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Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4 KitKat Release Breakdown (July)

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Samsung has been pushing out the Android 4.4 KitKat update to its Galaxy-branded devices since the middle of January. Six months later and the company is still working to get Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates out to its flagship devices. With new details swirling, we take a look at the progress Samsung is making with its Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

Last month, the Android 4.4 KitKat update situation got extremely complicated thanks to a pair of new Android 4.4 KitKat updates from Google. In an effort to quell Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems, the company pushed out Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat, updates aimed at patching up issues left behind by the previous release.

While Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat have rolled out to a number of devices including the Moto X, Moto G, Sony Xperia Z1, and HTC One, some companies are holding back. One of those companies is Samsung, the largest Android manufacturer in the world and a company that continues to push out the aging Android 4.4.2 KitKat update to its users.

Throughout the month of July, Samsung has been pushing out new Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates to Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, and even Samsung Galaxy S5 users. This despite the fact that Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat are out in the open and available on several Galaxy competitors.

It doesn’t help that Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy Note 3 users have been complaining about a myriad of Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems either.

While Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat details remain MIA, we have seen a number of new Android 4.4.2 KitKat release details emerge in recent weeks and here, we take yet another detailed look at how Samsung’s Android 4.4 KitKat roll out is progressing, six months after the company first started rolling it out.

While we can’t present every single detail, there are hundreds of different devices in hundreds of different regions on hundreds of different carriers, this will provide a rough sketch of what’s going on in the world of Galaxy Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Galaxy S5 Review - 5

The Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung’s current flagship smartphone, was released back in April. And as we inch closer to the fall and the inevitable iPhone 6 release, it’s clear that the company is trying to improve the device so that it can better compete once the new iPhone lands.

Recently, Samsung pushed out a new Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update that brings some significant features to the tablet. The update, which is rolling out in Europe (Snapdragon variant) and India (Exynos variant), is 200MB in size and it focuses in on the Galaxy S5’s performance.

Users suggest that the update delivers improvements to the fingerprint sensor and battery life in particular. It doesn’t bring the bug fixes that Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat deliver but it’s a significant update nonetheless.

Unfortunately, we don’t know where it’s headed next or if it will land for devices beyond the SM-G900F and SM-G900H, international variants of the Samsung Galaxy S5.

It’s not clear what this means for Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The update was heavily rumored for arrival several weeks ago but since then, nothing. The update was thought to be in testing so it’s possible that Samsung is still working behind the scenes to deliver one of these updates to Galaxy S5 users.

Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom 9

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update is still in full swing. Just yesterday, the update finally landed for the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A, a device that was rumored to be getting Android 4.4.3 KitKat in July. The update, which takes the LTE-A model up from Android 4.3, is the same Android 4.4.2 KitKat update that’s arrived for users around the world.

Earlier this month, Samsung also started pushing out the Galaxy S4 Zoom Android 4.4.2 KitKat update, delivering performance enhancements and improvements to the company’s camera-centric version of the Galaxy S4. Like the Galaxy S4 LTE-A update, the Galaxy S4 Zoom Android 4.4.2 KitKat push is moving slow and Samsung will likely take several weeks to roll it out to customers around the world.

While Samsung has made some significant progress, there are still some updates that remain missing. For instance, the Galaxy S4 mini Android 4.4.2 KitKat update still hasn’t landed for Canadian carrier Rogers or Australian carrier Optus. Neither has offered a definitive date on those roll outs and Optus says it still hasn’t even received the update in for testing. This is another Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat roll out that will take several weeks to complete.

As for the regular old Galaxy S4, there are still a few carriers that owe their users updates. In the U.S., we still haven’t seen the update emerge for C Spire or MetroPCS, odd considering the other U.S. carriers pushed their updates out weeks ago. Elsewhere, Optus, Vodafone Australia and Telstra still have Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates to push out. Unfortunately, we have not seen any significant developments emerge for those devices in the last few weeks.

As for Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat, we still have nothing. The one device that was expected to be first to Android 4.4.3 KitKat, the Galaxy S4 LTE-A, just got Android 4.4.2 KitKat. So if one of these updates is coming, its probably a little ways out.

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy S3 - Features

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update situation is the oddest of the bunch.

Back in early May, Samsung started pushing out the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update. The update, which had been a flashpoint for many weeks, was initially limited to Sprint Galaxy S3 owners in the United States before pushing out to other Galaxy S3 LTE users in the United States and in Canada. Since then, we simply haven’t seen anything emerge. Not even the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update.

In recent updates to their progress reports, French carrier SFR and Australian carrier Optus, two carriers that are usually at the tip of the spear when it comes to early Android update information, have not put forth any information regarding upcoming Android 4.4 KitKat plans for the Galaxy S3.

SFR’s schedule offers information on updates through August with Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates for the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Note 2 4G planned for that month. Optus, which typically announces updates months in advance, has announced updates for its Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S4 mini but not for its Galaxy S3.

This is where it really gets weird. Vodafone Australia, a rival carrier to Optus and another carrier that loves to announce updates early, claims that the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update will be rolling out but that it is “awaiting software for testing” and that the “ETA to be confirmed by Samsung.” This is an update that has been confirmed for weeks now but we still haven’t seen any viable information emerge and Vodafone AU remains one of, if not the only carrier outside the U.S. to confirm this update.

As we’ve noted, it could be that Samsung simply put a priority on the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat updates in North America. The U.S. is a key battleground so Samsung could have put a focus on users there. It also could be that the company is making a move to get Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat out instead though we haven’t heard any whispers about that.

It’s also possible that Samsung will ultimately decide to pass on a number of Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat updates whether it’s due to performance reasons or something else. It’s difficult to say at this point and users will simply need to remain patient.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy Note 3 -  006-X2

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat, the first update to land back in January, has slowed down considerably in the last month. This is likely due to the fact that Samsung has been able to get the Android 4.4.2 update out to most Galaxy Note 3 users. Those that are still lingering on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and there many only be a few, will want to check in with carrier representatives at this point.

No sign of Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat though we imagine that the Galaxy Note 3 would be among the first to get such an update should Samsung decide to roll one out. With no updates in sight, it could be that the next Galaxy Note 3 Android update will be Android L, Google’s new update that’s set to arrive later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung-Galaxy-Note-3-Video-021-575x383

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update started rolling out a few short days before the company pushed the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update. But unlike the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update, which remains embroiled in mystery, the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update is still healthy and pushing out to owners across the globe. Most recently, we heard that ThreeUK started pushing its Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update.

There are, of course, plenty of updates that remain missing. SFR says it plans to push its final Galaxy Note 2 update out in early August but other carriers remain mum on specifics. T-Mobile USA still hasn’t offered up the update and neither have the aforementioned Australian carriers. In fact, Optus says that it still hasn’t received the update from Samsung. In other words, Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates are weeks away for some users.

At this point, it’s clear that we’re not going to be skipping from Android 4.3 to Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat and it’s not clear if the Galaxy Note 2 will get one of these updates down the road. We’re guessing that the Android 4.4.2 KitKat roll out needs to be completed first though we’ve seen stranger things happen.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Joey Smith

    07/25/2014 at 1:34 pm

    Oh dear fellows!!! Let’s leave Samsung, they don’t respect their customers. When it comes to updates, they’re really very slow. I’m experiencing very bad behaviour with my phone since february 2014 after my T Mobile S4 updated to KK4.4.2, now my cell is a piece of crap. I hate the phone and I’m willing to update it to 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 in order to see if it improves. I wish I could downgrade it to the oldest android version it had when I bought it. We have to move to Motorola, Nexus, HTC or whatever other phones, but Samsung SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. starpintr

    07/25/2014 at 6:30 pm

    The real problem is Samsung not making any statements about the stays of the upgrades. If they would simply report the current direction it would go a long way to having users understanding why the wait. Six months is a long time to wait for an announced update. I wonder how many users will just root their phones and decide they don’t need Samsung support, or even consider the new iPhone if it has the larger screen…

  3. james

    07/25/2014 at 7:02 pm

    I gotta tell you I agree with you on samsung & tmobile If they keep up their non caring attitude not informing their customers of upcoming updates. I have the note 2 and obviously I’m not a happy camper. I liked the phone but their way of handling updates is not good. A good product and they loose it all at the end.

  4. Juan Martinez

    07/25/2014 at 7:15 pm

    Going for HTC nexus 6, I’m sorry Samsung you take to damn long.

  5. Derrick Lamont

    07/25/2014 at 8:43 pm

    I hate to say it, but I agree. Customer support starts with respect. The quickest way to feel disrespected is by not being told what is going on. I’m going to give Samsung two more weeks and then I’m rolling down to the local TMobile and pick up an LG G3. I was waiting for the Note 4 but I don’t like how I’m being treated. I’d rather pay for an update and be treated like a customer than to get an update for free and be ignored.

  6. Justin Brown

    07/26/2014 at 6:07 am

    guys stop bitchin its things that are beyond your control…you can find it with a lil bit of searching on the internet..
    Ive rooted mine and added roms so many times and have no problem now yea its annoying waiting for Samsung & T-Mobile to push out updates but remember you leaving Samsung or T-Mobile won’t hurt their pockets to them it’ll be a drop in the ocean… Just be calm and wait OR you can choose to go to another phone brand…\/

  7. Joey Smith

    07/26/2014 at 7:04 am

    Well Justin, think about many users leaving Samsung together … let’s say that about 100,000 or more customers around the world decide to leave Samsung at the same time, that’s a lot of money. Each single customer is very very but very important for any store, any business. Let’s wait to see what’s going on ….

  8. Pam Vos

    07/26/2014 at 7:11 pm

    wait stop and think if we get mad and decide to just go buy a new phone we are probably doing exactly what they expected us to do why not giving us the Kit Kat update for the Samsung galaxy s 3 after we paid all that money for the latest phone I think they feel we will just do it again.

  9. Mr Danial

    07/26/2014 at 10:40 pm

    Samsung is just disappointing their customers now and I don’t think that they would listen to owners of flagship devices in future. And I can definitely say that if Samsung wouldn’t look after thier statements almost everyone will change their way to other brands like htc. Feeling Very disappointed :-(

  10. Pinguin Vunix

    07/27/2014 at 12:22 am

    I’m gonna wait until my s3 lte will turn into crap then look for another company… probably htc or nexus brand or maybe xiaomi…. I’m tired of looking everywhere online to see when samsung will update it’s phone. … while my friends have the latest android update months before samsung releases it and they pay for their phone less than me ….

  11. Jay123

    07/27/2014 at 7:10 pm

    Samsung is lying. I called them last week to explain to that all carriers have pushed out the 4.4 update except for T Mobile. She then explained that Samsung has pushed it out for all devices. That was a bold lie. Even on there website the SGH-T999 S3 for T Mobile has not been put on any list to have them updated. I think im going to just go through Google or Apple for my next phone. I am completely fed up with Samsung and there $660 phones that they won’t or for some reason have a hard time pushing out the lastest software. This is not a common problem for Apple. Smh!!!

  12. Jay123

    07/27/2014 at 7:16 pm

    Exactly. Im not about to drop over $1000 a year for the latest device. Which if you are akways getting the new device, thats exactly what you’re doing. Im gonna be an S3 user until it just stops working, lol. They won’t get me with that. Im still making the $20 subsidiary payments on it. So after that im rooting it and doing whatever I want with it. Hell I should be able to I’ve spent over half a grand on it.

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