don’t require any root or unlocking of bootloader. So juts download the ftf files from above link and proceed as per steps mentioned in below guide.

GUIDE :- How to Flash manually Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware on Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra ?

Meanwhile if any Xperia Z Ultra user has got this Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update notification, kindly let us know we will update the post ASAP.

Main question we want to ask Xperia Z1 users, IS YELLOW HUE ISSUE STILL THERE IN 4.3 UPDATE ON Z1 ? LET US KNOW…

Drop your comments below on this Android 4.3 14.2.A.0.290 firmware update, do you like the flavor of it, what changes and bugs you noticed…While commenting do mention for which device you are talking about. If you want us to add more in the changelog, let us know…



About the Author

Blogging as a hobby. Sales & Marketing Professional. MBA (IB) from IIFT Delhi (2015-17). Founder & Editor-in-Chief of GizmoBolt.com ( formerly XperiaGuide.com ) , TipsySafarnama.com & TipsyChai.com. Follow at Facebook I Twitter I Google Plus | LinkedIn | Instagram. Contact at [email protected] for feedback and sending tips. Donate Us.

67 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. Aditya December 16, 2013 at 4:13 pm - Reply

    Hey update rolling in India?

    • athiban December 16, 2013 at 5:15 pm - Reply

      yes it is..:)

  2. siwan05 December 16, 2013 at 4:52 pm - Reply

    the manual update FTF that you provided a link to doesn’t work. results in error and flash aborted.

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 4:58 pm - Reply

      let me get back to XDA dev and update the link.

      • siwan05 December 16, 2013 at 5:00 pm - Reply

        Sorry just to clarify, the link itself works fine. But the FTF file gives an error when flashing it in Flashtool 🙂

        • siwan05 December 16, 2013 at 5:13 pm - Reply

          and it’s for Vodafone UK

          • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 5:17 pm -

            i have left the message to XDA dev, I just got the udpate for for my C6902 India, updating it as soon as finished will upload the ftf.

      • Santhosh December 16, 2013 at 5:02 pm - Reply

        The update is already available officially in India. Update using PC suite.

  3. Miikky December 16, 2013 at 5:17 pm - Reply

    Available in Finland also.
    (Currently downloading and updating via Sony PC Companion app).

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 5:44 pm - Reply

      for which device ? IF for Z Ultra send us screenshots.

      • Miikky December 16, 2013 at 6:11 pm - Reply

        for Xperia Z1(C6903)

  4. Aditya December 16, 2013 at 5:50 pm - Reply

    Got it updating now!

  5. Hoang December 16, 2013 at 6:06 pm - Reply

    After downloading, the Sony PC Companion say: there is no software available for your phone/tablet. Please support to solve it.
    Thanks

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 6:08 pm - Reply

      on booting phone you getting this error ? Which device ? or connecting to PCcompanion ?

      • Miikky December 16, 2013 at 6:12 pm - Reply

        Same error here after downloading the update and PC Companion reboots the phone, currently installing PC Companion to another laptop and try if that one helps….Xperia Z1 (C6903)

        • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 6:15 pm - Reply

          am updating currently about to finish, let me see the status on it.

  6. JonJon December 16, 2013 at 6:28 pm - Reply

    Succesfully updated on Z ultra. Camera has some new options, the new themes, Playstation mobile, Xperia Care.

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 6:33 pm - Reply

      please send us the screenshots here [email protected] We will post them here.

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 7:05 pm - Reply

      hey are you sending us, we have even sent you a mail.

      • JonJon December 16, 2013 at 7:25 pm - Reply

        sent, couple of humongous files.. over an hour ago..

        • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 7:33 pm - Reply

          got nothing bro here, checked again nothing in spam box also, try forwarding on this id – [email protected]
          Did you get the mail which we sent on your id ?

        • JonJon December 16, 2013 at 7:36 pm - Reply

          Sent the first mail over 2hrs ago, retried 1h ago, sent an imgur-album link few moments ago..

          • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 7:38 pm -

            Nothing here bro, no mail received. Checked, post link here in comments i will track from it 🙂

  7. acidrums4 December 16, 2013 at 6:38 pm - Reply

    Arrived to Colombia via Sony Companion.

    Couldn’t update yet because a stupid firewall, though.

  8. Sophearun December 16, 2013 at 6:46 pm - Reply

    Dear Admin… i’m a C6902 User with .257 root.. if i update with PC Companion how about my Rooted? it still keep? if don’t what can i do? or where can i download C6902 ftf?

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 6:48 pm - Reply

      If you update via PCC ROOT goes. Ftf not available yet, currently uploading it.

      • Sophearun December 16, 2013 at 6:55 pm - Reply

        Thanks you so much Admin, if FTF available, can i keeping my root?

        • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 7:01 pm - Reply

          no flashing ftf makes root away…don’t worry root method will come soon

  9. Nicelson December 16, 2013 at 8:56 pm - Reply

    Available in Brazil via Companion.

  10. ameer December 16, 2013 at 9:48 pm - Reply

    i am unable to see any of your screen shots on this post..

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 10:04 pm - Reply

      why so ? Tap on them to view….I am using Xperia Z1 and it is working fine on mobile and on PC Click on a pic to show slider.

  11. Aditya December 16, 2013 at 10:35 pm - Reply

    Anyone having issues with gaming on Xperia Z1?

    • Anurag Kumar December 16, 2013 at 10:45 pm - Reply

      let me run some high end games..

  12. Aditya December 16, 2013 at 10:42 pm - Reply

    Cos I’m having one serious bug!! My gpu is drunk! For example in subway surfers I can’t see anything but menu elements.

  13. Aditya December 16, 2013 at 10:53 pm - Reply

    Strange!Asphalt 8 and angry birds works perfectly. But temple run 2, subway surfers and daddy was a thief doesn’t work! Guys need help!

  14. Aditya December 16, 2013 at 11:05 pm - Reply

    False alert! I cleared data of all the games which didn’t work and now it’s working! Anyways if anyone face this issue try clearing the data. Peace out

    • Samegal73 December 29, 2013 at 10:12 am - Reply

      ghow do i clear data?

  15. felipe December 17, 2013 at 3:10 am - Reply

    Received successfully in Mexico. Xperia Z Ultra

  16. CARLOS December 17, 2013 at 4:09 am - Reply

    XPERIA Z1 LTE C6906 FTF JB 4.3??

  17. Max December 17, 2013 at 5:00 am - Reply

    Autodesk Pixlr Express app comes pre-installed on the 4.3 JB Z Ultra.

  18. Saurav Sinha December 17, 2013 at 8:46 am - Reply

    when it is gonna release for xperia z ??

  19. kris December 17, 2013 at 2:43 pm - Reply

    any sign of this for UK?

    • Anurag Kumar December 17, 2013 at 3:17 pm - Reply

      for Z1 it came last night, for ZU you asking ?

  20. Frank December 17, 2013 at 5:19 pm - Reply

    No release in the netherlands up to now, will keep you posted.

    • Anurag Kumar December 17, 2013 at 5:27 pm - Reply

      we had it here 24 hours back, more smooth UI, camera improved etc. Nothing major except bootloader issue.

  21. rozek260 December 18, 2013 at 10:58 am - Reply

    Hi guys! J living in uk and j get phone from phone4u and j still havent update for my z1 to 4.3? Whos know where is problem? Thanks
    Patrick

  22. meetdaleet December 19, 2013 at 2:11 pm - Reply

    OTA Update (Xperia Z1) available for “Vodafone.DE 1276-7275_R6A”

    Regards,

    meet

  23. Frank December 19, 2013 at 2:39 pm - Reply

    still no news from the netherlands

  24. Hassan December 23, 2013 at 10:39 am - Reply

    Brasil?

  25. Rohit December 26, 2013 at 12:09 pm - Reply

    Hi, I m nt getting any 4.3 update here in India… How to update 4.2 ??? Pls help bro.

    • Anurag Kumar December 26, 2013 at 12:17 pm - Reply

      4.3 not rolled in India for XZ yet

      • Rohit December 26, 2013 at 12:22 pm - Reply

        I m using Z1

  26. Naser January 13, 2014 at 9:41 am - Reply

    Dear Sirs,
    I bought a new Z ultra some days ego… but the device center man told me that the new update 14.2.a.0.290 has Some problems and I must NOT update my phone to it .
    Is it Correct or not ?
    Naser Najafi
    Tehran
    Iran

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