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HTC Android 9 Pie Update Details

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Here’s what you need to know about HTC Android Pie updates for those that are still waiting. Google released Android 9 Pie way back in August of 2018, and here almost a year and a half later, several HTC phones still don’t have it but are getting it right before years end.

If you’re wondering, “Will my HTC phone get Android 9” here’s what we know. And don’t even get me started on Android 10, which is even further away.

Sadly HTC is still staying mostly silent about software updates. Last year the company confirmed at least three devices would get the new update, but it’s now December of 2019 and we’ve only seen a few arrive. Google’s old Android 9 update is loaded with new features, smart controls, and more. Unfortunately, most are still waiting to get or try those features, even as most phones are now getting Android 10.

We know at least four HTC phones will get a slice of Pie eventually, and the first update arrived at the end of November. Then, popular smartphones from all major manufacturers will get a free update to Android 9 Pie sometime here in 2019, eventually, maybe, hopefully. The image above promised June updates, but that was only for Taiwan models, and not those in the US or elsewhere.

Will My HTC Phone Get Android 9 Pie?

HTC is still staying relatively quiet although they shared some information in March and then finally revealed when the latest phone will get Pie. Simply posting to Twitter confirming the delays and that they’re still working on Pie. And last year they confirmed the HTC U11 Life and U12+ will get Android 9 Pie first, and a few others will follow.

While they haven’t released a full list of supported devices, we do have a good idea of what phones will get it first. We’re hoping these aren’t the only phones that will get it.

  • HTC U12+ (Starting in June) (Hit US models on August 21st, 2019)
  • HTC U11 (Rolling out(Finally available in the US as of December 16th, 2019)
  • HTC U11+ (Late June in some regions) (the US still waiting)
  • HTC U11 Life (Android One) (Available Nov 29th)

As you can see above, HTC confirmed the update for four smartphones. However, they have a ton of other phones we think should get the update. We believe they’ll add more phones to this list at some point. If you don’t get Android 9 will you be upset? Let us know what phone you have and what you think in the comment section below.

Typically devices get updates for around 2 years from the day it’s released. Not to mention Google requires 18 months of support from manufacturers.

HTC Android 9 Update Release Dates

Your next question is like regarding when the update is coming, followed by what to expect or what’s new. Sadly, we don’t have any new info about when you’ll actually get Android Pie for most of these phones.

Basically, whenever they get around to it. That post is from August 10th. Now, over nine months later as the Android Q update nears, HTC just posted again on Twitter, basically saying they’re still “ensuring the update is compatible with HTC phones”. That is a sad response and one that has owners frustrated.

In previous years HTC promised updates within 90 days, or before the end of the year, and delivered on those promises. And when Google bought the hardware division we thought that would help updates come quicker. Instead, they’re taking even longer. They went from delivering updates within 90 days, to taking almost 11-12 months here in 2018-19.

HTC’s latest and greatest HTC U12+ from 2018 that was meant to compete with the Galaxy S9 and iPhone Xs didn’t get Pie until late June. The flagship HTC U11 from the year before is just getting it as of December 2019, a year and a half late, the same day Samsung is delivering Android 10 to the Galaxy S10. Yes, HTC is extremely behind and doesn’t seem to care. The wait times are even longer for U.S. models, which at this point we don’t recommend you buy.

No software update should take a year and a half to arrive, HTC, none.

HTC Android 10 Betas & Update

There’s a small chance we’ll see some Android 10 beta programs from HTC, but that too is unknown. We’ve seen betas from them in the past, but not very many, and we didn’t see any public betas for Android 9 Pie. At least be happy several phones are still getting Android Pie, and we’ll revisit Android 10 sometime in 2020.

What’s New in Android 9 Pie

There are lots of new Android 9.0 features that you can use to do more with your phone and tablet. Users will enjoy bundled and smarter notifications, auto-fill improvements, and tons of “smart” features throughout. Not to mention new gesture navigation controls, digital wellbeing options, Google Assistant improvements, themes, and support for the notch. That’s on top of the usual performance and battery life changes.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything that’s new. Then, we’ve also compared it to Android 8 Oreo for those interested.

Additionally, we expect HTC will add some exciting new features of their own on top of Android 9. Whether that’s improving current options, or making them better with the help of Pie. Then, expect any and all HTC OS update to have a few improvements, bug fixes, and more on top of everything else detailed above.

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Right now, almost every new HTC phone from the last few years is running Android 8.0 Oreo or Android 9 Pie. They only have a few phones on the market, and most of them are eligible to receive Pie. The thing, though, is that Google already released the Android 10 update back in August. We’ve been enjoying the Android 10 beta on devices like the Galaxy S10 since October, which HTC phones are still waiting for Pie.

Either way, the only thing we can confirm so far is that HTC still plans on updating more of its phones to Android 9 Pie. That all started with the HTC U11 Life, which is part of the Android One program which ensures timely updates for beta devices. The regular HTC U11, U12, and U12+ got it in Taiwan, then eventually other regions, and some that got canceled in the US, but its slowly making its way down the list.

If we had to guess, the four HTC phones mentioned at the top of this post will all get Android 9 Pie updates, even in the US, within the next 1-3 months, but don’t be surprised if we see another delay.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Bernie Carey

    12/28/2018 at 10:44 am

    Just bought an HTC U12 life from HTC…is there any word of this phone receiving the Android Pie update and if not, why the U11 life?

  2. Badan

    05/05/2019 at 2:06 am

    My next smartphone will not be a HTC because of this update issue.

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