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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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Looking forward to the updates....
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So...if my Note 3 was bought sim free and unlocked would I expect to get Lollipop sooner?
(I really am unsure of how this works) 
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Yep 
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@Cleoriff wrote:
So...if my Note 3 was bought sim free and unlocked would I expect to get Lollipop sooner?
(I really am unsure of how this works)
It's likely that would be correct - typically speaking, open market handsets can get updates sooner than network supplied ones, though there are occasions where our network update can be out before the open market ones. As you can see sometimes the 'logistics' of software updates can be a little topsy-turvy.
Just to clarify though, it doesn't look like Samsung have started pushing any updates out for the Note 3 in the UK yet - a Google search seems to suggest it may be pushing out in Russia (we have no official details on any rollouts outside UK) which is good news but it can take vendors weeks and into the month(s) before their rollouts spread across all markets. It's not unusual for vendors to launch updates into a small number of markets to test the waters several days/weeks before they consider a full rollout - this gives them an opportunity for real-world customer usage to see if there's any major issues with it.
Another thing to consider are bugs - while an extreme example, take the Note II for instance - the open market update had a rather large Bluetooth bug that caused many issues for people who used Bluetooth devices. The update that we got Samsung to push out for us included a fix for this bug.
Long story short: While I understand the need/desire for many to get the update ASAP/immediately, it doesn't always pay off. Bugs do happen and sometimes they're found soon enough in open market updates that we can get them patched for our own update. So there are of course merits to both 🙂
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There is no need to worry on my account @Chris_K I wont be looking to push an update onto my Note 3 anytime soon.. 
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@Anonymous wrote:
You've not been given ETA for Uk versions... This makes no sense as Vodafone note 3 already has lolipop. (Released before the OP post was made)
www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/ has list as released already on vodafone.
Samsung have already started note 3 lollipop updates globally, and already with one carrier in UK. How is it that o2 don't know this but android fans do?
Can people please use reliable sources of information for firmware updates... As it has been released way further a field than just a variant in Russia (Looking at you O2 mods using generic Google search)
We can't comment on other networks, only that we have not yet received any UK/European version from Samsung for testing - nor have we been given any ETA to receive this. As mentioned in the original post i'll be monitoring the situation and will update when the situation changes.
