Many manufacturers have been busy sending updates to the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop update that Google released in March and then again in April, and this week we finally got a few details about the upcoming HTC One M9 Android 5.1 Lollipop update.
The HTC One M9 was announced in March and then launched with Android 5.0 Lollipop in early April and has since received several maintenance updates aimed at fixing features, improving the camera and more, but that’s about it. While Samsung and LG are busy rolling out Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1, we haven’t heard from HTC yet.
As we have yet to hear from HTC about a potential HTC One M9 Android 5.1 update, the software itself has been leaked recently and has been made into a custom ROM that users can flash on their rooted smartphones, and below are a few details owners should know. .
A major software update came in the first week of the HTC One M9 release, followed by another update last month aimed at improving the camera and extending battery life. However, much more is coming with Android 5.1 Lollipop.
HTC One M9 Android 5.1 Version
With Motorola, Samsung and even LG rolling out Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop updates recently, we expect some news from HTC in the very near future. But the company has been pretty quiet about the update, what to expect, or when it might arrive.
There is no timeframe for the HTC One M9 (or One M8) Android 5.1 Lollipop update for now, but it should be here before the end of July at the latest. That’s just a guess, but HTC’s recent track record speaks for itself, and they’ve been ramping up the update rate over the past year or two.
All that said, HTC One M9 Android 5.1 update recently leaked to a developer, making a custom ROM with some changes, which gives credence to the idea that it is nearing the final stages and should be released in the next few weeks. We’ll update once we know more.
Android 5.1 Lollipop Features
Most likely Android 5.1 Lollipop will arrive simultaneously for both the new One M and the old HTC One M8, but the latest device may see the update first. Popular HTC developer LlabTooFer shared a few details about the update this morning and mentioned a few of the features owners can expect to see, but these are probably just a few of the many features that come with the software upgrade.
We expect most of the changes Google has made to Android 5.1 to be built-in. Things like improved notifications, a more informative notification drop-down bar, more useful quick settings and WiFi/bluetooth controls, battery life improvements, and a fix for the dreaded memory leak issue that was causing app crashes and restarts on all Lollipop devices.
However, the latest leak suggests that HTC has a few major software changes coming in update 5.1 when it’s ready. Some of these are multi-user support so owners can have multiple logins and users on each device, being able to adjust the color temperature of the phone screen like warm or cool (something we only see on TVs and computer monitors) battery and stability improvements as well as some minor user interface changes.
The leak indicates that Sense UI has received a few minor visual upgrades, a more intuitive and user-friendly set of audio controls, a revamped do not disturb mode for settings, and other minor changes. HTC Theme engine will also be more powerful and will have more themes for owners to choose from.
That’s all we know about the HTC One M9 or M8 Android 5.1 Lollipop update for now, but more details will soon begin to surface as it leaks online. HTC doesn’t want to lag behind other manufacturers releasing updates this week, so expect something to happen soon. We’ll see the international variant get the updates first, followed by US carriers shortly. We will update as soon as HTC or carriers start making announcements.
