As the expected official announcement of Android 6.0 Marshmallow draws closer, an intriguing new leak has surfaced online suggesting that a handful of HTC smartphones will soon receive the new Android flavor. The Taiwan-based tech company has so far confirmed the said OS for its recent models, the HTC One M9, One M9+, and One M8.
A known developer and creator of the custom ROM called "Maximus HD" posted an alleged list of HTC models eligible to receive the upcoming Android 6.0 OS. Using his Twitter handle "@LlabTooFeR," he shared a tweet mentioning the following handsets that are set to get the latest Android version.
- HTC One M9
- HTC One M9+
- HTC One ME
- HTC One M8
- HTC One M8s
- HTC One M8 EYE
- HTC One E9
- HTC One E9+
- HTC One E8
- HTC Butterfly 2
- HTC Butterfly 3
- HTC Desire EYE
- HTC Desire 816
- HTC Desire 820
- HTC Desire 826
It is important to note that the device maker has not yet disclosed an official statement on when it will roll out the said OS, or which models will be included in its distribution list. However, @LlabTooFeR's revelation indicates that he has stumbled upon some information related to HTC's plans. The company typically deliver new Android versions to its high-end devices within a quarter following Google's official release, and it appears that it will be no different this year.
Nevertheless, the developer did mention that the list he has given is only "preliminary" and could change during the OS' development process. "Note that list is preliminary, some devices with lack of internal storage like Desire 816 may not receive Android M update," he said in a follow-up tweet.
The HTC Desire 820 also needs to be mentioned in this context; although it is included in the leaked Android M waiting list, it has yet to be seeded with the current Android Lollipop update. Furthermore, there is a chance that the Taiwanese manufacturer will add more models to the list over time as it explores the feasibility of updating older handsets.
Another interesting part of this leaked information is the inclusion of HTC's Sense 7 user interface (UI) to the upcoming firmware upgrade. The Sense 7 is the company's proprietary UI placed on top of the stock Android OS. Upon installation on HTC devices, it is expected to bring interface improvements such as more notification icons, quick settings shortcuts, and a new flashlight feature, among others.
