Android 4.4 KitKat for Samsung Galaxy S4 remains unconfirmed while HTC One, Motorola X and Xperia Z series have been announced to receive their updates very soon. Is Samsung ignoring Android 4.4 update race versus competitors?

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Previous Flagship Devices

Samsung sets update releases on Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean which jumped from Android 4.2 version. Unfortunately, not everyone blessed with Android 4.3 gets the smoothest performance due to the current bug issue on Galaxy S3.

Owners in the United Kingdom have seen issues on the latest firmware update released by Samsung on the Galaxy S3 such as unresponsiveness on the lock screen, erratic Wi-Fi connection, poor battery, system hang ups and removal of battery to restart.

Samsung is sure busy to fix the firmware crisis that supposedly gives enjoyment to users. It is unknown if Galaxy Note 2 owners will also suffer the same issues after updating their phablets to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Samsung Holding the Crown

Samsung remains the most dominant in the Android market share with the Galaxy S series and other Galaxy line of devices. HTC, Motorola and Sony need to use Android 4.4 KitKat to boost sales record attracting more customers and retaining loyal users on using their devices.

Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 are both eligible with Android 4.4 but the company doesn't need to join the update race since Galaxy S5 will definitely carry the flagship by 2014 and another booster factor on the company's sale. Samsung may combine Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 updated to Android 4.4 in order to achieve unbreakable record next year.

Google Play Edition

As a sneak peek, Galaxy S4 Google Play edition owners can get Android 4.4 update with the Nexus-trait privilege. It features pure Vanilla UI without any TouchWiz UI services and only using Google apps. The Google Play edition will display the capability of Android 4.4 powered Galaxy S4 on how smooth and powerful it is.

Mid-Range and Low-Level Galaxy Line

Just like with Android 4.2, Samsung may be planning to create brand new Galaxy phones that are middle to low range category running Android 4.4 KitKat. As an example, Galaxy Ace 3 boasts of 1 GB of RAM and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean supported by dual-core processors. But Android 4.4 KitKat only requires 512 MB of RAM to run which means Galaxy Ace 4 may be coming next year running latest Android version.

Integrating TouchWiz

We don't know what's behind the curtains at Samsung and the company may be starting to fully integrate TouchWiz UI and services to latest Android 4.4. Successful integration may benefit Galaxy device owners in several aspects of the TouchWiz UI:

- Smoother response

- More stable than before

- Faster performance

- Becomes lightweight on the RAM

- Better multi-tasking than ever

Samsung Galaxy S4 owners should wait till December for an official announcement of the upcoming update. Samsung isn't going to let Android 4.4 slip away because it is a selling point for Galaxy S4.