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Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 expected to receive KitKat as early as January

31

Samsung Galaxy S4 launch event New York

Where HTC has been refreshingly open about their upgrade schedule for Android 4.4 KitKat, we’re still forced to play the guessing game with others. Dealing specifically with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 — 2 of Samsung’s biggest devices of the year — users are still left in the dark on when they should be expecting Android 4.4 KitKat to hit their devices.

That’s not to say we haven’t had a few hints. Back in November, a purported leaked document from Samsung India showed a KitKat release date for the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 slated for January. Adding more fuel to that date is French carrier SFR who, in a blog post, says KitKat will be available in late January/February for Samsung’s flagships. SFR has been reliable with their info in the past, hitting the mark on Android 4.3 timing for the Galaxy S3, Note 2, and HTC One.

Of course update timing is always different depending on region. Typically, software updates like these need to undergo an extensive testing process before carriers will push them to handsets on their network. A full fledged firmware update like KitKat is bound to come with more than a few changes to TouchWiz. We’ll keep you updated.

[SFR | via SamMobile]

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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31 Comments

  1. Probably for the international markets, so meaning the US will not see it until after the S5 is out perhaps?

    1. I know it’s not popular opinion but honestly I think that’s a good strategy. When a new flagship launches, having a device that not only trumps the previous version in hardware, but software makes sense. At least for a brief period.

      1. Yeah, it’s good for the manufacturer. Apple releases the software before their hardware update comes out, but they probably can afford to do so and kinda owe it to their userbase since they update the phone once a year (at least major update.) Androids can see 2-3 updates with new features.

    2. They might just sell the s5 with KitKat and them update the other two to KitKat

  2. Any news on the note 2014?

    1. 2 months after the Note 3 launches? Anxious much?

      1. Lol should have clarified. Note 10.1 2014. Too late… downvoted. :-(

    2. I’ll tell you now, 4 GB of RAM, 64 Bit Processor, 2K HD Screen (2550 x 1440 display or some ratio like that), Android 5.0, maybe a 21mp sensor, a 5000 mAh battery. That’s my instinct and looking at patterns, but what the heck? Anything can happen.

      1. Forgot retina scanner ;-)

      2. I could actually see those specs being realistic, except maybe the battery unless they can cram in more mAh without adding more bulk.

      3. Fingerprint scanner. OIS, 16MP camera

  3. Very good news I just hope tmobile speeds things up

    1. I think they will. ( both T mobile and Samsung) .

      With Motorola / HTC and LG speeding up the updates. Samsung should too. as for tmobile Verizon’s doing soak test for the droid already.. t mobile will step up there game on the updates too

      1. When did LG sped up their updates? Must have been so fast that it blew right by me.

    2. This is a Samsung product – I would advise you hope for T-Mobile to take their time and make sure the update is not bug-infested as usual.

  4. And we’ll see 4.4 on the Note 2 by Christmas 2014 lol

  5. I have a sprint s4 and I can’t wait to get android 4.4.× and the note 3 with android 4.4.× is going to be crazy I might have to save some money up and get a note 3 lol ;)

    1. Save up? $0 down at Tmo.

      1. But, it’s on Tmo. I kid! Nice avatar : )

  6. Rooted and running Kit Kat 4.4.2 on my Sprint Galaxy S4

  7. Maybe that will unbreak my GS4 from the last updates they sent out

    1. Mine is running flawlessly on 4.3

  8. Meh, just flash one of the Google Editon roms and enjoy Kit Kat now. If you have an i9505 why wait?

    1. Some of us get random reboots with those roms. Not really designed for the i9505.

      1. Works fine here.

        1. Didn’t’ realise you accounted for every single person. I have tried 3 different GE 4.4.2 roms with KT or orig kernel, and latest or MJ5 bootloader and no luck, random reboots.

  9. mahal naman

  10. I bought a few s4s and have had a good experience with most of them until I dropped it in water, they are not waterproof… Bought mine from http://oetal.com/samsung good prices in autions.

  11. The only thing that interests me on Note 3 Kitkat is ART optimization which should greatly increase battery life.

  12. I am running Touchwiz 4.3 in my S4 and KitKat in my Nexus 2013. I definitely like the Samsung better. I could care less about 4.4. Happy camper.

  13. I am getting sick of these companies unveiling phones every other day. I am done with this. I am going to buy an old android and that is it.

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