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As I've been asked in different threads around the status of Lollipop for these devices I tought it'd be best to keep everything in the one spot for all members to find easily and to get the latest status on these.
Note 3 & 4
We're currently in posession of the latest Lollipop update for the Note 3 & Note 4 and are extensively testing these to ensure our customers have the best possible experience with it.
S5
We're in receipt of a small maintenance update for the S5 that returns the mute button that many have been asking for. This has now been fully tested and approved by us and returned to Samsung to be scheduled for release. At present we hope for an early-to-mid April push.
S4 (info below added 3rd April)
We've now approved Lollipop for the S4 i9505 model. We are also in receipt of the update for the S4 i9515 model which we'll be looking to begin testing next week, so we're hoping both these S4 updates will come out around the same sort of time, over the next few weeks...
S5 Mini & Alpha
At present we are not aware of Samsungs current plans to bring Lollipop to these devices. That's of course not to say it won't happen - it will, but we've not been given any ETA's for UK versions. We'll be sure to keep everyone updated as and when that info changes - i'll be updating this thread and adding new replies as and when, so please subscribe to this thread if you want updates on this.
18th March Update
Hi all. Our apologies for the lack of updates but we wanted to update you on the current state of play.
What’s with the ‘delay’?
We want to emphasise that both we and Samsung strive for all updates to have the best possible user experience. If you remember back to the recent S5 Lollipop update, unfortunately a small number of customers had a negative experience and that’s not something either of us want for our customers. That being said, our tests for these new updates are extensive and thorough – if Samsung aren’t happy with results, they may delay the update and look to send us a new one. If we’re not happy with it, we will update Samsung on our results and may look for a fix.
O2 'Extras'
This isn’t just about O2 splash screens or O2 apps – implementing those changes takes very little time or effort and certainly doesn’t delay updates. The majority of time these updates are with us are on user experience testing and to monitor for any issues the software may have with our network – eg, switching 4G on/off, network interface issues etc.
What now?
We currently have the latest Lollipop updates from Samsung for the Note 3 and Note 4. We’re also testing a maintenance release for the S5 that will return the mute button many of you have been asking for (the mute button will also be there for the Note 3 & 4). We would love to say these updates will be available in ‘x’ days/weeks but the reality is, we can never be certain. Unforeseen issues can happen and that may impact a release date – whether it’s Samsung who spot an issue or us. All we can promise is that we’re doing all we can to ensure you have a positive experience with the update.
27th March Update
Good news, today we've officially approved the S5 maintenance release and have sent the approved update to Samsung. Providing they don't encounter any unforseen issues with this update, we estimate and hope this should start pushing out to customers within the next week or two - so early/mid April.
If we become aware of any issues or delays with this M/R, i'll keep you updated
30th March Update
Indeed - some fresh news this morning to share with our Note 3 and Note 4 users - the latest Lollipop update has now been approved on our end and returned to Samsung to schedule for release. Providing no unforeseen issues are encountered, we're hoping you should see this update start pushing out over the next week or two, though it could be a bit sooner... If we get a date or closer estimate (or any delays), we'll keep you posted.
S5 users - the maintenance release is currently scheduled to push out tomorrow but I must stress that release dates for software are not like release dates for movies... They can shift, change, skew, delay (more often at least anyway)... Things are looking good though so eyes peeled!
3rd April Update
We've now approved Lollipop for the S4 i9505 model. We are also in receipt of the update for the S4 i9515 model which we'll be looking to begin testing next week, so we're hoping both these S4 updates will come out around the same sort of time, over the next few weeks... April's looking like a hot month for Samsung updates!
7th April Update
Some good news - and hopefully the news the majority of you have been looking forward to... The Lollipop is now out for Note 3 & S4 (i9505) users. If you're not seeing the update available, try checking for updates manually and failing that, try updating via USB cable / KIES.
Note 4? We're hoping for this to go live towards the end of this week.
8th May Update
Hey folks, new information straight from my inbox... Hopefully the news some of you were after.
S4 i9195 - The new update should be going live from today, if not already. Remember if you don't see this available right away as an OTA update, to consider trying via KIES or to wait a few days for it to saturate.
A3, A5 & Alpha - It's coming... We expect to receive this soon and will be testing this over the next couple of weeks with the hope if the update being available towards the end of the month providing there are no complications or delays... I'll keep you updated.
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@TopperGas wrote:
Thanks for the update Chris, surely you can give some idea of the minimum time the testing will take, then at least we can forget checking the forum daily?
Also, have you any idea why Samsung haven't sent you the S4 FW when the unbranded FW has now been released in the UK?
Providing we don't run into any unforeseen issues with our testing, and providing Samsung don't spot anything concerning them with their own tests, then I think an April push should be realistic. That being said if you asked us the same question last month, we may have said March seemed likely. Basically, we don't want to get anyones hopes up but for the time being, April looks like it could be good, and hopefully towards the start of it.
Regards to the S4, we're hoping to receive it for testing this month - next week, sometime. Remember the official Samsung firmwares are often available before it is sent to networks. Amongst others, this gives Samsung a real world sense of how the update is being received and if there are any issues that wasn't spotted during their tests before it reaches the networks (where most users will receive their updates)
@Anonymous wrote:
Ok thanks for clarification so have o2 got it or when do they get it. If not chase Sammy up its just a piece of software all of which carry bugs since the dawn of time no matter how much testing you do.
While it's true that most softwares do contain bugs (it's unlikely any update will ever be 100% bug free), we and Samsung do take great care with testing updates and implementing any necessary fixes so that you don't have a poor experience. If there was a bug that wiped all data on your handset for instance, that's something we'd never knowingly release to customers. While an extreme example, these are things we look out for - in the end, it all serves to make sure you have a good experience.
With regards to chasing Samsung - our device team are in regular talks with them. It's not as simple as just telling them to give us the software and then we push it to customers unfortunately.
