Android 6.0 Marshmallow Release Date for HTC One M9 and M8 On Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile; HTC One A9 Release Date and Our Review of HTC One M9

Oct 22, 2015 05:25 PM EDT

Google has officially rolled out the next version of Android with version 6.0 (also known as Android M or Marshmallow).  Now it is all about what Android devices will receive the latest update next.  The Nexus 5X and 6P are definitely first in line, but what about smartphones from HTC, like the HTC One M9 and the One M8.  This is what is known about the Android M 6.0 Marshmallow Release Date HTC One M9 and M8 for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, as well as the new HTC One A9 and our review of the HTC One M9.

Android M 6.0 Marshmallow Release Date for the HTC One M9 and HTC One M8

According to Android Standard, HTC has recently rolled out the last version of Android with 5.1.1 to the One M9.  There are reports that the One M8 will update to Android 6.0 and just skip the Android 5.1.1 update.  By the way, HTC One M8 users should also be getting an update of HTC's personal Sense UI along with the Marshmallow update. 

It looks like both the M9 and M8 will be receiving the Marshmallow update by the end of this fall, which means that HTC users could be receiving their update by the end of this year, just in time for the holidays.  Hopefully, what will happen last year will not happen this year, as Lollipop (also known as Android L or version 5.0 of Android) was promised to HTC users of the M8, but it was delayed by a few days. 

A separate article from Android Standard reveals that HTC usually takes about 90 days to release updates to its flagships after Google releases them.  HTC may update the Google Play editions of the One M8 to Marshmallow as early as October, but carrier locked versions of the M8 might not receive it until December 2015 or January 2016 at the latest. 

The New HTC One A9

Of course, if you are looking for an HTC phone that already has its Android Marshmallow update, look no further than the recently announced HTC One A9.  This phone already has Marshmallow pre-installed, and will be launch in November at a to be determined price, according to V3.  The A9 has a 5 in FHD display, 13 Megapixel rear camera, 4 Megapixel front-facing camera, 2150 mAh battery, NFC support, and HTC Zoe, a shooting mode that captures snippets of video before and after taking a still. 

It seems odd that HTC would have the One A9, as the M9 will have Android 6.0 soon.  Also, it is getting pretty close to Mobile World Congress, and HTC will probably update to the One M10 or whatever they will call the next model soon. 

Review of the HTC One M9

As someone who has had a chance to try out the HTC One M9, I honestly can't wait to receive Marshmallow.  The first thing that I noticed about it is its attractive all-metal body.  Even though the HTC One M9 is made of cold metal rather than warm plastic, I like its curve. I don't know if it is ergonomic, but I like it.

One of the big selling points of the HTC One series is that it has two stereo speakers on the front of it, located very naturally on the top and bottom. Now, most people listen to their music through their headphones or stream it to Bluetooth or NFC speakers, but if you just want one device to play it, and you and others can hear it, this HTC One M9 is right for you at 5.1 surround.

Might as well take the time to talk about the camera now, it is a 20 Megapixel job, and it is good. Thanks to this camera, I didn't have to worry about using the flash, as it did it almost automatically. Then there are other things it can do like editing photos and videos. You can then use these photos to customize the phone for the wallpaper, icons, and a whole lot more.

I would say that on the whole, the HTC One M9 just feels comfortable, and part of it has to do with its version of Android. HTC puts their spin on Android known as Sense, and I don't know if that affects its current Android 5.1.