Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4 Update: 7 Things Users Need to Know

With an Android L release in sight and Samsung now rolling out Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates to select devices, we want to take a look at the most important things Galaxy smartphone users need to know about Samsung’s ongoing Android 4.4 Kitkat release.

At the beginning of June, Google released two new Android 4.4 KitKat updates. First was Android 4.4.3. A few days later, the company pushed out Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Both were, and still are, bug fixers aimed at squashing major Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems and they continue to land for key devices in the build up to Google’s Android L release.

Over the past three and a half months, we’ve seen several Android manufacturers make it a point to deliver these two updates to smartphone and tablet users. And while it waited several weeks, Samsung finally joined the Android 4.4.4 KitKat party a few days ago as it, and its carrier partners, work to improve their big name devices.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat isn’t the only name in town though. Samsung continues to push out other forms of Android 4.4 KitKat including the aging Android 4.4.2 KitKat update that first started rolling out back in January of this year. In addition, there are still some Android 4.4 KitKat update mysteries that are swirling for key devices.

Here, we want to take a look at the most important information regarding the Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4 KitKat release for key devices like the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, and the aging Galaxy S3. These details will bring Galaxy smartphone owners up to date with all of the latest concerning Android 4.4, Android 4.4.4 KitKat and even the release of Android L.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat Updates Continue

First things first. Samsung’s Android 4.4.2 KitKat update continues to roll out to its older devices including the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4, and even the Galaxy Note 3 in some regions. This is important to point out because it means that your next Android 4.4 KitKat update may not be Android 4.4.4 KitKat, Google and Samsung’s latest.

Remember, Samsung’s roll outs are extremely unpredictable and random and there’s no way to accurately predict roll outs ahead of time. Android 4.4.4 KitKat , for the moment, appears to be focused on the United States and there’s no telling where it will land next. For most Galaxy smartphone users still on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and there are a bunch of people on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Android 4.4 KitKat will probably be next.

New Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat Updates Coming

We still don’t know when Telstra, C Spire or MetroPCS will roll out their Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat updates, details remain missing in action, though we do have a bead on some upcoming Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

Australian carrier Vodafone says that its Galaxy S4 Cat.4 Android 4.4 KitKat update is now in testing though it doesn’t specify the version. Again, it’s possible that it will be Android 4.4.2 KitKat and not Android 4.4.4. What’s odd is that the regular old Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update is not in testing, at least not as of late last week.

Fellow Aussie carrier Optus still doesn’t have its Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat updates in for testing. It says it expects them in for testing in October. What this means is that it, and other carriers, are likely weeks away from an Android 4.4 KitKat release assuming Samsung doesn’t opt to release Android L instead. We simply haven’t seen any progress here, odd given that the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 Kitkat update started rolling out back in February.

Galaxy S4 mini Android 4.4 KitKat Updates On the Way

We should also point out that the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update should make progress in the next couple of weeks. Vodafone says that it has it in for testing and assuming the testing goes well, it should roll out to customers in the near future. Testing typically takes a couple of weeks to complete though updates often face delays.

Canadian carrier Rogers still lists the update as coming soon. Oddly enough, it lists it as an Android 4.4.3 KitKat update. We’re not sure what this means for the Galaxy S4 mini in Canada though we honestly doubt that the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update will land for the Galaxy S4 mini. Android 4.4.2 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat seems more likely. Rogers also says that the Galaxy S3 mini and Galaxy Mega will be getting Android 4.4 KitKat soon as well.

Finally Optus is saying October for the Galaxy S4 mini Android 4.4 KitKat update so we are still weeks away from a release. Look for the release status to emerge in the weeks ahead.

Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat Update Takes Step Backward

The Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat remains MIA for most users after a roll out that first started back in May. We’ve heard that Samsung still hasn’t made a decision about the release and this appears to be playing into the one international release date that we’ve seen.

Vodafone Australia originally had an OTA up for its Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update. Now, we’re back to square one. The carrier says that it doesn’t know when the update will be made available for testing which means that it could still be weeks away at least.

We’re not sure where the T-Mobile USA Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is either. T-Mobile’s rivals have pushed out the update already though the UnCarrier remains silent about its plans, even as it rolls out new Android 4.4.4 KitKat upgrades.

Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat Updates Still MIA

Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat updates remain up in the air as well. T-Mobile USA still hasn’t pushed its update and all of these aforementioned carriers, minus Rogers, have yet to push out their Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat updates. The only clue that we have right now is Optus’ promise of testing in October.

Point is, we’re expecting the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update to continue pushing out into the fall and perhaps, into the winter as well. Keep in mind, we’re still seeing Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates roll out to devices like the Galaxy S3. Samsung’s process is extremely slow and users will need to remain patient.

Hopefully, Samsung pushes out the remaining Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update and fills owners in on the prospects of Android L.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update Update

Here’s what we’ve seen this far:

• Two Verizon Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates
• T-Mobile and Sprint Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates
• T-Mobile Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update
• A Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update that emerged but has yet to roll out
• Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy Alpha will all arrive with Android 4.4.4 KitKat on board

Android L Release Dates Rumored

It looks like Samsung is planning to release Android L updates after Android 4.4.4 KitKat. That doesn’t come as much of a surprise given that its competitors have already confirmed Android L updates.

According to SamMobile, Samsung will release Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 Android L updates to replace the Android 4.4 KitKat software that’s currently on board these two flagships. Furthermore, the publication claims that the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 Android L updates could be released in the November to December time frame.

If true, this would be much quicker than last year’s Android 4.4 KitKat roll out that started in January after an initial Android 4.4 KitKat release in November. Samsung is still pushing out Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates to Samsung Galaxy users almost a year after it was first released.

It’s important to note that software update release dates, especially major ones like the Android L release, can change at the drop of a hat. Release dates are heavily dependent on testing and the testing process will often produce results that lead to delays. Samsung’s Android 4.4 KitKat roll out has experienced several delays.

In other words, 2015 isn’t out of the question. Older devices are almost certainly going to get Android L in 2015.