Earlier this year, Sony's Xperia U was updated from Android 2.3 Gingerbread to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and now per reports, another software upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is on the cards for the device.

Per reports, a Sony insider has let on that the Xperia U is slated to get the Jelly Bean update in December along with three other devices: Xperia Go, Xperia Sola, and Xperia P.

"We got insider information from our sources in Sony Mobile Communications that the Sony Xperia Sola and Xperia U will get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update despite Sony's blog post from yesterday where there was no mention of them. We tell you more on the update schedule," reported Tech Enclave.

Additionally, Sony Mobile Italy's official Facebook page has also received inquiries from users who are awaiting the Jelly Bean update. The company responded to the queries and confirmed that an update from ICS to Jelly Bean was in the anvil, but did not disclose a specific release date or timeframe.

"Hi Sony mobile es, was arranged the release plan of jelly bean for Xperia u? Will it ever be released? (the second question please could you answer with a Yes or a no dry?) Thank you (translated)," asked a user on the Facebook page of Sony Italy.

"Sony is preparing a plan to release updates to Jelly Bean Ice Cream Sandwich for Xperia U, so the answer to the second question is yes (translated)," responded Sony Mobile IT.

Another user asked Sony if they already had an official date for the Xperia U to which the company responded "Sony is preparing a plan to release updates to Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean. We have no further information to release, we'll keep you updated as soon as we have some news (translated)."

Interestingly, the Xperia U was notably absent from the official Sony list of Xperia devices (revealed in October) that were to receive the Jelly Bean upgrade. With the news that Xperia U will receive the Jelly Bean update soon it seems Sony has had a rethink.