Android
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop Release Date Firms Up
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop release date is firming up thanks to a carrier that not only confirmed the update but offered a very specific Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop release window that mirrors previous reports.
Early 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’s Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop update is still not confirmed though we’ve seen it show up in a number of rumors that have all but confirmed its arrival. While Samsung’s still not announced it, the Galaxy Note 4 update itself, and its release date, have leaked out several times offering a glimpse at what should be one of Samsung’s first Android 5.0 Lollipop updates.
New details seem to confirm that. French carrier SFR, a carrier known for releasing Android update information well in advance, today released its new updated schedule. The schedule shows off an upcoming Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop release that not only confirms the update’s arrival in France but also confirms a release window that unsurprisingly lines up with what we’ve heard about the Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop release date.
Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.0 rumors put the release in close proximity to the Galaxy S5 Lollipop update, something that we said made perfect sense, and SFR confirms that this is likely to be the case. The carrier’s new schedule puts the Galaxy S5 Lollipop release date in December and it claims that the Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop release will come in January. It’s a bit of a wait but it falls in line with Samsung’s done in the past.
Keep in mind, this timing should be considered an ETA rather than a concrete release window. Everything is dependent on testing which means that a minor setback could push SFR’s release, and others, back deeper into 2015. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is a flagship though which means that its release should not be too far off in the distance as Samsung works to close to gap between its Lollipop updates and the update from its competitors.
This timing is important for all Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users because it confirms rumors that essentially have all but confirmed an early Lollipop release for the Galaxy Note 4. Unlike the Galaxy S5, we’ve yet to see the Galaxy Note 4 update leak for a U.S. carrier though if SFR is working on the update, there’s a good chance that carriers in the United States already have their hands on the Galaxy Note 4’s first major upgrade.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 won’t be the only device moving from KitKat to Lollipop. The Galaxy S5, another current flagship, should also be one of the first to get the new operating system from Google and Samsung. 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. Look for Samsung to confirm its plans once it gets closer to official roll out dates for these devices. If this information is spot on, then we should see some movement soon.
Tyler Fischer
12/03/2014 at 6:01 am
samsung is always later on android updates than enyone else. and samsung nordic countries updates comes waay later. kitkat came over 6 months later to sweden. so i guess that its going to be the same thing now. nordic lollipop update around june-july 2015
Ms Nae
12/05/2014 at 9:51 am
I have a Note 4 and my boyfriend has a Note 3. The chances of the lollipop update rolling out when the S5 rolls out close behind are very likely here in the US. I have seen that to be the case with older phone updates, especially with Samsung. Of course with their tablets, they seem to stop at certain model like the Tab2…you can only get current updates if you root it. I have had my Tab2 over a year now and the last update I had was 4.4.2 so anything beyond that would have to be rooted. Articles I have read stated new updates would start at the Tab3. I considered buying a new Tab3 for a USB port and other features my Tab2 has, but the likelihood of me actually going through with it are highly doubtful right now.
We’ve seen what the new update would look like in YouTube videos for the Note 3 and 4…very much like the S5. I just hope there are good updates on the S Pen functions. We are on Tmobile and they tend to be good with their update roll outs. I guess it’s just a wait and see.
Ms Nae
12/05/2014 at 9:58 am
Correction, I would consider buying the Tab3 for the USB port and other features my Tab2 does not have, but probably at a later time because now the Tab4 is out and is packed with other capabilities and features well above the Tab2 standards. It is more likely I’ll wait until after the release of lollipop.