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Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat Update: Early Look at What to Expect

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While most of the attention right now is being lavished on the still unreleased Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, there are likely to be some owners who are looking ahead, further into the future, about a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update. Here, we offer some early expectations for those that are looking beyond Android 4.3 at Android 4.4.

All the way back in August of last year, Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 2, its second-generation phablet and a device that was considered one of the best smartphones on the market until the Galaxy Note 3 replaced it in September. At the time it released, the Galaxy Note 2 was using Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, meaning it was one of the first devices to utilize the update out of the box.

December could bring the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update release in some regions, with Galaxy Note 3 features.

Many owners believed that they would then be getting the upgrade to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, an update that was announced just a few weeks after the Galaxy Note 2 arrived on shelves in the United States. Rumors suggested that it would be Android 4.2 Jelly Bean that would be coming in the summer. Unfortunately, the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update never came and Galaxy Note 2 owners are still waiting for their first major Android upgrade.

Last month, Samsung revealed that it indeed skipped Android 4.2 and headed straight to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update, it said, would be rolling out with a host of new features including Galaxy Gear support, Samsung KNOX, and more. Leaks suggest that it will be coming with some Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 software features as well.

Galaxy Note 2 users still have not seen a roll out though signs point to one touching down in the next few weeks. The software is expected to deploy to owners before the end of the year and thus, most Galaxy Note 2 owners are keeping an eye out for their brand new update.

Others though are likely looking deeper into the future thanks to the Android 4.4 KitKat update that Google announced back in October and released just a few days later on the Nexus 5. A Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update hasn’t been announced just yet but we wanted to take a close, early look at what we expect from the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update and its release date.

A Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat Update

At this point, we haven’t seen Samsung confirm any Android 4.4 KitKat updates and we don’t expect it to any time soon. Why? Well, for one, it’s in the middle of its Android 4.3 Jelly Bean deployment. We haven’t seen the updates for the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 finish and so we don’t expect it to turn its attention, at least publicly, to Android 4.4 until after those updates are completed.

Samsung also isn’t known to announce its upgrade plans well advance. The Android 4.3 update was an exception due to it being a massive upgrade for all three devices. The Galaxy Gear is an integral part of Samsung’s lineup right now and it wanted to make sure that users knew that support was coming ahead of the holidays.

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So, we’re in the dark. However, we have seen one rumor suggest that the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update is coming. That’s a good sign. It’s also a good sign that the Android 4.3 update represents the first major update for the Galaxy Note 2. We sincerely doubt that Samsung will only offer one big update for a device as widely adopted as the Galaxy Note 2. That wouldn’t sit well with customers and in a market as competitive as the smartphone market, that’s never a good thing.

At this point, we expect there to be a Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update but we don’t think that it’s going to be touching down any time soon.

Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat Update in 2014

If the update does roll out, we expect it to debut sometime next year. For one, we’re getting close to the end of the year and we still haven’t seen the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update roll out. So unless Samsung is planning on releasing the software back-to-back, something that is highly unlikely, we should see the update pushed to 2014.

Galaxy-Note-2-Direct-dial-hidden-feature-558x575

We’ve also seen the issues that Samsung is having with the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. That update and the Galaxy S3’s are fairly similar, save for a few features, so it could be that the Galaxy Note 2 update has been delayed a bit so that Samsung can work on fixes. That’s not confirmed and purely speculative at this point.

Point here is this. Not only are there signs pointing to 2014 but Galaxy Note updates in general are slow so unless Samsung skips Android 4.3, we likely won’t see Android 4.4 until next year.

Roll Out After Galaxy S5 Release

Those who need more evidence need only look at Samsung’s release patterns. Typically, the carrier will introduce a new flagship with a new piece of software on board. For example, we saw the Galaxy S4 arrive with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean before any other device. We also saw the Galaxy Note 3 come with Android 4.3 before any other Samsung smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is rumored for February.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is rumored for February.

Whether it’s for marketing purposes or otherwise, this is a growing trend at Samsung. And at this point, there is little doubt that the Galaxy S5 will be coming with anything other than Google’s brand new Android 4.4 KitKat update.

With that in mind, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Samsung hold off on updates for its older phones until after the Galaxy S5 is released next year. Rumors suggest that that could take place in February so if true, it may be that owners of older devices don’t have to wait long.

Roll Out After Galaxy S3 Release

We’ll go even further. We expect there to be a Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update. And if that’s the case, we expect the Galaxy Note 2 to get its update after the Galaxy S3. Why? Well, Samsung’s focus is typically on its more widely adopted devices and the Galaxy S3 is reportedly the most widely adopted smartphone in its arsenal. Even bigger than the Galaxy S4.

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So, while the Galaxy S4 is newer, and should get Android 4.4 KitKat first, we fully expect the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update to arrive before the Galaxy Note 2’s update. Keep in mind, this exact thing just happened with the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update roll out.

Bigger Gap Between International and U.S.

Surprisingly, the U.S. has been and will be, much faster to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 updates. Typically, we see the U.S. lag behind by a few weeks, sometimes even a few months. In the case of Android 4.3, it has been right up there with the other regions of the world. And while it could be that these carriers, and Samsung, have made strides, we think there are ulterior motives at work here.

GalaxyGear_002-575x383

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean brings support for the $299 Galaxy Gear smartwatch. This is a device that all five major U.S. carriers sell and it’s a device that figures to be promoted as a holiday gift during Black Friday and beyond. Without Android 4.3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners have no use for the accessory. So in our mind, that’s certainly a reason why we’re seeing these updates roll out.

That said, we doubt that Android 4.4 KitKat will offer the same kind of incentive to Samsung and its carriers. So, we expect U.S. carriers to revert to their old ways and release the Android 4.4 KitKat update much further away from the international roll outs. We do, however, have our fingers crossed.

Five Major U.S. Carriers on Board with Android 4.4

If the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update does roll out, there is no chance that it will skip one of the major carriers in the United States. AT&T, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, T-Mobile and Verizon will either all roll it out or all skip it as they won’t want to offer their rivals any kind of advantage.

Expect an improved camera with supporting software.

Of course, users should expect staggered roll outs with some of these carriers releasing their software quick and others lagging behind. Sprint is typically the fastest to software updates so we expect it to lead the charge.

Android 4.4 KitKat Update Problems

Finally, Galaxy Note 2 users should expect there to be Android 4.4 KitKat update issues. As we’ve pointed out many times over, software updates are never perfect and Galaxy Note 2 owners should not expect the KitKat update to be flawless.

Instead, we should see some issues on board and it will be up to users to find a good place for feedback and up to Samsung to release bug fix updates to fix any issues it overlooked. Hopefully, the situation isn’t as bad as the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 roll out, a roll out that has been marred by issues ever since the update arrived earlier this month.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. josh

    11/15/2013 at 7:02 pm

    I know it’s not exactly the same but this is why I have downloaded and installed the Google experience launcher. Google now works like it’s supposed to and it is pretty smooth.

    • john todd

      11/15/2013 at 7:30 pm

      Already on 4.3 with skynote rom for note 2. Its pretty slick.

  2. Taylor Pruitt

    11/16/2013 at 7:56 am

    Running AOSP Kit-Kat on my Note 2 now with CM 11. Haven’t had single bug…pretty amazing. Of course this means none of the TouchWiz features work, but I never really found myself using them anyway.

  3. Omri Kehat

    11/16/2013 at 8:25 am

    The Note2 phablet is one of Samsung’s best selling Flagship phones. It is very disappointing to see millions of owners waiting over a year for one & probably last update. That shows an empire willing to milk users into yearly purchases bad service & overseas sky-high agent prices are probably expected.

  4. mohit kapoor

    11/16/2013 at 10:16 am

    The note 2 is one of samsungs best selling flagship phone.it is very disappointing to see millions of owners waiting ver a year for one and probably last update. So i request that samsung should release an android v4.4 kitkat for note 2 in the early 2014 asap..!!

  5. Bob

    11/16/2013 at 4:57 pm

    Stop making stuff up the note 2 got 4.2 a long time ago

  6. Bob is wrong

    11/16/2013 at 8:36 pm

    Hey Bob, you’re full of shit.

  7. Murtaza

    11/17/2013 at 10:57 am

    In. Updates apple is best

    • Peter

      11/19/2013 at 10:55 am

      Apple sucks, i got the first iphone, iphone 3gs and 4. Now in have the note 2. Never go back to apple.

  8. Ed Franco (@edfranco1)

    11/18/2013 at 10:25 pm

    I agree with Murtaza, Apple is best at updating there IOS platform

  9. Apple sucks

    11/18/2013 at 10:27 pm

    Except that their updates slow down the older phones to a grinding halt. Newer Software on older hardware doesn’t equal better performance.

  10. smoke

    11/19/2013 at 12:34 am

    Bob is full of shit 4.1.2 is current note 2 software I think it’s pretty pathetic that the HTC one is running.4.3 update and Samsung wants to be slow as dirt jus saying I had an HTC one and my personal opinion it blows the galaxy devices out the water

  11. Smoke rules, Bob is full of shit

    11/19/2013 at 7:59 pm

    I agree, Smoke, Bob is completely full of shit.

  12. Chuck N.

    11/25/2013 at 8:42 pm

    Everyone is full of shit but honestly who gives a shit who thinks what is better. Its only a opinion and what is great for some is useless as Trying to get information about roms for note 2 from iPhone gutter sluts Murtaza & Ed. You guys should go on a trip to San Francisco wearing matching T-shirts. Maybe then we can get back on topic while you guys figure out who gets on top…™

    I personally just installed 4.4 cm 11 and find the sound bug to be annoying but I hear its fixable. I not sure where I want to go from here since I haven’t updated since jb21 using saber krnl. Any thoughts of anything I should not miss out on?

  13. Brandon Little

    11/27/2013 at 1:14 pm

    it’s Wednesday November 27th and my us cellular note 2 is downloading the update as we speak. check your phones! Washington, NC

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