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Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S4 both receive unofficial AOSP-based Android 5.0 Lollipop builds!

posted by Peter K. / Nov 18, 2014, 3:02 AM

Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S4 both receive unofficial AOSP-based Android 5.0 Lollipop builds!

One cannot simply disregard the popularity of Samsung's flagship smartphone line. They usually sell in millions, and the latest representatives of the family (the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4) were no different - you can find these handsets in quite many pockets around the world. Thus, it's more than normal that these devices have large developer bases backing them up. And, normally, that's a good thing.

Those who own either the Galaxy S5 or the Galaxy S4 (or why not both?) and have eyeing Android 5.0 Lollipop with pure and untainted pleasure will probably release a brief cry of joy when they find out that the first custom Lollipop firmwares of the sweety OS are already available for their devices - we are talking about several Galaxy S5 variants (SM-G900I, SM-G0900F, and SM-G900M) and the Qualcomm version of the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505). The whole courtesy for this goes to the developers at XDA, who have been working hard of late.

We've already seen Samsung's take on Lollipop for the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy S4 in a couple of exclusive previews, but we'll have to wait for these a little longer. Meanwhile, the Google Play Edition of the Galaxy S4 will most probably be among the first Samsung devices to receive a fully working Android 5.0 build.

Samsung Galaxy S5 running AOSP-based Android 5.0 Lollipop

These early unofficial firmwares for both devices are based both on AOSP and an alpha CyanogenMod 12 build, mind you. Naturally, these come with a hefty amount of bugs and a number of fundamental features are not working at the time of writing. This exact Android 5.0 Lollipop build for the Galaxy S5 is a tad more stable, as only the camera and NFC are not working; in the meantime, the older S4 warrior is currently suffering from non-functional external storage, GPS, IR blaster, NFC, RIL, and sound - it goes without saying that these flaws deem the builds non-compliant for daily drivers (at the moment, that is).

Samsung Galaxy S4 running unofficial CyanogenMod 12

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source: XDA (1), (2)

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19 Comments

1. DogeShibe

Posts: 1121; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

Good.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:04 AM 1

2. AlikMalix unregistered

So, please explain to me.. are these updates ready for me to install on a Verizon/ATT Samsung S4/S5? or do I have to wait for carriers to do their thing first, and if so, for how long usually?

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:07 AM 0

3. PeterK.

Posts: 314; Member since: Nov 13, 2013

Generally speaking, you can, but it is highly inadvisable. You'll have to wait a little longer if you are looking for a stable, bug-free Lollipop experience. Lollipop-based TouchWiz for the international Galaxy S5 could roll out by the end of the year (early 2015 for the international Galaxy S4, most probably), and carriers will most probably delay the rollout even further.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:14 AM 0

7. AlikMalix unregistered

Thanks. So the answer is NO, this news for updating these phones are not really news for updating this phones... I appreciate a reply, Peter. I'll stick to iOS..

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:28 AM 0

9. PeterK.

Posts: 314; Member since: Nov 13, 2013

You're welcome.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:39 AM 0

14. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Lol I love how you had to play that whole story out to get your fanboy fix. Regardless, on to the point, it doesn't matter when you get your Android update largely because compared to iOS you already have everything and more with anything ICS and up. Then, it is the same as getting your update 1 year from the last update, like iOS. If people got their KitKat update in lets say April of 2014, then if you get Lollipop by April of 2015 you're pretty much on the same schedule as iOS (WP doesn't have a fixed schedule so can't really compare yet). In the end, at least the Android updates don't cripple your device (can you really call them "up"dates then). I would rather have a functional device than a crippled mess forcing me to buy the next model. With iOS devices you get 1 update in its lifetime and the rest are downgrades to force you to buy another iDevice. Plus, you don't even get all the features your phone is capable of because they like to restrict those features to newer devices to once again, force you to buy another. So yea, stick to iOS, because I assume you are a classic iOS user and can turn a blind eye to repeatedly getting shafted software and hardware wise. Apple is now the king of bad OS software with the latest version having more problems (major bricking level problems) than any other platform now and we've all seen the amazing hardware do its contortionist routine.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 6:14 AM 0

17. AlikMalix unregistered

No bro, I was just wondering because I see these news almost weekly on PA and I tell my friends that their updat is coming in a week and guess what - a week goes by, a month, a year and no update!!! Play out my story? I had to play out a hypothetical question so that Ivan finally get a clear answer. But all this s**t you vomited on your post was wrong. Test there are people experiencing issues with some updates (which get patched in days) but overall nearly all people have no issues look at forums where apple users hang out. Also on PA there are a lot of people (and I've checked) that post how they have major problems with their iPhones but in other posts say they never owned one. Bottom line, I asked a legitimate question - yes I troll android news for fun sometimes, but I point out that I'm trolling and usually for fun. What u have just confirmed with your rant that yes android users still wait inexcusable time for updates. But don't act like android updates or new versions aren't riddled with problems. It's really easy to find anything from camera issues, battery problems, screen issues, bugs, malware, wifi, bloat ware, lag, stutter, built quality, customer service problems... I see them all. But unlike you, I understand that 90% people go to forums to complain about problems not praise the product it's the same for iOS and android and etc. not many people take their time to go online and post that their devices are running fine, but I'd u got a little problem - the Internet is your shoulder to cry on (once again, it goes for all Apple, android, Toyota, and etc).

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 1:09 PM 0

18. symphony

Posts: 1; Member since: Nov 18, 2014

So you asked this question cause you keep telling your friends about the updates which never come on time. Yet you add to your reply "I appreciate a reply, Peter. I'll stick to iOS.." 1. What does your ducking to iOS have in relation for telling your friends about android updates? 2. You were expecting no aggressive reply by stating that? Sounds like trolling to me

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 6:08 PM 0

6. Planterz

Posts: 2120; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

These are not updates, they're custom ROMs. On the Verizon/AT&T S4, custom ROMs are only flashable if you unlocked the bootloader on a previous version. I don't know specifics, but if you're up to date, you're SOL. Lollipop ROMs aren't available for them yet anyway. On the VZW/AT&T S5, the bootloader is locked, and custom ROMs are impossible without Safestrap. No Lollipop ROMs anyway. If you didn't understand what I just said, then you're out of your depth, but that's OK. You'll just have to wait until Samsung/AT&T/Verizon release their updates.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:25 AM 1

8. AlikMalix unregistered

Thanks Planterz. But in your honest opinion, based on your quote "You'll just have to wait until Samsung/AT&T/Verizon release their updates", how long will it take for this to happen? How long will it take for my buddy to get an update that he can download without "flashing" or "unlocking" anything, just simple TAP and 2 minutes later, you got Lollipop!

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:31 AM 0

10. Planterz

Posts: 2120; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

How long? Beats the hell out of me. First Samsung has to make their update, then VZW/AT&T have to inject it with their bloatware crap. It could be a few months, or even several months. The S4 will undoubtedly take longer than the S5. However, both companies still sell the S4 (and S5, obviously), so it'd be in their interest to expedite an update for these very popular phones, and maybe Lollipop will come sooner than expected.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:47 AM 1

12. Cicero

Posts: 1136; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

It will take around 8 to 12 months after original release like ios. You complain to much about things to much spoken about. Enjoy your life with your chosen device.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 4:48 AM 0

16. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

On a flagship? BS.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 8:23 AM 0

15. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

I've downloaded the preview builds before and they were stable enough for daily usage. Give it a try if your phone is already rooted.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 8:22 AM 0

4. AlbertAribe

Posts: 168; Member since: Jun 21, 2014

Really? They announced l I just updated my iPhone 6 to 8.1.1 version now.

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:17 AM 1

5. droidgoms

Posts: 17; Member since: Oct 26, 2013

Guys nokia n1 is comming android 5.0 running tablet

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 3:23 AM 2

11. LetsBeHonest

Posts: 1548; Member since: Jun 04, 2013

Yeah... Really unexpected. Nokia lives on....

posted on Nov 18, 2014, 4:25 AM 0

13. Ardalan.PER

Posts: 3; Member since: Oct 02, 2014

Note 3 also got it 2 days ago , and for the first built its really stable and usable and most of the stuff are working Here is the link : forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/development/rom-cyanogenmod-12-lollipop-build-1-16-t2942687