Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Note 4, Note 3, Note Edge, and Alpha

By Shawn Schuster
Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy S5

With Nexus devices rumored to get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update as early as next week during the launch of the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, all eyes are on Samsung to see if the Korean manufacturer will follow close behind or wait until later next year to adopt the operating system update.

Android 5.0 Lollipop is already being called Google's most ambitious operating system version to date. It features an improved design, more efficient battery usage, support for a new runtime engine and 64-bit processors, and much more.

Android is currently the world's most widely used OS in the world. That stretches beyond just mobile operating systems; the Android platform outsells Windows, iOS, and Mac OS X combined.

So it would only make sense that companies who utilize the Android OS on their devices would want to get that newest update as soon as possible. Samsung has been notoriously slow with Android updates, but the size and importance of Lollipop may change the company's mind.

The Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3, and Note 2 only just received the Android 4.4 software in June of this year -- seven months after the update's release. The most recent 4.4.4 Kitkat upgrade was only just installed on the latest Samsung devices last month.

The reason for this isn't anything malicious. Samsung, just like all manufacturers using custom Android set-ups, has to update its TouchWiz UI before releasing the newest update to the wild. This involves design, development, testing, and the appropriate carrier-specific review process for each device and network possibility.

Right now, insiders are targeting late November or December for the Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5 to receive the Lollipop update.

SamMobile teased a preview of Lollipop and the new material Design in a video featuring the Samsung Galaxy S5. While the tech news site showed off the newest features, they also admitted that what they had wasn't quite ready for primetime.

But Samsung itself teased Lollipop on its newest flagship tablet, the Galaxy Note 4. "Anyway you look at it, the #GALAXYNote4 Quad HD Super AMOLED display is pretty sweet. #NoteTheDifference," a tweet from last week read.

There is still no official word on Android 5.0 Lollipop's availability on last year's Samsung devices, but a handy chart compiled by The Android Soul shows release predictions based on the company's release history.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories