Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 Update Release Confirmed for U.S.

A new Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update release has been confirmed today for the United States.

Back in June, Google released two new brand new Android 4.4 KitKat updates. First, it was the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update, a massive bug fixer. A few days later, the company pushed out its Android 4.4.4 KitKat update. Both were, and still are, bug fixers aimed at squashing major Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. Over the past four months, we’ve seen several Android manufacturers make it a point to deliver these two updates to smartphone and tablet users.

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 ahead of the upcoming Android L release from Google. We’ve seen Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates land for the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3, and today, another key Android 4.4.4 KitKat release has been confirmed.

Today, Samsung confirmed the Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update release, a release that we’ve known about for quite some time now. This, however, is the first time either company has acknowledged the update in an official capacity. Samsung says that the update is rolling out today though Sprint Galaxy S5 users we’ve spoken to say that they’ve yet to see an update roll out OTA.

Samsung’s announcements typically come a little bit before the actual roll out so it’s possible that we’ll see Sprint make an announcement of its own in the minutes, hours, or days ahead. It’s also important to note that Sprint’s roll outs are staggered which means that they roll out slowly. So while the update could start today or later this week, it won’t roll out to everyone on the same day.

Sprint’s Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat will bring more than just Android 4.4.4 KitKat in name. Its change log lists some important improvements for the Galaxy S5 including:

• Android OS 4.4.4
• HD voice icon
• International VoWiFi
• Google security patches

Sprint’s Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update follows in the footsteps of Verizon’s Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat upgrade. It’s not clear if other carriers beyond these plan to upgrade their Galaxy S5 models with Android 4.4.4 KitKat and its fixes. We also haven’t seen a wide push in the international community though the U.S. seems to get major Android upgrades before the rest of the world now.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update isn’t the only Android 4.4.4 KitKat update in town. We’ve seen both the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update and Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update hit the United States on select carriers. We’ve also seen the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update start to push for various devices around the world. None of these updates are widespread and with Samsung staying silent, it’s not clear where or when they’ll push out next.

This release comes just days ahead of the rumored Android L release from Google, a release that’s expected to replace the Android 4.4 KitKat update as the company’s most current update.

Android L is rumored for an October or November release alongside a Nexus 6 and or a Nexus 9 tablet from HTC. Google has yet to make an announcement though a flurry of new leaks suggest that the arrival of these new products is close.

A rumor from SamMobile puts Samsung’s first Android L updates in November or December. This is exciting because it’s the first we’ve heard of Samsung’s Android L update release plans. The company, to this day, remains silent about what it has in store for Galaxy users in the future.

The first two Android L updates are rumored to be for the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 though we expect a number of Android L updates to eventually roll out to older devices. Here’s a list of devices we expect will get Android L:

• Galaxy S5
• Galaxy S5 mini
• Galaxy S5 Active
• Galaxy S4
• Galaxy S4 Active
• Galaxy Note 4
• Galaxy Note Edge
• Galaxy Note 3
• Galaxy Note 3 Neo
• Galaxy Alpha