HTC has promised to deliver Android updates to its newest flagship phone — if it’s unlocked — within about two weeks of when Google’s own Nexus phones receive the software. In a live stream this morning dedicated to the new One A9, HTC America president Jason Mackenzie confirmed the update cycle for the device, which is the first Android smartphone shipping with Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
HTC says unlocked One A9s will receive Android updates ‘within 15 days’ of Nexus line
is a Senior Producer on Decoder. Previously, he reported on the technology and gaming industries for more than a decade.
“This One A9 unlocked edition will provide you with every Android software update within 15 days of when Google first pushes to their Nexus line,” Mackenzie said. The unlocked edition goes on sale in November for $399.99. However, you’ll be bogged down by a cellular carrier’s update roadblocks if you buy the phone from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon in the US. HTC says carriers will announce pricing and availability soon.
HTC has been more aggressive for carrier phones, too
But there is hope even for carrier buyers. Starting in 2013, HTC became more aggressive about delivering Android updates, especially jumps like Jelly Bean to KitKat and onward to Lollipop. It pledged to update its carrier-locked handsets within 90 days of receiving the final software build from Google, and much sooner for Google Play edition phones. The pledge appears to have persisted, though it’s unclear how long HTC will support this update window and whether it will translate to other unlocked handsets that receive Android 6.0 updates.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
