Samsung Galaxy S4 is expected to get Android 4.4 KitKat update which may be available before 2013 ends or early 2014 depending on the arrival of Galaxy S5. Other manufacturers have planned their update. Here's what owners of the Galaxy S4 will get out of KitKat.

Release Date

Owners of the Galaxy S4 are not sure when to exactly expect the Android 4.4 Kitkat update for their phones due to lack of a confirmed schedule. As of this writing, Samsung is busy pushing Android 4.3 Jelly Bean among other Galaxy devices such as Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3.

The Galaxy S4 is still enjoying its official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update which will not be completed until December of 2013. HTC, on the other hand, will bring Android 4.4 as its Christmas gift to the owners of its HTC One smartphone.

A possible reason why the update will be delayed is the introduction of the Galaxy S5 as the main carrier of Android 4.4 from Samsung by which a pattern seen in the Galaxy S4 and on the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 and 4.2 updates, respectively.

Being Silent at the Moment

Samsung will 100% surely push an update, but there is little information of when and what comprises the upcoming firmware. Since Samsung is pretty successful and dominant in the Android game, HTC, Motorola and Sony need to double time on pushing their updates soon.

Going by speculations, here are areas of the Galaxy S4 which may get huge changes from Android 4.4:

- TouchWiz UX update

- Enhancements on Galaxy S exclusive apps

- Better handling of memory

- Accurate touch response based on hardware components

- Full integration from Google services such as Ok Google

Taking a Peek

As with the Galaxy S3 and the Note 2 on Android 4.2 and 4.3 Jelly Bean updates, the Samsung Galaxy S4 owners may get ahead once the leaked version of the software appears online. An early test contains the initial build of Android 4.4 KitKat firmware which may include firsthand improvements on apps and features; however, the initial build can also have bugs.

Third party developers with Android 4.4 source code can immediately release custom ROMs for Galaxy S4 owners but won't be able to utilise some apps created by Samsung as they are treated as bloatware.

Google Play Edition

Like with HTC, Google Play edition of the Galaxy S4 may be the first to receive an Android 4.4 KitKat since it is considered as a Nexus device and lacks the TouchWiz UI, making it easier to update.

International Galaxy S4

After the Google Play variant, international version users will get the second round of update which are unlocked and unbranded by network carriers. Samsung pushes out updates easily to this variant because of much lower restrictions with mobile carriers.

United States Owners

After Samsung delivers the firmware to U.S. network carriers, each carrier needs to modify it to add up their own applications and services before being pushed out. Moreover, if any Android 4.2 or Android 4.3 updates are still waiting for release, it is likely to delay Android 4.4 firmware.

Greatest Reward: Galaxy Note 3 Features

Android 4.3 for the Galaxy S3 and the Note 2 received special features found only in the Galaxy S4 and the Note 3 which may actually happen as well with the Galaxy S4. Certain exclusive apps that require gestures and motions from the Galaxy Note 3 can now be incorporated on the Galaxy S4 even without an S Pen.