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Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat Release Picks Up the Pace

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The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update continues to pick up speed and today, it landed for the international version of the Galaxy S4 LTE, also known as the Galaxy S4 GT-I9505.

Earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update quietly landed for two variants in Korea. Several days later, the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 update hit Sprint, the first carrier in the U.S. to offer the update. Then, last week, the update arrived for Galaxy S4 users on U.S. Cellular, the fifth largest carrier in the United States.

The update is continuing to expand as the update also recently arrive for the international Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 and today, the update has landed for the GT-9505, also known as the international version of Samsung’s Galaxy S4 LTE.

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Samsung’s new Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update is available to GT-I9505 users in Samsung Kies though it appears that the update is only limited to one region at this point. SamMobile, a site that tracks roll outs such as this one, claims that the software is only available in Germany, at least for the moment. This isn’t abnormal as the company tends to take a few days before it pushes major updates out to other devices.

The update is similar to the upgrade that rolled out earlier this month for the GT-I9500 as it delivers mainly enhancements from Android 4.4 KitKat itself. Samsung appears to be saving potential Samsung Galaxy S5 software upgrades for another Android update down the line.

What this means is that the update will deliver features like emoji support, a new way to switch between the default messaging application and Hangouts, some minor UI changes, and more. Carriers will release unique enhancements and fixes of their own, something that was confirmed by the Sprint and U.S. Cellular Galaxy S4 updates that emerged with different feature sets.

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The roll out arrives just a few days after Samsung confirmed the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 update for the United States. Sprint and U.S. Cellular are the only two carriers to have rolled out the software though AT&T is working on the update and T-Mobile and Verizon likely are as well. Smaller carriers typically get their upgrades after the major carriers so those on smaller pre-paid or regional carriers will want to remain patient.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update picks up the pace just as the company starts pushing out more Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 updates. The update is rolling out simultaneously with the Galaxy S4 update and it recently landed for the Galaxy Note 3 variants on U.S. Cellular and Sprint. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have yet to confirm their upgrades.

Next in line are likely going to be the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, though Samsung only confirmed the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade for the United States. The Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade was recently confirmed for Poland though we should see it roll out in numerous countries around the world in the weeks ahead.

26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. 1bigbaddaddy

    02/24/2014 at 9:37 am

    I just downloaded the 4.4.2 update here in the states on my sprint gs4. Not only did the update completely wipe out about 15 downloaded apps and games, but there is no change I can see at all other than the battery icon is now white which I do not like. There are no signs of any kitkat goodies which I was hoping for. Needless to say I am very frustrated with the update. It did nothing but make me try to figure out all the apps that were missing and redownload them. And all my game save data is gone. Thanks kitkat update. Waste of time and very frustrating. More damage than good. Worthless.

  2. Nick

    02/24/2014 at 11:36 am

    Whereabouts do you live in the USA 1bigbaddaddy? I am still waiting on the update now some 3 weeks after release here in michigan? Kinda upset at this point.

  3. 1bigbaddaddy

    02/24/2014 at 12:14 pm

    Oregon.

  4. Thatguy20

    02/24/2014 at 12:22 pm

    Still wait down here in Chicago as well

  5. Thatguy20

    02/24/2014 at 12:23 pm

    Waiting*

  6. arnold

    02/24/2014 at 12:39 pm

    Nick, im also in Michigan in Detroit. I’ve gotten the update but didnt install the update due to the fact one the update meeses up your sd card where you can access it at all but there is a work around if you have a rooted S4.

  7. katrina

    02/24/2014 at 12:44 pm

    Is there any difference with regards to SMS/Missed call notifications on the lock screen? I always liked the notifications on the S3 but have never liked the big yellow boxes on the S4.

  8. Blake S.

    02/24/2014 at 1:00 pm

    I got it as well but it didn’t wipe my data. Now when I I turn my phone on it it takes three seconds to fire up. Nothing special. It It’s sound a little different when it connects makes a call. Google Kit Kat and it it will show you the new features.

  9. Blake S.

    02/24/2014 at 1:02 pm

  10. Nick

    02/24/2014 at 1:06 pm

    Arnold I live aprox. 1 hour north of Detroit and as of now 4:04 pm I still have nothing. What time did you receive the update about?

  11. Angie

    02/24/2014 at 5:37 pm

    I live in Green Bay and checked many times manually to see if the update was there but it always said up to date, but the other day I decided to do a factory reset for a different unrelated reason and immediately after the reset I had a notification for the system update. I’m not sure why that made a difference.

  12. Michelle

    02/24/2014 at 5:53 pm

    Milwaukee here I got it the other day

  13. Mike

    02/24/2014 at 6:29 pm

    This update was not worth the wait at all came write to the sd card and apps get deleted what was the purpose really

  14. sabine

    02/24/2014 at 7:47 pm

    Turned autoupdate off. Will not be updating until I get full control of my SD card back.

  15. Nick

    02/24/2014 at 7:57 pm

    Anybody else here in Michigan that’s gotten the update?

  16. 1bigbaddaddy

    02/25/2014 at 11:03 am

    So I’ve been using my phone for a while since the update. Still disapointed. No emoji keyboard. No “OK google” voice stuff. No change in home or lock screen icons/notifications. Nothing that kitkat was supposed to offer. I did find tap-to-pay which I could honestly care less about. But other than that and the white battery icon thats it. This must be just a very simplified version and with all the headaches it brought, just not worth it. Has anyone else been able to find or use the full kitkat features?

  17. dre

    02/25/2014 at 11:56 am

    agree with 1bigbaddaddy 02/24/2014 at 9:37 am. I’m in Georgia. More bad than good.

  18. kw

    02/25/2014 at 8:01 pm

    Update completely messed up my phone. Constantly switches from wireless to 4G. Drains the battery extremely fast, and my phone is HOT. My MMS messages are messed up, I have a “Message expired or not available” status indicator at the bottom of my screen and it does not go away.

    • Linda G

      05/22/2014 at 9:17 am

      I’m having the same issue – the stupid message won’t go away and keeps the phone on.

      • Jeppe M.

        06/04/2014 at 11:41 pm

        Did You find a solution

  19. Jay Gunter

    02/27/2014 at 4:43 am

    KW I noticed the same thing I can’t get rid of the message . and the battery life is horrible now.

  20. SK

    02/27/2014 at 7:44 am

    Sprint Galaxy S4 KitKat 4.4.2 update kills my battery now… battery drain is very bad. You can almost watch the % drop 1 point every couple of minutes…. need this fixed! Ugh.

  21. Deano

    02/27/2014 at 10:18 am

    Just updated Sprint Galaxy S4 to 4.4.2. And it DID remove a number of apps including Pandora, GasBuddy, and The Weather Channel. This is an improvement???

  22. Hiren

    02/28/2014 at 9:04 pm

    Earlier, S4 had issues with regards to Battery getting drained and the handset getting heated up. yes, Samsung did send updates which to certain extent addressed these two issues. But when I downloaded Kitkat yesterday in S4, now the Battery is again drained out. While looking at the apps that were running, it shows ‘Android System’ (eating 29% of battery!!) as well as ‘Android OS’ (eating 14% of battery). What is this all about ? Only, Samsung and Android creators can answer this. I really wish to rollback to earlier Jelly Bean 4.3. Was better I believe.

  23. mattd1980

    03/06/2014 at 8:58 am

    I installed the update and it totally screwed my S4 up… not only did it remove a bunch of apps, but now my phone freezes up all the time, and anytime I receive a text message or notification I have to hit the power button about 15 to 20 times just to turn the screen on. My phone was running perfectly fine with no problems before the update.

  24. Rebe

    05/02/2014 at 6:41 am

    I upgraded to the 4.4 AT&T, and It not longer Pushes new emails does not notify me of any new messages, also messed up our push to talk as well as battery life. HELP we are a business and rely on Emails on our Phones and now it has become a problem getting them, I have reset all the settings also re-*installed the email accounts. we have an exchange server

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