Android 4.4 KitKat Update Coming: Verizon Galaxy S4 Rollout Projected For May 2

Many U.S. carriers updated their Galaxy S4 models to Android 4.4 KitKat up to two months ago, but Verizon customers may have to wait at least two more weeks for the network to update its model.

A leaked internal memo indicates that the Verizon Galaxy S4 may receive the Android 4.4 update on May 2. The origin of the memo cannot be confirmed, but it does appear on schedule with Verizon’s usual update pipeline.

Many devices on Verizon don’t update until well after other carriers have updated their models. This is likely to avoid bugs and other issues that may arise during the early adoption of a new operating system. The Verizon Galaxy S4 was among the first Galaxy models to update to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean last summer and was among the models most negatively affected by post-update issues. However, other devices like the Verizon HTC One saw its Android 4.3 update two months after other carriers. The Verizon LG G2 is now updating to Android 4.4 KitKat after other carrier models updated between February and March. The AT&T, U.S. Cellular and Sprint Galaxy S4 models also updated to Android 4.4 in February and the T-Mobile Galaxy S4 updated in March.

When it updates to Android 4.4 KitKat, the Verizon Galaxy S4 will get various enhancements such as a restyled status and navigation bars, a new full-screen mode, color emoji support, improved closed captioning support, stronger security and smarter power use; the update will also feature a new phone dialer app, a new gallery app and the “touch to focus” option. There will likely also be Verizon specific changes included in the update.

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