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Android 4.2 & Android 4.3: Which HTC Phones Will Get Updates?

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While Android 4.2 Jelly Bean was announced last year, the update has been slow to roll out with many phones still lingering on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. And now that Google’s new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update has begun to roll out, things have gotten even more complicated for owners, particularly those who own an HTC smartphone.

In July of last year, Google announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, an update that ushered in the company’s Jelly Bean era of software updates, an era that has now extended beyond a year thanks to two big Jelly Bean updates.

Read: Android 4.2 & Android 4.3: Which Samsung Phones Will Get Updates?.

Last November, Google rolled out Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, an incremental but fantastic update that brought a number of new features to the table including lock screen widgets, a new quick settings function in the notification bar and more. The software update though has been slow to roll out to many devices, particularly those that were launched last year.

Things have become even more complicated for Android devices owners now that Google has unleashed Android 4.3 unto the world. Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is also an incremental update and it brings a few new features to users in an effort to hold them over ahead of the Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie release later on this year.

Unfortunately, despite the arrival of Android 4.3, companies like HTC remain mum about Android updates. While companies were once forthcoming about major Android updates, those days are now gone. Companies like HTC now release very little in regards to their plans for Android updates, leaving customers looking for information.

Needless to say, the whereabouts of Android 4.2 and Android 4.3 are important to HTC device owners. Particularly Android 4.2 as it promises to bring the new Sense 5 to HTC’s older phones.

HTC has released minimal information in regards to Android 4.2, Sense 5 and Android 4.3 but thanks to rumors, history and HTC itself, we’ve done our best to piece together information for HTC smartphone owners.

So which HTC phones will get updates? Let’s take a look.

HTC One

Check out these essential, but hidden, HTC One features.

The HTC One is waiting for Android 4.3

The HTC One brought the new Sense 5 along with it, but for whatever reason, HTC did not launch it with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on board. Instead, the device toiled on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for months before HTC pushed out Android 4.2 Jelly Bean to owners. As of right now, the update is flowing out globally though it still hasn’t hit carriers in the United States.

Those who own an HTC One on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile will get Android 4.2 and the upcoming Verizon HTC One is expected to debut with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on board.

HTC isn’t talking about Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates just yet but it’s clear that the device, the company’s flagship for 2013, will get Android 4.3 in the future. For one, we saw the HTC One Google Edition upgraded with Android 4.3. Not necessarily a guarantee that the other device will get it, but a sign.

The HTC One is a flagship device which means it will get flagship treatment, That means that HTC will work hard to make sure its heavily adopted phone gets great support. So Android 4.3 is pretty much a given.

It also helps that an insider believes that the HTC One Android 4.3 update will roll out fairly soon. We don’t know how soon yet but Android 4.3 isn’t a massive update so it could certainly roll out sooner than expected.

HTC One mini

The HTC One mini, unlike the HTC One, will arrive with Android 4.2 on board. It will also come with the new Sense 5 right out of the box. The HTC One mini still isn’t on shelves in the United States though rumors suggest it will be heading to AT&T in the near future and both of those should be on board.

This is a new device and while it may not be as adopted as the HTC One, it will still get upgrades and for that reason alone, the HTC One mini will get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. It’s just hard to say when the update might emerge.

HTC One X+

Yesterday, HTC One X+ owners got some great news. The HTC One X+ Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update started hitting users in Taiwan. HTC, which is based in Taiwan, typically rolls out updates to owners in that region first, before shuttling software out to other regions around the world. This means that users should be getting the update soon. AT&T owners should see the update as well, though it could take some time.

The HTC One X+ Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update is out.

The HTC One X+ Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update is out.

The HTC One X+ isn’t an old device, it arrived after the HTC One X in late 2012, and so it’s hard to imagine that HTC will skip Android 4.3. Unfortunately, the wrong people are skeptical about the prospects.

@LlabTooFeR claims that the HTC One X+ may get left on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. He’s not certain, but owners will want to start tempering expectations now as he has a very good track record when it comes to HTC software. We aren’t shutting the door on an update yet, but there is definitely a chance that it could be left behind.

HTC One X

HTC One X owners are anxious about their Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Sense 5 update and for good reason. The HTC Butterfly and HTC One X+ both got their updates and the HTC One S update was cancelled, seemingly for performance reasons. So it’s no wonder they’re on edge and looking for information.

Read: HTC One X Android 4.2 & Sense 5 Update: 3 Reasons It’s Close.

SFR thinks it will roll out the HTC One X Android 4.2 update in late August.

SFR thinks it will roll out the HTC One X Android 4.2 update in late August.

HTC hasn’t supplied any as of yet but from the looks of things, the HTC One X Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update is extremely close. French carrier SFR believes it will roll out in late August and predictions suggest that it will emerge in one to two weeks. At the very least, it’s clear that the HTC One X will get an update in the future.

Android 4.3 is a little less clear. There have been rumors, and some speculation, that the HTC One X could stay on Android 4.2. That hasn’t been confirmed but it’s a distinct possibility given the device’s age.

HTC One XL

The HTC One XL wasn’t among the devices that were confirmed to be getting Sense 5 but it looks like the device will indeed be getting the update, along with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, sometime soon.

French carrier SFR also suggests that it will be updating the One XL to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Sense 5 in September which could mean that we see a roll out for the unbranded devices in late August, early September or late September. It’s clear that HTC is hard at work on this update so it’s a given.

Android 4.3 is not a given due to the device’s age and the lack of rumors. It’s entirely possible that it will get Android 4.3 at some point but again, HTC has killed support after 18 months and the One XL isn’t as big of a name as the HTC One X or HTC One. So it’s not certain if the company will put resources into another update.

HTC One S

All along, rumors suggested that the HTC One S Android 4.2 with Sense 5 update was doubtful. Then, the bad news. HTC cancelled the HTC One S Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Sense 5 update for the One S, even after it promised Sense 5 update to One S owners.

Read: HTC One S Android 4.2 & Sense 5 Update Might Roll Out After All.

The HTC One S Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update may be on track.

The HTC One S Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update may be on track.

While it seemed dead in the water, rumors have suggested that HTC is reconsidering, at least for the Snapdragon S4 equipped model. We haven’t seen anything new develop in regards to the update but at this point, it’s safe to assume that it’s in limbo. We’re confident that HTC is at least trying to work out the issues it was having with the update but at this point, Android 4.2 is not guaranteed.

What is guaranteed is a lack of Android 4.3. If Android 4.2 is on the fence, then Android 4.3 is out of the question. Do not expect it.

HTC One SV

HTC One SV owners are likely on edge due to the HTC One S cancellation. However, from the looks of things, HTC One SV owners don’t have much to worry about. @LLabTooFeR continues to suggest that the device will be getting Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with the new Sense 5. HTC hasn’t confirmed this but his information is typically solid when it comes to software updates.

We don’t expect the update to roll out soon, we’d expect the HTC One X update to roll out first, but we do expect it sometime in the next few months as HTC deploys its Android 4.2 upgrades across its 2012 smartphones.

Android 4.3 is another story. This is a mid-range phone remember and HTC is a company in turmoil. Engineering updates takes resources and there is no guarantee that HTC will find the One XL worth enough. We wouldn’t be surprised if it stayed on Android 4.2 with Sense 5.

HTC One V

The HTC One V, HTC’s mid-range One series smartphone from 2012, is stuck on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. HTC says that it will not get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean which means Android 4.2 and Android 4.3 are not coming.

HTC Butterfly

Earlier this year, HTC pushed out Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Sense 5 for the HTC Butterfly, the international name for the Droid DNA. The Butterfly arrived at the tail end of 2012 meaning it’s relatively new which means that it has a good chance of receiving Android 4.3 Jelly Bean at some point down the line.

There are no rumors circulating yet, but given that it’s one of the only HTC devices on Android 4.2, and given that it arrived only a short time ago, users should see Android 4.3 at some point in the future. Just don’t expect it any time soon.

Droid DNA

The Droid DNA is all but confirmed to be getting Android 4.2 and Sense 5. For one, the HTC Butterfly received the upgrade to both of these pieces of software and we’ve heard that the update is being tested by Verizon ahead of its release. So even though Verizon won’t confirm the good news to Droid DNA owners, it’s pretty clear that the update is coming at some point. And possibly, some point soon. Remember, the HTC Butterfly update rolled out several weeks ago.

The Droid DNA Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update is said to be in testing.

The Droid DNA Android 4.2 and Sense 5 update is said to be in testing.

As for Android 4.3, like many of these devices, it’s tough to say. HTC typically updates devices for 18 months before leaving them for dead. The Droid DNA hasn’t been out for a year, its birthday is in November, so there is a distinct possibility that it could get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean at some point next year.

Owners need to temper expectations though as the device is available on Verizon, a carrier that is notorious for unexplained delays and lengthy testing ahead of release. If Android 4.3 is coming, it’s probably not coming any time soon.

HTC EVO 4G LTE

The HTC EVO 4G LTE was Sprint’s hottest phone of the summer in 2012 and represented the carrier’s version of the popular HTC One X which only arrived on AT&T’s network. The device, which remains on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4, is rumored to be getting an upgrade to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Sense 5.

Sprint and HTC haven’t confirmed that but it appears likely given that the device is only a year old and is a device that was heavily adopted by Sprint customers. So Android 4.2 should be in the cards.

As for Android 4.3, it’s impossible to say at this point. Popular devices tend to get support for longer than others but given that we’ve seen HTC kill support after 18 months, it’s possible that the company could leave the device on Android 4.2 and Sense 5.

Droid Incredible 4G LTE

It’s safe to say that the Droid Incredible 4G LTE wasn’t adopted by tons of users. It had its perks, but its launch was sandwiched in between a number of different devices including the Droid DNA, something that didn’t let it have a chance to thrive.

This matters because carriers and manufacturers typically put their focus into well-adopted devices when it comes to software updates, devices like the HTC One X and the HTC One.

Droid Incredible 4G LTE back

The Droid Incredible 4G LTE should get Android 4.2 and Sense 5.

We’ve heard that the Droid Incredible 4G LTE will be getting Android 4.2 and Sense 5 though that hasn’t been confirmed by HTC or Verizon. Given that it’s a fairly new device with good internals, we expect it to arrive sometime this year but it’s impossible, at this point, to say when.

Given that it wasn’t a popular phone, it’s hard to see Verizon spending the resources to get it updated to Android 4.3 but at the very least, owners should know that Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Sense 5 is likely.

17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. pmiddy

    08/09/2013 at 10:40 am

    I’ve had a Droid Incredible LTE for a year now. Zero updates and I can’t even find a replacement screen anywhere. You think they’re going to update it to 4.2?? Hilarious.

  2. Timmah Brennan

    08/09/2013 at 11:43 am

    Htc sucks with updates. I learned that lesson with the thunderbolt.

  3. Rex_D

    08/09/2013 at 1:37 pm

    Adam Mills sucks with updates. I wonder if there is a way to block all articles by him from showing up in Google new searches

    • Mike Anderson

      08/15/2013 at 10:53 am

      Search for: htc android 4.2.2 update -Adam Mills

  4. Lara

    08/10/2013 at 1:58 am

    before I looked at the check for $6599, I didnt believe …that…my neighbours mother was like realey earning money parttime at there labtop.. there sisters roommate had bean doing this for under nine months and resantly paid the loans on their home and purchased a new Infiniti. we looked here……… https://goo.gg/Hb

  5. mroliverkc (@mroliverkc)

    08/10/2013 at 3:55 am

    HTC one x+ updated before my HTC one. That is not a good look at all for HTC

    • Andres Galvan

      08/11/2013 at 10:09 am

      The One was updated at the beginning of the month. The One X+ was updated a few days ago…
      Carrier variants are a mess with updates. The One X Intl variant was updated to 4.1 in October, for example. AT&T updated their own variant in April. Now that the One X+, Butterfly(Droid DNA), and One updates are out internationally, it’s the carriers’ faults for any further delays. HTC has literally done all they can at this point as far as branded devices go.

  6. Robert Banu

    08/14/2013 at 3:47 am

    HTC is not that bad at updates after all.
    Droid DNA and one x+ have revived their 4.2 updates while s3 and note are still on 4.1.

  7. Dylan

    08/14/2013 at 9:38 am

    If the One X doesn’t get 4.3, I will be leaving HTC permanently. I, myself, own an HTC One S and was extremely cheesed off with the news of no Android 4.2 update. Now that it may be coming, I’d expect them to continue updating the damn thing. The S4 model is not outdated by any means, so if the One XL gets it, the One S should too. In regards to the S3 One S, it’s sad but Qualcomm is to blame here.

  8. scott s

    08/17/2013 at 8:46 am

    not going to matter. done with HTC. won’t have another phone the battery does not come out of. going to Samsung

  9. and

    08/19/2013 at 3:01 pm

    So you say that the one x is an old device so s3 is an old device too but they were released in the same month. But then s3 has confirmed 4.3 and the one x is too old? Dont understand your logic

  10. ashish

    08/26/2013 at 8:57 pm

    can i update my htc one v on 4.2android

  11. Alana

    08/30/2013 at 1:28 pm

    Thats not fair to leave HTC 1 s out!!

  12. Jack

    09/04/2013 at 1:31 pm

    I’ve been a loyal HTC user for several years now but this slow to update nonsense has soured me for good. I bought the LTE (One X equivalent) because it was going to be a flagship (2 years after my flagship EVO 4G). My wife went the Galaxy S3 route around the same time. She has had 4.2 for something like 8 months now and Samsung has announced 4.3 in October. Me? Same specs, same release date, and still on 4.1 and will most likely NEVER get 4.3. Goodbye HTC for good.

  13. Jim Vanek

    10/02/2013 at 6:53 pm

    I loved my htc’s but they just don’t update their devices. 1 or 2 years old and they scrap OS updates. This is it for me. I’m going with another brand.

  14. Jim Vanek

    10/02/2013 at 6:56 pm

    HTC lets down their customers. I paid to much money and I’m not going to use

  15. John

    10/22/2013 at 5:08 am

    Butterfly should be one of the first to get 4.3 …. not a good chance to get it…

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