Many smartphone makers have already started pushing out the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update to their handsets. Just like HTC, Samsung and LG, Sony is currently bringing ICS updates to select Xperia devices. The first two smartphones that are able to download it are the Sony Xperia Arc and the Neo. Their owners can check the update’s availability right now, and if it is there, find a stable Wi-Fi connection, because the update is big in size. Anyway, this Android 4.0.4 update brings many improvements, though it will remain on kernel 2.6.32. Among the most noteworthy enhancements we must mention Sony’s UXP NXT UI changes — perhaps you remember them from the 2012 Xperias including the Xperia S and P.

The other Xperia-line handsets such as the Xperia Arc S, the Xperia Neo V, and the Xperia Ray are being updated from Android 4.0.3 to version 4.0.4. The rest of the phones from the line will be getting the update soon, though the Xperia Play has already been announced not to get ICS. The aforementioned smartphones will be updated to the latest version of the OS with firmware build number 4.1.B.0.431, as it’s seen from the screenshot of the Xperia Neo V.

As for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, it’s the first PlayStation Certified device and the first specialized Android gaming phone. But now it turns out it won’t be getting ICS, though earlier it has been included in Sony’s list of smartphones that will be upgraded to this version of Google’s platform.

The update is pushed out region by region, so if you still have not received any notification, do not get upset and check it again later. Though there is no info on which markets are currently getting it, we’re sure the update will become available for all countries in the coming weeks.

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