Google's new Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is now rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S3, S4 and S5 to major U.S. carriers.
Recent developments reflect Samsung's effort to push out the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system to its current devices. Naturally, the South Korean tech giant has assigned priority to its flagship phones.
The Android 4.4.4 KitKat update was launched back in June, at around the same time as the Android 4.4.3 KitKat release. Both updates were intended to resolve bug issues associated with Android 4.4.2 KitKat. As a consequence manufacturers have been divided between the two latest Android updates.
Related: Android L Expected to Launch on November 1
Even so, the upcoming Android L operating system is expected replace all previous versions of Android OS. Consumers should be seeing the Android L sometime later this year.
In the following sections, we will examine the current roll out situation for the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the mobile service providers - namely AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Samsung Galaxy S5
At this time, only Verizon has pushed out the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Samsung Galaxy S5.
However, there are still persistent rumors that Sprint will be releasing the Android 4.4.4 KitKat for their Galaxy S5 smartphones. Recently, GottaBeMobile spotted what appears to be a brief mention of an Android 4.4.4 KitKat roll out for the Galaxy S5 on the Sprint website.
AT&T and T-Mobile's Galaxy S5 are still using the older Android 4.4.2 KitKat software.
Samsung Galaxy S4
T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier to roll out the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Galaxy S4. This development occurred fairly recently on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have yet to confirm when their version of the Galaxy S4 will be getting the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update.
Samsung Galaxy S3
For now, Samsung Galaxy S3 users worldwide have yet to receive the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update. Fortunately, Samsung plans to roll out the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Galaxy S3 - albeit to South Korean users first. This information was confirmed by SamMobile, which reported that Samsung will launch the newest Android update over-the-air.
It is more than likely that U.S. carriers will push out the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update to Galaxy S3 owners in coming weeks. Even so, consumers will need to wait for more confirmation information from Samsung. Currently, all Galaxy S3 smartphones in the U.S. are running on the outdated Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system. This situation is true at AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Even though it has already released the Galaxy Note 4, Samsung is making plans to upgrade the older Galaxy Note 3. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Note 3 is still using Android 4.4.2 KitKat at a number of carriers at this moment.
Still, it seems that Sprint will be going ahead with their plans to bring the newer Android 4.4.4 KitKat update to the Galaxy Note 3. This information was first confirmed by Samsung via its official support site.
