HTC Android 9 Pie Update Device list and Release Date

HTC had a not so great 2017 as more than half of its engineers were bought by Google for 1.5 Billion dollars. However, the Taiwanese giant stilled claimed that it will continue to operate the similar way like before and will also focus on the AR side of things as well. The company even participated in Google’s Android One program and launched the mid-range Android One HTC U11 Life.

The recently launched HTC U12 Series and HTC Desire 12 series devices will get the Android Pie update for sure.

However, the company is not anymore known for updates that it used to provide in the A9 days. However, the company did update it’s new flagship to Android Oreo 8.0. The company has also largely toned down on its Sense UI keeping most part to stock, and also fewer duplicate apps are now present, which should help in getting the upgrade to Android Pie as fast as possible.

Speaking about Android P 9.0 let’s take a look at what devices from HTC’s arsenal are upgrading to the latest flavor of Android as well as some fresh highlights of Android Pie 9.0.

Android Pie 9.0 Features

Android P 9.0 features
Image shows new Easter Egg on Android P 9.0

1) Dark Mode for AMOLED screens

2) New updates to the Messaging and Notifications

3) Notch Support or Cut-out support is now available

4) Performance enhancements for Kotlin based apps

5) Enhanced Auto-fill with machine learning

6) Strict permissions for apps as well as apps that are idle

7) Support for Multiple Camera API (Dual, triple camera support now available)

8) The Screen Shot capability now available in the Power-Off menu and New icons for the Settings menu

9) New HEIF Image compression and improved Video Codecs for HDR VP9 Video profile 2

10) Neural network API implementation is now also supported for AI assistants and apps that use machine learning

List of HTC devices to get Android P 9.0 Update

HTC U11 Plus Android P 9.0 update
Image showcasing the HTC U11 PLUS Image courtesy: TechnoBuffalo
  • HTC U11 Plus
  • HTC U11
  • HTC U11 Life (Android One)
  • HTC U Ultra
  • HTC U12
  • HTC U12 Life
  • HTC U12 Plus
  • HTC Desire 12
  • HTC Desire 12 Plus
  • HTC U11 Eyes

These are the latest flagships which yet have 1 year or so remaining to complete their standard 2-year update cycle and hence are eligible for the Android Pie 9.0 update. However, HTC is decently quick enough when it comes to updates for its flagship phones, even though the company is the among the last ones to announce update details about the new Android OS from Google.

HTC U12, U12 Life and U12 Plus Android Pie Update

HTC’s latest flagship smartphone series the U12 line of smartphones will be the first HTC devices to get the Android ( Pie update. The devices will be getting the update in Q4 2018.

HTC U11, U11 Plus Android Pie 9.0 update

HTC U11 Android P 9.0 Update
Image of the HTC U11 device, Image courtesy: phonearena .com

Speaking about the New OS, that’s Android Pie 9.0; it won’t show up on your HTC U11 Plus, or on HTC U11 until Q4 2018.

HTC U Ultra Android Pie 9.0 Update

HTC U Ultra Android P 9.0 update
Image shows the HTC U Ultra in different shades, Image Courtesy: gsmarena.com

The HTC U Ultra is another high-end phone from U series line-up. However, it doesn’t have the same flagship status similar to the HTC U11/U11 Plus. So, the Android Pie 9.0 for the U Ultra shall arrive in late Q4 2018 or the best HTC can do for the U Ultra is provide it by the end of Q1 2019. However, even though the device is eligible as per the standard 2-year cycle claims, it still all comes down to the final word from HTC whether they want to update this device or not. So, don’t get your hopes too high.

HTC U Life Android One

HTC U Life Android P 9.0 update
Image shows the HTC U Life Android One device, Image Courtesy: gsmarena. com

This device belongs to the Android One family, which offers stock Android experience and with that said, the HTC U Life will get the Android Pie 9.0 as well as whatever comes after that. Currently, the Moto X4 which is also an Android One device in the similar segment as the HTC U Life. That device is receiving the Android 8.1 update. Thus, the HTC U Life will follow the same path and will be among the first HTC device to be upgraded with the latest flavor of Android 9.0.

HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12 Plus Android Pie Update

The latest HTC desire 12 series were announced in the month of March earlier this year, the Desire 12 series devices comes with somewhat low-end specifications but were launched with Android Oreo 8.0 out of the box. Both the Desire 12 and the Desire 12 Plus smartphones will be getting the Android Pie 9.0 Update but we won’t be surprised if the update is delayed.

These devices will not be the first choice for the update when the company starts rolling out the Android 9 update. For these two devices, we can expect an update around Q2 2019.

A very few HTC devices will be getting the Android Pie update, and there are a lot of popular HTC devices which will be missing out on the Google’s biggest update yet. You’ll be surprised to find a few names in the list below.

List of HTC devices not getting the Android Pie 9.0 update

Image shows the HTC Bolt from Sprint, Image Courtesy: androidcentral .com
  • HTC U Play
  • HTC Bolt (Sprint Exclusive phone)
  • HTC 10
  • HTC 10 Evo
  • HTC 10 Lifestyle
  • HTC Desire 10 Pro
  • HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle
  • HTC Desire 628
  • HTC Desire 830
  • HTC Desire 828
  • HTC Desire 825
  • HTC Desire 728
  • HTC Desire 630
  • HTC Desire 530
  • HTC Desire 625
  • HTC One X9
  • HTC One M9s
  • HTC One E9s
  • HTC A9
  • HTC Butterfly 3
  • HTC Desire 626
  • HTC Desire 520
  • HTC Desire 526
  • HTC Desire 626s
  • HTC One S9
  • HTC Desire 10 Compact
  • HTC One X10

Hence, all the phones belonging to the HTC Desire line-up are not eligible for Android Pie, and none of them are even getting the Android Oreo 8.0 update either. Even the high-end HTC Bolt has not seen Android Oreo yet, and will most likely also miss the Android Pie 9.0 update as well.

HTC is not well known in the budget market and neither in the upper-mid range segment also. And on top of that most of its workforce is now on either Google or working on the HTC Vive VR side of things.

I am the chief editor of TheLeaker. I also maintain the backend stuff of the site. I’m a tech enthusiast and loves to do Python coding in my free time. I have worked at many giant publications like XDA Developers and NXTtech before starting TheLeaker.
You can get in touch with me at Garv[at]theleaker.com.

11 thoughts on “HTC Android 9 Pie Update Device list and Release Date”

  1. I’m an HTC fan myself, and on my way out. This most recent pie update is taking forever. Currently have the HTC u12 plus, the most recent flagship device, and still no update, now March-2019. They used to be quick with updates. Project treble was suppose to make things even easier and quicker, guess that didn’t work. The only thing wrong with this phone is the stupid button idea, and the most recent, slow update of the operating system.

    As far as device age goes, no one, not even Google themselves provide system updates on phones 2yrs and older. HTC 10 is OLD in terms of technology. While it is one of my personal favorites from HTC, and in my opinion, their best phone ever, it’s technology is old.

    Reply
  2. Who can help with this? Who decides which HTC phone gets the latest update, is it Google or is it HTC. If you know, please let us all know. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. It’s very dissapointing from HTC. HTC10 hardware have that requested levels for Android 9.0 but HTC software developing is not working as they should.
    Seems that HTC10 will be my last phone from HTC. Other manufacturers is giving updates longer and faster.
    HTC 10 has huge battery problems on Android 8.0 but HTC is not doing anything to fix that with update. Maybe we are not getting even 8.1 version.
    Bad company for device support.

    Reply
  4. This perfectly sums up the problems with the current smartphones. You have a phone, could cost anything between £600 and £800, 2 years old and the HTC 10, not getting Android 9, absolute disgrace, could it be that they just want to keep you purchasing a new phone every 2 years? Of course it is, buy a laptop with Windows 10 installed for the same or less money, get regular updates for years to come, there’s the difference. So, don’t be blaming us when smartphone sales keep falling, as they do.

    Reply
    • Exactly why I’ll never purchase another HTC phone. My HTC 10 is just over two years old, cost over £600 and no more Google updates, they’re a disgrace, I’m waiting to see the Pixel 3, the LG V40 and the Samsung S10 in February, HTC doesn’t come into it.

      Reply
      • Sorry to say but HTC 10 is almost 2.5 years old device, and I don’t think any company except Apple gives major updates to that old device. However, if you want to get updates for more than two years then Google Pixel is the only option available right now (Not promised but most probably will get two major updates).

        Reply
  5. How the heck is HTC not doing well because of that?! My HTC 10 from 2 years ago has Android Oreo. That’s already enough. My friend’s Galaxy S7 from released in the same year is still on nougat. HTC

    Reply

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