Sony Xperia Z1 : How to flash new firmware update Version 14.1.G.2.257

The new firmware for my Sony Xperia Z1 (C6903) mobile phone was released 2 days ago. Unfortunately in Australia, even though the new update is listed on the website as

Android version: Google Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
Latest available software: 14.1.G.2.257
Release started: 2013-10-15

If you try to update your phone, it will just say you have the latest update.

Anyhow I would just like to show you guys how to flash the new C6903 14.1.G.2.257 firmware to your phone. To get root on this firmware, refer to my other post here. Good thing is there are improvements mainly for the camera/video software and screen color/brightness. These seem to be the biggest problem areas in the previous firmware, causing lousy noisy pictures and a yellow tint on some user's screens.

Well just follow these complex steps and you will soon have the latest firmware this October on your Shiny New Sony Xperia Z1 smart phone!

Step 1 : Download and install FLASHTOOL from here

Step 2 : Download the Firmware FTF file 14.1.G.2.257 here (800+MB). Then copy it into the C:\Flashtool\firmwares folder (if you had use the default installation settings for FLASHTOOL)

**N.B** You can also download the C6903 14.1.G.1.534 firmware from XDA-developers forum Mega FTF Collection here. Join the forum if you are unable to access the links. Get the Singapore or UK ones which have OTA updates already. Let me know if you successfully OTA any other versions.

Step 3 : Startup flashtool. Make sure USB debugging is turned on before proceeding.
[On Android 4.2 and higher, the Developer options screen is hidden by default. To make it available, go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times. Return to the previous screen to find {Developer options} Tap on this and make sure that the 'Enable Debugging over USB' is ticked. Also goto setting->xperia connectivity->usb connectivity->usb connection mode-> make it msc mode. also setting->security->check unknown sources.]

Step 4 : Shutdown your phone then press the volume down key and connect the USB cable. You should see flashtool detect the phone in "flash mode"

Step 5 : Click the lightning icon in flashtool and you will get a pop-up with 2 options, select the first one "flashmode". In the left column select the 14.1.G.2.257 firmware then just click flash button on the bottom right. Flashing takes a few minutes only.

Step 6 : When its done the message log will say something like connected in flashmode again. Once you see nothing more happening in the message log, you can disconnect the USB from your computer and reboot the phone manually with the power button.

Things to note :

1) Make sure you have sufficient battery before flashing, 30%+ should be enough.

2) If you wanna keep all your settings and date, just deselect the ticks for appslog, cache and data in the screen where you select the firmware.. I did this and phone works beautifully as before the flash.

If you did it all ok, You should get something like this under settings -> About phone..

 
so did you flash your phone successfully? let me know in the comments section below.