The upgrade path to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean has been rocky for many. Handset makers have continually promised over-the-air software updates for devices stuck on previous Android versions, but many consumers are still waiting for upgrades. To add to their frustration, HTC's Android 4.1 upgrade FAQ lists some additional restrictions, noting that devices with 512MB RAM or less will not be upgraded to Android 4.1.

The FAQ indicates that HTC will prioritize the Jelly Bean update for its most-recently launched devices, including the HTC One X and One S. The company added that it will "consider [its] ability to provide updates to products from 2011," but for now no 2011-era devices are eligible. Indeed, the 512MB restriction even snares a few 2012-era handsets: specifically called out as not Jelly Bean-compatible are the HTC One V and Desire C, which are offered on pay-as-you-go networks like Virgin Mobile and Cricket Wireless (the Desire V, another 512MB handset, isn't listed). Handsets with 768MB of RAM, like the Desire X and Desire SV, are not mentioned. It's possible that HTC could eventually add these and other handsets to the upgrade list, but for now this is the only information the company has provided. Those who have been left in the upgrade dust can at least take comfort in knowing that HTC has promised to provide them with general software updates, security updates, and technical support.

As to why it's taken so long for some HTC phones to actually receive an update, the company says that its goal as a handset maker is to ensure that upgrades meet a "high standard of quality" for compatibility with its hardware and that it has to adapt Android for certain handset- and carrier-specific requirements.

It's nice that HTC is being up front with consumers by listing a few devices which definitely will and won't be getting Jelly Bean, but we would have appreciated definitive statements about the rest of the models as well. What's interesting to note, however, is that tablets limited to 512MB of RAM have had no problems running stock Jelly Bean. Indeed, the operating system appears quite frugal with memory. It's possible that HTC's Sense UI may be the reason that the company can't push forward updates to devices running on 512MB of RAM, but we had difficulty finding any actual system requirements for the Sense UI. We've reached out to HTC for comment and will update if we get a response.

HTC does not mention an official date or time frame for availability of the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.