Samsung Galaxy S5 Lollipop Release Confirmed for U.S.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.o Lollipop release date is inching closer as a U.S. carrier is now confirmed to be testing the Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update behind the scenes ahead of release.

Earlier this year, Samsung started rolling out its Android 4.4.2 KitKat update. The first update landed for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which, at the time, was one of the company’s flagship smartphones. Samsung’s roll out took place a few months after Google pushed out Android 4.4 KitKat for its Nexus devices and right around the time that other Android manufacturers started making moves of their own.

It’s now November and Samsung’s Android 4.4.2 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat deployments are still going strong though, it appears that the company will soon shift to Google’s brand new Android operating system, Android 5.0 Lollipop. Android 5.0 Lollipop first started rolling out this month and while the update is not yet confirmed for Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones and tablets, leaks and rumors have pinpointed a number of insider details that have put a number of release details on display.

In particular, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update has been very active in the past few weeks as leaks and rumors have attempted to out Samsung’s plans ahead of time. Today, we can confirm that Sprint has the Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update in testing as a User Agent String on the carrier’s website clearly shows Android 5.0 Lollipop listed for the SM-G900P, also known as the Galaxy S5.

The listing does not mean that an update is around the corner but it does mean that the carrier is actively testing the update ahead of its arrival. This also stands as the first Samsung Galaxy Android 5.0 Lollipop confirmation for the United States as neither Samsung, nor its carrier partners, have said anything about Android 5.0 Lollipop for the Galaxy S5 or any other Galaxy smartphones.

The emergence of the Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop release comes on the heels of another major leak that offers us another glimpse at the Galaxy S5 Lollipop update and hints at a release that is finally inching closer to the public.

SamMobile, a site known for leaking early Samsung software, has also leaked what it’s calling its “final preview” of the Galaxy S5 Lollipop release. The leaks follows several others that outed some of the features coming on board an update that could be Samsung’s first Android 5.0 Lollipop update. Today’s leak is reportedly not the final build but there’s enough progress here to suggest that Samsung’s inching closer to the final version of the Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop release and the Galaxy S5 Lollipop release date.

The software isn’t too much different from what we’ve seen before though the site notes that it comes with “new icons in Toolbox, which allows quick access to a few functions from anywhere on the phone.” The software is also said to be faster and more fluid than the other leaks that we’ve seen, another sign that Samsung’s pushing closer to a public release for its current Galaxy S flagship.

This latest build contains noticeable bugs, a sign that Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Lollipop release isn’t right around the corner, but those should get ironed out as the company works behind the scenes to get the update ready for public consumption.

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 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.