Samsung unveils Android 4.4 KitKat update plans and devices, roll out starts today in the US

posted by Victor H. / Feb 18, 2014, 8:29 AM

Samsung unveils Android 4.4 KitKat update plans and devices, roll out starts today in the US

Samsung has just unveiled the full list of devices that will get updated to Android KitKat, and confirmed that updates start rolling out today.

The Korean company will update its smartphones and tablets directly to Android 4.4.2 (skipping 4.4 and 4.4.1), the latest KitKat version that has ironed out the minor issues in the original 4.4 release.

Right below is a list of Samsung devices in the US that are now officially confirmed to get updated to the latest sweet Android treat:

Galaxy Note 3
Galaxy Note II
Galaxy S4
Galaxy S4 mini
Galaxy S4 Active
Galaxy S4 Zoom
Galaxy S III
Galaxy S III mini
Galaxy Mega
Galaxy Light
Galaxy Note 8.0
Galaxy Tab 3 (7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch editions)
Galaxy Note 10.1
Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)

The most impatient of you can check manually for the update by going into:

Settings -> More -> scroll down to ‘About device’ -> Software Update -> Check for updates

All else, however, should not worry as the update will pop up automatically on their devices when it’s ready (chances are this will happen in a few days or even weeks, since the roll-out is gradual). The update happens over the air (OTA), so the only thing that you’d have to do once it’s available is to accept it, and wait for the files to download and install. Also, make sure that your phone battery is full when you start the update. Finally, do keep in mind that some carriers are slower in validating Android updates, and if you own a carrier-branded phone, the update might be slightly delayed.

If you have gotten the KitKat update already, do let us know in the comments below and feel free to send us a tip with screenshots as well.

Samsung Confirms KitKat for U.S. Smartphones and Tablets
DALLAS, February 18, 2014 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that a number of Samsung Galaxy® devices will receive the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) software update, enriching the Galaxy experience.
The upgrade provides a number of innovative, easy-to-use features that enhance the user experience, including a more intuitive user interface, enhanced messaging capabilities and updated applications:
Location Menu: An integrated location menu enables users to easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously checking the battery usage of apps running location service capabilities.
Enhanced Messaging: Enables users to choose between Messages or Hangouts as their preferred default messaging application, and select from a larger assortment of updated Emoji icons.
Upgraded Google Mobile Service™ (GMS) apps: Users can automatically back up photos and video and can open, view, rename and share Google Docs and files.
Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note® 3, Galaxy Note® II, Galaxy S® 4, Galaxy S® 4 mini™, Galaxy S® 4 Active™, Galaxy S® 4 zoom™, Galaxy S® III, Galaxy S® III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note® 8.0, Galaxy Tab® 3, Galaxy Note® 10.1, Galaxy Note® 10.1 2014 Edition.
Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.

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72 Comments

1. 0

Posts: 242; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Already got KitKat on my note 3

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:37 AM 4

2. _Bone_

Posts: 2155; Member since: Oct 29, 2012

How's it in terms of performance, like UI smootheness, battery and whatnot?

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:38 AM 3

5. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

Waiting for Kitkat on my Note 3, propably coming soon.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:39 AM 0

29. 0

Posts: 242; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Performance is hugely improved , it feels faster , better benchmarks , apps launch faster , unlocks faster . There are a lot more ram available UI smoothness ? On 4.3 the note 3 doesnt feel as smooth as nexus 5 :-( , kitkat fixed that , even though heavy touchwiz is still here Battery life is slighty shorter , just slightly . But sadly touchwiz managed to remove some of the features of kitkat , like ART , dialer . Launcher and all samsung apps looks the same as before although they look flatter from AOSP 4.3 to 4.4 . There is a new swipe to the camera shortcut on the bottom right of the lockscreen , which is kinda pointless as i could swipe the the right to access the camera anyways , ( the new shortcut is prone to accidental opening the camera when i unlock my phone ) I use Nova launcher/Google experience launcher , Google keyboard , kitkat clock from AOSP to make the most out of kitkat . BTW , you notice that on 4.3 you could use whatsapp via Pen window ? That has been removed

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 10:38 AM 2

34. Jayshmay

Posts: 82; Member since: Mar 27, 2011

Yes! Feedback is always nice. Any performance differences?

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 10:57 AM 1

68. tenho1982

Posts: 68; Member since: Dec 29, 2013

Not really impressive to you but I'm dying for Samsung's KitKat just because it has the built-in keyboard for Japanese and some East Asian languages (this means the switching between these keyboards are so much faster and easier than before). As a side note, the original KitKat I got on my Nexus doesn't have the built-in Japanese IME. Also the new Note application for my Notes has more functionalities in Galaxy's KitKat as well. Got Kitkat on Note 3 last month and really liked it.

posted on Feb 20, 2014, 10:19 AM 0

24. Carlitos

Posts: 664; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

Which carrier?

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 9:52 AM 0

27. 0

Posts: 242; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

International unlocked n9005 :-)

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 10:31 AM 2

3. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

Pretty good amount of devices, though too many (even relatively new) phones are left out.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:38 AM 0

4. Tech_Junkie1996

Posts: 43; Member since: Aug 29, 2013

Please tell me that the Tab 3 7.0 is for the WiFi version too. It desperately needs it since it as weaker than the LTE version.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:38 AM 0

7. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

I'm 90% sure that it will get it, they would put "3G/LTE version only" if it didn't.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:44 AM 0

6. mturby unregistered

so, google lost his time working on a 512 RAM capable android update. and for most of the smartphone users get this update, they need to pay over $300 for a phone. bad samsung bad...otherwise stick with my dualcore/1 gb ram, 4.5 in screen crappy phone....sammy, u should copy apple when it comes to updates...not only fingerprints sensor like u will now. hope apple sues u for 6 billions.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:43 AM 4

30. techaman unregistered

stupid little man dont you know anything apple copied finger print from moto atrix 4g and laptops htc did finger print scan apple copied samsung with plastic phone and android with notification and are using samsungs frand patterns for its 3g tech. maybe if you could afford a good phone you would not be bitchin about this.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 10:39 AM 11

57. willard12 unregistered

You do know that apple doesn't give all or most of the features to older devices when it updates.

posted on Feb 19, 2014, 1:05 AM 0

8. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

On an unrelated note, I don't get why companies increase prices for phones with newer software

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:48 AM 1

12. Victor.H

Posts: 1056; Member since: May 27, 2011

Care to elaborate what you mean?

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:54 AM 1

19. Just.Saying

Posts: 132; Member since: Apr 04, 2013

In my country, the xperia V with jelly bean is R220 ( $20) per month on contact, including all costs. Cariers also have them with ICS for only $15 on the same package.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 9:21 AM 0

69. tenho1982

Posts: 68; Member since: Dec 29, 2013

Wow. That is ridiculous. Is that because of Sony or Android?

posted on Feb 20, 2014, 10:23 AM 0

48. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

Phones with a newer version of Android, say Android 4.3, is priced higher than phones with an older version of Android, say Android 4.1. Actually it's more towards Chinese-made phones

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 7:55 PM 0

9. god996

Posts: 34; Member since: Oct 27, 2013

Seriously, S3 mini gets KitKat and S2 doesn't?

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:49 AM 2

11. Victor.H

Posts: 1056; Member since: May 27, 2011

I guess it's because of how old it is, not hardware. Most manufacturers have agreed to deliver updates to devices for 18 months, and the S2 just falls out.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 8:53 AM 0

21. Wiki_jaan

Posts: 704; Member since: Jun 24, 2012

even s3 is out of 18mnth limit

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 9:35 AM 5

26. g2a5b0e unregistered

That's because no one seems to understand that the 18 months is a minimum, not a maximum. OEM's can update their phones for as long as they'd like.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 10:12 AM 0

71. Berzerk000

Posts: 4275; Member since: Jun 26, 2011

Not exactly. They're limited to the SoC vendors when it comes to updates. Manufacturers like Samsung and Apple who make their own SoC can update their devices for as long as the chip is capable of running the software.

posted on Feb 20, 2014, 5:48 PM 0

31. techaman unregistered

but s3 is one of the biggest owned phones on s line. s2 is not most s2 people got s4 or s3 and the rest of use who got s3 seen no reason to get s4 and are waiting to see what s5 will be like my s3 has 2 gig ram and good for another year or 2 if i wanted.

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 10:41 AM 2

53. 0

Posts: 242; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Some of the mid range crap don't deserve to be on the list

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 11:36 PM 0

51. 0

Posts: 242; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

GS2 is faster and better than the GS3 mini in every way !!! This is not fair

posted on Feb 18, 2014, 11:34 PM 0

72. Berzerk000

Posts: 4275; Member since: Jun 26, 2011

But the GS2 uses the Snapdragon S3 chip in some markets, which Qualcomm dropped support for, so Samsung couldn't develop a 4.4 update for it even if they wanted to.