HTC One Max Tipped to Run Android 4.3, Not Android 5.0

Early rumors suggested that the HTC One Max would run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, an update that is rumored to be coming in October or November alongside the Nexus 5. Now, it appears that those rumors were off base as a noted HTC insider has declared that the device will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, not Android 4.2 and not Android 5.0.

Earlier this year, the HTC One Max leaked out as the HTC T6, its codename behind the scenes. The device emerged with a spec sheet courtesy of the reliable @evleaks, a spec sheet that listed off a number of specifications for the unofficial device. Many of these specifications appear to be the real deal including a large 5.9-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 16GB of storage and a massive battery.

This is said to be the HTC One Max.

However, the spec sheet also listed Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie which likely excited many of those hopeful that this smartphone would launch with Google’s rumored update. The way things are looking, it appears that the HTC One Max won’t run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, but will run the most current version of Android.

@LLabTooFeR, a notable HTC leaker and developer, claims that the HTC One Max won’t be running Android 4.2 like the HTC One, but Android 4.3 Jelly Bean like the current Nexus devices. Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie seems out of the question now too, even though it’s expected to arrive sometime in the late part of the year.

Instead, the HTC One Max will likely run Android 4.3 which just arrived for Nexus devices in late July and should be rolling out to other devices in the months to come. The update is not the major overhaul that is expected out of Android 5.0, but it is a nice incremental update from the previous version of Jelly Bean.

HTC is expected to debut the HTC One Max in September to battle the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and while we still don’t have any specific launch plans, it could show its face at the IFA trade show in Berlin, Germany.

The device is expected, at the very least, to be heading to Verizon, though that remains unconfirmed like the device itself.