Android 4.4.3 KitKat Details Emerge but Release Date Remains MIA

The Android 4.4.3 KitKat release date remains missing in action though Android 4.4.3 KitKat details continue to emerge at a breakneck pace, teasing Nexus 7, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, and Nexus 4 owners and owners of other Android devices.

Google’s supposed Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has been rumored for weeks though the update remains unreleased without any official details. And while Google remains mum about the subject, Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumors and leaks have been doing the talking, outlining potential release plans and features for Google’s all but confirmed upgrade to Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

Last week, Android Geeks reported that the update could be out on May 23rd, a plausible date given that credible sources have pointed to a release in May, given the number of leaks that we’ve seen emerge and given that Google likes to release Android software during the working week as opposed to the weekend.

Today, the publication claims that there might be a delay beyond the supposed May 23rd release date. In other words, Nexus owners are back to square one because Google still hasn’t said anything about the release date even though the company, and Motorola, have confirmed the update’s presence.

It’s not clear how much of a delay we might see with the software. Sprint was ready to push out Android 4.4.3 KitKat to the Nexus 5 in mid-April though it was forced to postpone the roll out due to unspecified issues. Signs still point to an arrival this month but with time winding down, it could be that Android 4.4.3 KitKat arrives in June or perhaps even later than that.

The Android 4.4.3 KitKat update also recently turned up in a benchmark for a Samsung SM-G906A device that could very well be a version of the Samsung Galaxy S5. The AnTuTu benchmark depicts a device that’s running a full HD display, Snapdragon 801, and a 16MP shooter. The SM-G906 model number is believed to be associated with Samsung’s rumored Galaxy S5 Prime so it’s not clear what this device might be.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime is rumored to have a QHD display among other high-end features and it’s expected to land sometime this summer to compete with the LG G3.

Rumors do suggest that Samsung is in the lab working on Android 4.4.3 KitKat for its regular Galaxy S5. A release date still hasn’t been set but multiple sources indicate that the update will be hitting Samsung’s flagship in the future. It’s not clear what the update will have on board but given that Android 4.4.3 KitKat is expected to be a bug fixer, it could be that Samsung delivers some key enhancements and fixes to those that have invested in its current flagship.

These aren’t the first Android 4.4.3 KitKat sightings. The update has popped up numerous times already and it’s all but confirmed thanks to Google and Motorola.

In a recent update to its Edu Device Setup application on the Google Play Store, Google included the following details:

• Support for new Google Spreadsheets
• Support for Android 4.4.3 and non-Nexus Tablets
• Minor UI updates and bug fixes

More recently than that, the Android 4.4.3 KitKat change log appeared in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) before the files were even made available. The change log revealed the changes that Google has made to the Android 4.4 KitKat software since its release all the way back in November.

Earlier this week, Motorola announced the budget Moto E. It released a teaser video in conjunction with the announcement and the fine print in the video revealed that Motorola expects this device to run Android 4.4.3. The Android 4.4.3 KitKat name shows up in the fine print at the 38 second mark of the video below.

Noted HTC leakster LLabTooFeR recently claimed that the update “should” roll out in May though he did not provide a specific date. He’s also said that the HTC One M8 and HTC One M7 will be getting the update in May or June though he has been unable to lock down a specific date.

Rumors also point to an arrival for several other Samsung Galaxy smartphones including Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 3 Neo, Galaxy Grand 2, and Galaxy Mega. A recent report claims that Samsung may skip Android 4.4.2 for Android 4.4.3, at least for some devices. SamMobile claimed something similar earlier this month.

From camera problems to issues with VPN networks, Android 4.4.3 KitKat should contain a laundry list of fixes and enhancements. Of course, updates will likely be a little bit different from one another, particularly carrier-branded updates. In fact, we’ve already seen this from Sprint. The carrier’s delayed Nexus 5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update is expected to enable Sprint Spark band 26 and band 41.

With Google I/O set to kick off in late June, it should only be a matter of time before this update is released. Google typically releases one last update before its annual developers conference in San Francisco.