On again, off again: HTC Desire HD is not getting the Android 4.0 update

posted by Alan F. / Jul 20, 2012, 9:50 PM

On again, off again: HTC Desire HD is not getting the Android 4.0 update

No Ice Cream Sandwich for you!

Almost a week ago, we told you about a leaked document from Canadian carrier TELUS that listed the phones on its lineup that will be receiving the Android 4.0 update. Surprisingly, the HTC Desire HD was not included and the document mentioned that the device showed poor performance with the higher OS build. Earlier this week, that decision was reversed and HTC confirmed that the HTC Desire HD was on track to receive the update But this was not the end of the story.

Apologizing for the confusion it had caused its customers (to say nothing of the confusion it caused us), HTC on Friday said that after testing Android 4.0 on the HTC Desire HD, it has decided that the current software offers the best experience possible for the hardware. HTC reminded all of its customers that it has the customer experience uppermost on its mind, and Android 4.0 on the HTC Desire HD just did not cut it. So the one time flagship model is stuck on Gingerbread.

"After extensive testing, HTC has determined that the current version of HTC Sense with Android provides customers with the best experience on the HTC Desire HD. When we consider new versions of software, we weigh a number of factors, but ultimately the customer experience on the product is the deciding factor. We apologize for any confusion this change may have caused our customers."-HTC

It certainly sounds final this time, but considering how this story has played out, who knows?

source: AndroidCentral

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24 Comments

1. WinC76 unregistered

I kinda disagree with HTC, if the Incredible S can get it (which almost has the exact same specs) can get it, why can't the Desire HD? If HTC Sense is such a resource hog, why not find ways to reduce Sense in some areas? Or better yet, why not give it Sense 4 which seems more minmal? Since the Desire C can handle it, I reckon they should.

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 10:00 PM 5

12. iWorld

Posts: 85; Member since: Jul 05, 2012

Where is that guy who had commented in the last article "Reason for buying HTC smartphone" when it was announced that HTC Desire will get a taste of ICS

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 6:39 AM 0

19. Jimstar

Posts: 259; Member since: Oct 24, 2011

who knows if it still will? they might not have tested it yet and they'll end up deciding it too doesn't work well with ICS.

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 1:19 PM 0

2. VJo003

Posts: 365; Member since: Mar 11, 2012

That's for making DHD users like me feel like a ping pong I will think a 100 time before buying ur product in future.

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 10:16 PM 5

3. darkskoliro

Posts: 1092; Member since: May 07, 2012

i kinda doubt you even have a dhd

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 10:31 PM 0

6. VJo003

Posts: 365; Member since: Mar 11, 2012

I do buddy... Unfortunately I might add

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 11:50 PM 3

4. buggerrer

Posts: 306; Member since: Sep 21, 2011

for me .. I was HTC customer for years. then switched to Samsung seriously .. Samsung doing a way better job than HTC!

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 10:37 PM 3

5. Tatperson

Posts: 58; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

Reminds me of the HTC Desire Gingerbread upgrade.

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 10:53 PM 3

7. MeoCao unregistered

I guess HTC is concentrating on upgrading 1X, 1S to JB. That is where money is.

posted on Jul 20, 2012, 11:56 PM 5

8. kanagadeepan

Posts: 1247; Member since: Jan 24, 2012

Have to blame the sense-less sense UI... All these news support my decision, my Next Android phone is definitely a Nexus, even if it comes with curved display and NO gorilla glass, No SD card slot, Small battery, small camera...

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 12:30 AM 1

9. jackhammeR

Posts: 1548; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

great htc! keep treating your customers like a bunch of idiots! if you work on something have it done before spreading the rumors. it reminds me a frikkin sitcom...juliette is dead, no! she isn't, wait! maybe she is somehow, no! she had her heart transplanted. now it's potato!

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 3:56 AM 1

10. chethan316

Posts: 28; Member since: Nov 07, 2010

I gave away my DHD in June 2011 and now I have a Nexus S. I just got the Android 4.1.1 update a few hours ago, now that's what I am talking about. If HTC has to succeed in the industry, it can't act like a confused kid. As rightly mentioned in one of the comments, if the Incredible S can get it, why not the DHD? It's unfortunate how HTC treats its customers. Getting a Nexus device seems to make all the more sense to me. My next device is going to be whatever Nexus phone Google launches this year and I do not have to worry for another couple of years.

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 4:35 AM 0

13. aaronkatrini

Posts: 242; Member since: Jun 06, 2012

DHD for the Nexus S? Just for the fact it gets Android 4.1.1? Maybe im a bit too much of a Htc fan but, i believe dhe DHD is a better phone. And if it doesn't get ICS, it doesn't change "that much"! I mean, you still can root it and flash many other Rom's. Still the phone can get the things done wether GB,ICS or JB... This however doesn't change the fact I'm pis*ed off with htc for their support

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 7:29 AM 0

11. picka_vi_materina

Posts: 174; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

What utter non-sense. Desire HD has better specs than the One V. It has 768MB RAM and the same CPU. Good job HTC.

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 5:08 AM 1

14. mht7777

Posts: 1; Member since: Jul 21, 2012

GUYS! HTC INDIA has said in its post today that it will be upgrading Desire HD to ICS! c ds!https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=329294307158652&set=a.168426923245392.45475.112176482203770&type=1&theater

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 8:21 AM 1

15. Mr_Carter2

Posts: 13; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

So is my htc thunderbolt still getting the update. Htc said july-August but I have a feeling they won't make that cut off date because the rezound hasn't even been updated yet

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 8:34 AM 0

16. vincent95

Posts: 17; Member since: May 19, 2012

@Mr_Carter2 I'm with you, I'm another Thunderbolt owner, and am highly disappointed with HTC's decision. The Thunderbolt is a Desire HD variant, so I'd say it goes along with HTC's decision to NOT upgrade Desire HD owners to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. I did contact HTC through Facebook expressing my dissatisfaction, so hopefully if enough HTC Desire HD owners express their concern, they'll change their decision (:

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 9:25 AM 0

17. Seannyc

Posts: 59; Member since: Jul 21, 2012

This is why Im scare to ever get an android phone again. Its pretty annoying knowing at some point your phone won't receiving any future update. Im currently using the driod x, was a beast and now its an outdated phone . Im going to get an iphone 5 or watever they call it this time.

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 10:13 AM 0

18. MeoCao unregistered

Buy a Nexus, Google Now and JB beats iOS hands down, and better specs = future proofed, timely update too.

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 12:34 PM 0

23. Seannyc

Posts: 59; Member since: Jul 21, 2012

Its a good phone but S3 seems like the king of android now. If Im getting an android it will be btw s3 n note 2 (rumors its a beast)

posted on Jul 22, 2012, 11:11 PM 0

20. jackhammeR

Posts: 1548; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

dude, there is no phone which could be supported forever, there was a time when there was no smartphones (as we know them right now) and no such updates and people used them anyway. with your approach you'll be better off without a phone. If you're happy with your device what else could u pray for?

posted on Jul 21, 2012, 3:51 PM 0

22. Seannyc

Posts: 59; Member since: Jul 21, 2012

Im not saying I want a phone that will update forever. I want a phone that I can have update for at least 2 yrs (contract term) and will not b eliminated so fast. Apple release one phone a year, I really like android but they r like releasing a new phone every 5 sec and there is always a better android coming right around the corner. If Im paying over $500 for my phone I want a GOOD PHONE. iphones also tend to have a higher re sale value android. Again not hating on android or anything but my own 2 cent. I want the most out of my phone nothing wrong.

posted on Jul 22, 2012, 11:09 PM 0

24. jackhammeR

Posts: 1548; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

everyone would like to have a phone supported for at least 2 years. Not an option today. Lifespan is incredibly short but that's the price for THE PROGRESSSSS (which I find unfriendly and negative). That's why, we as consumers, are forced to buy newer handset more often than before.