New Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Details Emerge

New Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update details have emerged today ahead of Samsung’s announcement and ahead of the highly anticipated Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop release date.

Earlier this year, Samsung started rolling out its Android 4.4.2 KitKat update to Galaxy devices. That roll out has since been joined by the Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat update release, a release that recently hit several devices inside the United States. And while Samsung is still very focused in on its Android 4.4 KitKat roll outs, we’ve begun to see lots of movement regarding its unannounced Galaxy Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

Samsung Galaxy Android 5.0 Lollipop update details have been free flowing over the past few weeks as Samsung works behind the scenes to deliver another massive update to smartphone and tablet users. In particular, the Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update has been extremely active and we’ve seen a number of big time leaks emerge ahead of Samsung’s official announcement regarding the update.

Several leaks have shown off its features ahead of time. The Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop release date is rumored for December. And most recently, we saw the update emerge on Sprint’s website, confirming a Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the very first time. The update is currently in testing though a release date remains unknown.

Today, new details have emerged in the form of a leaked Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update that’s available to the public right now. The update, which comes courtesy of XDA-Developers, is not the final version of the software but it’s the first version that’s been available to the public. Previous leaks were held back.

The update is a test build so it understandably has some issues on board. Sprint Galaxy S5 users looking to take the plunge will want to proceed with caution because the update could have untold effects on the stability of the device. Novice users should stay away from the software and wait for the official OTA to arrive. It’s not yet clear when the carrier, or Samsung, will introduce the final version of the software. Historically, Sprint has been among the first to major Samsung Galaxy Android updates.

The update is available as a full restore which will force Galaxy S5 users to wipe the data on the device. This is something that will not happen with the final version and the OTA.

Samsung’s release date for this update still hasn’t been confirmed though rumors point to an arrival in December alongside the Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update. While Samsung might be targeting a release this year, it doesn’t mean that one is guaranteed. Android software update release dates are dependent on internal testing and we often see release ETAs push back due to bugs.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 figures to be one of the first to the Android 5.0 Lollipop update given its stature as one of Samsung’s top smartphones. The Galaxy Note 4, another current flagship, should also be one of the first to get the new operating system from Google and Samsung. These two devices won’t be the only ones getting the upgrade, however.

Android 5.0 Lollipop updates are rumored for the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 as well though the Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 Lollipop release is rumored for early 2015, specific date unknown. Samsung tends to focus on its flagships first before moving to older devices which means this rumored timeline fits in with the company’s usual release pattern.

Other Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets remain out of the picture for the moment though Samsung’s Android 5.0 Lollipop update should encompass most devices from 2013 and 2014. The company usually sticks to an 18-24 month window for Android software updates.