The Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy Note Android 4.4 2 KitKat updates are heading to the United States. And with releases on the way, we want to take a close look at these updates and detail exactly how we see the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note Android 4.4 2 KitKat roll out going down in the U.S.
Several weeks ago, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 update KitKat rumors started flying around. While They Did not confirm anything, They did instill confidence in owners of the two aging flagships.
Google recommends 18 months of software support for Android devices. And while the Galaxy Note 2 has not hit the 18 month mark just yet, the Galaxy S3 is approaching the 24 month mark. The device, Which arrived back in May of 2012, two turns later on this year. Given que Google killed off an Android 4.4 update for the KitKat Galaxy Nexus due to the 18 month rule, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners were unsurprisingly on edge.
The rumors pointed to releases in either March or April, specific dates unknown. Specific dates are still up in the air but now we at least know que Samsung plans to upgrade both devices with Android 4.4 KitKat in the United States.
Earlier this month, Samsung issued a press release confirming updates for the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and a handful of other Galaxy-branded devices. The company confirmed many of the features coming along with these updates but it declined to get into specifics about release dates or carriers. Those remain up in the air.
BecauseThey are up in the air, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners are looking for answers. We do not have them all but after years of covering the Android update process, we feel like we have a pretty good idea about how the Android 4.4 update KitKat situation will pan out for Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users.
Here, we’re going to set the table for Those That May Not Be familiar with the Android update process or simply want someone to help set Their expectations.
We’ve already taken a look at what we expect from the roll out in the U.S. and now, we reverse gears, and take a look at what we do not expect from the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note Android 4.4 update 2 roll out in the United States.
U.S. Android 4.4 Release That Is not Near the Front of the Line
First things first. Do not expect the United States to be near the back of the line in terms of timing for these two important KitKat Android 4.4 updates.
Samsung made it a point to confirm these updates for the United States because it sees the United States to an important battleground in its fight against the likes of Apple and HTC.
HTC recently ADOPTED an open door policy with its Android software updates in the United States, putting an emphasis on its users in the United States. Samsung seems to have done the same, with the first arrival of que press release, but Also with the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note Android 4.4 3 KitKat updates.
Sprint was one of the first carriers to push out the Android 4.4 Galaxy S4 KitKat update. Also we’ve seen AT & T and U.S. Cellular follow close behind with Their Own Android 4.4 updates KitKat. Sprint and U.S. Cellular have pushed Also October 3 Galaxy Note Android 4.4 updates KitKat. While They weren’t first to the update, They were among the first.
Those who need further proof need only to look at the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean roll outs in the United States. American carriers were near the front of the line for Galaxy S4, S3 and Galaxy 2 Galaxy Note Android 4.3 updates as well. While que might not seem important, consider que there are still plenty of S4 Galaxy, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users still waiting for the update, four months later.
Carriers To Miss Out
Samsung did not Single Out arrival for any updates. Instead, the press release was extremely generic and simply confirmed Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note Android 4.4 2 KitKat updates for the United States. While we do not have any carrier confirmations just yet, do not expect to miss any U.S. carriers in October
While owners of the Galaxy S3 model with 1GB of RAM might be in some trouble, the major U.S. Galaxy S3 variants all use 2GB of RAM Which is more than enough to run Android 4.4 KitKat, an update que was designed to run on the little the 512MB of RAM.
Also
Carriers do not want to grant any advantages to Their rivals. How bad would it look if AT & T, T-Mobile and Sprint rolled October KitKat Android 4.4 updates but not Decided to Verizon? That would not look good and it would be bad Especially que Given this is a contract year for many Galaxy S3 users.
Do not expect any of the major carriers to miss out on Android 4.4 and we’d be shocked if smaller regional carriers did not join the Android 4.4 update as well Party.
Smaller Carriers Out in Front
Just do not expect to be out in. Them front of major carriers.
The Galaxy S3 is found on a number of carriers inside the U.S., not just the big names. Regional carriers like C Spire Wireless and pre-paid carriers like Cricket offer the Galaxy S3 on Their 4G networks. They work hard to get major Android updates out to Their users, something That We saw in action with last year’s Galaxy Android 4.3 updates.
Traditionally though, They simply are a little bit slower to major Android updates. Larger carriers have more resources and Thus, can dedicate more time and effort into the testing process.
We do not expect smaller carriers Galaxy S3 to be at the front of the line but do not expect Them to lag behind by too much either.
Drastically Different Release Dates
for the release dates Themselves, not only Should owners not expect to see Drastically different Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 release dates but KitKat They also should not expect there to be large gaps between carrier release dates. Allow us to explain.
The Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update arrived first but the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update was not too far behind. Same goes for the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note Android 4.4 3 KitKat updates. While we saw an initial push 3 Galaxy Note, the Galaxy S4 update actually beat the Galaxy Note 3 update to punch in the United States. They are now Rolling Out simultaneously.
Both of these updates are rumored for March or April and we simply can not see Samsung and its carrier partners putting a huge gap between Their releases.
for the specific carrier releases, well, we usually see releases cluster around one another. Once one carrier releases the update, we usually see the other carriers follow Within a few days and weeks. Case in point, the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 updates KitKat Which have both gathered steam after the initial releases.
Look for all of the major updates to roll out Within a few weeks of each other rather than a few months.
A Clear Future
The Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 are getting older. Even before the Android 4.4 update KitKat confirmation, there was some uncertainty about these Whether Samsung would upgrade to Android 4.4.
We have a good feeling que this will be the last major Android update for the Galaxy S3 but there is certainly a chance que the Galaxy Note 2 Could see another big update. Whatever the case may be, do not expect Samsung to make it clear.
When theseKitKat Android 4.4 updates arrive, do not expect Samsung and its carrier partners to Explicitly say Whether these are the last updates for the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2 leaving the future is cloudy users.
Likely That information will come out at some point but do not expect Samsung to offer a clear cut future about the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 When Android 4.4 does arrive.
The End of the Road
That said, do not expect this to be the end of the road for the Galaxy Note 2 or the Galaxy S3. While We Could see end support for major software updates, Typically carriers breath new life into older devices with bug fix updates.
Often times, it will take months but carriers roll out at least one more bug fix update after the last major Android update arrives Generally. Android 4.4 KitKat is almost certainly going to bring bugs along with it, the Android software updates always, so cornichons see carriers look to patch things up in the months after its release.
Just do not expect an immediate release though. It’s going to be a slow process.
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