HTC One Mini, One Mini 2 End Lifecycle With KitKat As Android Devices Confirmed To Skip Lollipop

HTC has reportedly confirmed that the One Mini and One Mini 2 will not be upgraded to Android 5.0 Lollipop. For the two compact smartphones, its maker is likely sticking to KitKat 4.4.4.

According to 9to5Google, HTC has determined that the One Mini and One Mini 2 are best experienced with the mobile operating system that Google has first issued in October 2013. The first One Mini rolled out in the same year while the One Mini 2 hit the market in the second quarter of 2014.

The Taiwan-based device maker, it appears, is withholding Lollipop from the mid-range phone owners for a reason. The best possible mobile device experience packed with the two gadgets is not compatible with the latest Android version, HTC said.

“We determined that Lollipop on the One Mini 2 will not provide an optimal experience; it isn't scheduled to receive the update,” HTC was reported by 9to5Google as saying in a

Twitter post dated April 28. And the same goes for the device’s 2013 version.

“The HTC One Mini is not going to receive the Lollipop update at this time,” the company announced a few days after. This Twitter message was uploaded May 3.

Alternative

The HTC decision, however, seemed odd as the devices in subject are relatively new especially in the case of the One Mini 2. 9to5Google noted on its report that older handsets worked just fine with Lollipop so HTC’s declaration that two One Minis will not reach optimal levels with Android 5.0 powering them seems unfounded.

But the restriction can be circumvented, the report said. For One Mini and One Mini 2 owners who really want to experience Material Design on the two devices the solution points to CyanogenMod. “Head over to CyanogenMod’s website and get the nightly for CM12 if you want to manually grab Lollipop for the device,” 9to5Google offered.

The same site also contains quick tips that will allow users to safely and manually flash Android Lollipop on their devices. But the report reminded too that the procedure is likely applicable only on the HTC One Mini 2.