Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update Spotted

Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update Spotted

It appears that at least one carrier is planning to release the still unannounced Samsung Galaxy S5Android 4.4.4 KitKat update in the coming days adding even more mystery to a situation that already includes a scheduled Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat release at one carrier.

In June, Google rolled out two brand new Android 4.4 KitKat updates aimed at tackling Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. Android 4.4.3 KitKat first landed in the beginning of June and it delivered a number of big time bug fixes and cosmetic changes to the dialer and the People application found inside the Android operating system. A few days later, Android 4.4.4 KitKat touched down and delivered a crucial security fix.

Since then, we’ve seen manufacturers roll out Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates with the Android 4.4.4 fix on board and Android 4.4.4 updates with the Android 4.4.3 bug fixes on board. And while some manufacturers have been delivering updates to older devices, Samsung, the world’s largest Android manufacturer, has remained relatively silent.

The Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat and Android 4.4.3 KitKat situation has gotten interesting over the past month. It started when Vodafone Australia revealed a plan to roll out a Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update. Shortly after that, Samsung announced the all new Galaxy Alpha with Android 4.4.4 KitKat on board. And then recently, we saw the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Galaxy S5 LTE-A emerge ahead of its arrival.

Today, we’ve spotted another Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update, this one at Australian carrier Optus, a carrier known for releasing Android update information well ahead of time. The carrier says that a Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update has been approved and that Samsung will release it in the coming days.

The carrier does not offer any specific release details nor does it reveal what’s on board this supposed Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update. It only suggests that it’s coming at some point in the near future. It’s important to note that the carrier does make the distinction between different versions of Android 4.4 KitKat so this does not appear to be a typo.

This Galaxy S5 update extremely interesting given Vodafone Australia’s current plans and given that we simply haven’t seen any other carriers confirm a Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat for arrival. Again, Optus is typically ahead of the curve when it comes to announcements so it’s possible that we’re still a little ways away from its arrival.

If the Galaxy S5 does get Android 4.4.4 KitKat, it won’t be the only Galaxy device running Google’s new software. The new Samsung Galaxy Alpha, set to arrive in September, will be running it out of the box and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is expected to run either Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Both updates have been spotted in benchmarks for the upcoming flagship though it’s not clear which it will run.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch date is set for September 3rd and it’s there that we could potentially hear more about Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat for older phones. In the past, Samsung has used the stage to announce its software upgrade plans. Last year, for instance, it announced its Android 4.3 Jelly Bean plans during its Galaxy Note 3 announcement.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat and Android 4.4.3 KitKat aren't the only Android updates Samsung is neglecting. The company still hasn't revealed any details about the Android L update, the Android 4.4 KitKat replacement that’s rumored to be coming out sometime later this year. Android L is available in beta form right now but the popular update still doesn't have a concrete release date.

Samsung typically offers two years of software support which means that phones like the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note 3 should all get Android L updates down the road.