Xperia Buyers Beware! “Private Space” Support Varies by Carrier

What you need to know about “Private Space” compatibility across carriers

Android 15 just hit the ground running with this significant feature — Private Space. This feature enables users to establish a password-protected zone within the device, providing an extra layer of protection for sensitive applications and information. Note that not all Xperia by model supports this feature regardless of carrier.

Carrier-Specific Compatibility Issues

Recent findings indicate a disparity in the availability of the “Private Space” feature between SIM-free and carrier-specific versions of Xperia devices. Notably, the au/UQmobile and Softbank versions of Xperia models such as Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 5 V, and Xperia 10 V, updated to Android 15, lack support for “Private Space.” In contrast, the SIM-free and DOCOMO versions of these models support this feature.

Documentation and Firmware Insights

As you can see in the comparison between the manuals for Android 15, the manuals of SIM-free and DOCOMO have information about “Private Space”, but the au/UQmobile and Softbank versions do not have this feature in the manuals. This dissimilarity continues for the Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 5 V, and Xperia 10 V.

Future Projections for Xperia 10 VI

The Japanese version of Xperia 10 VI has not yet received the Android 15 update. However, based on the current trends observed in Xperia 10 V, it is highly likely that the upcoming updates for Xperia 10 VI will mirror the same pattern of feature availability—accessible in SIM-free and DOCOMO versions but absent in au and Softbank versions.

Why the Discrepancy?

Despite the uniformity in firmware numbers across all domestic versions of Xperia post-Android 15 update, the reasons behind the selective availability of “Private Space” remain unclear. This disparity is strange, considering that the core firmware contents should be the same.

Before You Buy

The “Private Space” feature is available on data until October 2023 for prospective buyers, being beneficial for users who want additional security and privacy. This means that if you are picking up an Xperia device that comes with the Android 15 update, you should also choose the carrier wisely to have all the features you want.

Looking Ahead: Future Xperia Models and Android Updates

Prospective buyers should also be aware that the availability of “Private Space” might continue to vary in future Xperia models and subsequent Android updates, including Android 16 slated for release in 2025.

Conclusion

If you plan to buy an Xperia device, check its features, like “Private Space”, carrier compatibility. Such awareness will enable you to make a better decision that guarantees you choose a system that checks all the boxes, especially privacy and security features.