New Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop Release Getting Closer

A new Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop release appears to be getting closer and it’s a big one. The Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 Lollipop update remains unreleased but thanks to these new details, it’s looking like the update is barreling closer to its arrival.

Earlier this year, Samsung released the Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the first time. The update followed in the footsteps of the Galaxy S5 Lollipop release and joined Lollipop roll outs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 4. And like these other updates, the Galaxy S4 Lollipop release remains extremely limited in the days after its first roll out.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop update has landed for owners of the GT-I9500 in select regions as well as for owners of the Galaxy S4 LTE-A. It has not landed for the GT-I9505, another popular international variant and one that remains stranded on Android 4.4 KitKat. Samsung still hasn’t confirmed any release details for GT-I9505 users but thanks to a report out of Italy, we now know that the update is inching closer to release.

According to Optima Magazine in Italy, the Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 Lollipop update is currently in service centers in Germany ahead of its public release for Galaxy S4 users. The site claims that the update’s build date is from January 29th and that it’s based on the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop firmware that’s rolled out for other versions of the Galaxy S4 in recent days. A specific release date is currently out of reach but given the build date, it’s clear that Samsung is making progress.

An imminent arrival wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Samsung usually updates its international models, including LTE variants, in the early part of the roll out process. For instance, the company’s already pushed out Android 5.0 Lollipop updates to the LTE versions of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop update is indeed rolling out but it’s still extremely limited. As of right now, its hit three major Galaxy S4 variants including the GT-I9500 in Russia, the GT-I9500 in India, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A, also known as the GT-I9506. The Galaxy S4 LTE-A Lollipop update is currently available in Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia.

Carriers remain silent about the Galaxy S4 Lollipop update and that should continue while Samsung works behind the scenes to test and deliver Android updates to carriers around the world. Android release dates are heavily dependent on the testing process and that’s a big reason why many carriers opt to remain silent in the buildup to their releases.

Samsung continues to make a massive Lollipop push in the month of February as we move closer and closer to its rumored Samsung Galaxy S6 launch date on March 1st. These new Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop details come just a day after the company made a strong Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop push.

The company’s Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop update has gained a ton of ground after its initial delay with three major updates hitting the scene over the last week. Unfortunately, it’s not clear where the update will head next. Samsung’s Android updates are extremely unpredictable and random.

Samsung’s expected to continue that roll out alongside the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S5 Lollipop releases. The company is also expected to roll out Android 5.0 Lollipop updates to the Galaxy S5 mini, Galaxy S5 Active Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy Alpha, and the aging Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It’s not clear when those updates will roll out and they could lag behind as Samsung works to get its flagship devices upgraded with its latest Android software.