While the Google Play edition of the Galaxy S 4 was updated to Android 4.4 back in November and has since been bumped up to Android 4.4.2, Samsung hasn't said much about when we can expect the TouchWizzed versions of its flagship smartphone to get the same treatment. The good news for KitKat-hungry Galaxy S 4 owners is that the rumor mill isn't quite as tight-lipped.
Today a test version of the international Galaxy S 4's (GT-I9505) Android 4.4 firmware was posted online by SamMobile. The update features the build number KOT49H.I9505XXUFNA1, and while there's still plenty of TouchWiz to be found, there are also a few KitKat tweaks that shine through, like the set of white icons in the status bar. After using the test firmware for five days, SamMobile claims that the update also includes slightly improved performance, a better landscape version of Samsung's virtual keyboard and a lock screen camera shortcut.
The Galaxy S 4 was one of the biggest smartphones of 2013, and so it's no surprise that Samsung's got an update to Android 4.4 in the works for the flagship device. It is nice to get an early preview of some of the tweaks that Samsung is planning to include, though, and while there don't appear to be any earth-shattering changes so far, small tweaks like the white status bar icons and lock screen camera shortcut are welcome sights.
There haven't been any official announcements regarding the Galaxy S 4's Android 4.4 update or when it'll begin rolling out to users, but it's rumored that the push could begin in February or March. If you're rocking a GT-I9505 model Galaxy S 4 and don't feel like waiting that long, well, you don't have to: the test firmware is now available for download. As for the folks that own other Galaxy S 4 variants, there are plenty of screenshots available at the link below to keep you busy while we wait for news on this update to come down the pipe from Samsung and the carriers.
Via SamMobile
