Samsung Set to Deploy Key Lime Pie to Galaxy S4 and Select Galaxy Models Only – Report
Samsung intends to selectively deploy the upcoming Key Lime Pie from Google, a new report said, and only a few select high-end Galaxy models will eventually chew in the Android 5.0 once it hits the update channel.
In a prelist of devices published by SamMobile, the usual suspects occupied the would-be KLP recipients, led by the newly-unveiled Galaxy S4, its predecessor the Galaxy S3, the Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy Note 10.1 and the soon-to-be released Galaxy Note 8.0.
The same report also indicated that Samsung intends to dispatch the latest JellyBean 4.2.2 to its mix of mid-range and low-end Galaxy smartphones and that will be it. The tech giant will stop at JellyBean but will likely continue providing its own firmware version of the mobile platform that powers up the handsets.
Specifically, Samsung will allow the further development of its Premium Suite that comes hardwired to the higher versions of its TouchWiz smartphone skin.
According to SamMobile, the following handsets will skip out on KLP but will get continuous in-house support from Samsung:
- GT-I9080 - Galaxy Grand
- GT-I9082 - Galaxy Grand DUOS
- GT-I8160 - Galaxy Ace 2
- GT-I8190 - Galaxy S III mini
- GT-I8350 - Galaxy Beam
- GT-I8730 - Galaxy Express
- GT-I9070 - Galaxy S Advance
- GT-I9100 - Galaxy S II
- GT-I9105 - Galaxy S II Plus
- GT-I9260 - Galaxy Premier
- GT-N7000 - Galaxy Note
- GT-S6310 - Galaxy Young
- GT-S6312 - Galaxy Young DUOS
- GT-S6810 - Galaxy Fame
- GT-S7710 - Galaxy X Cover 2
The list somehow hints that Samsung fans wishing to get a taste of the upcoming Google mobile platform refresh will have to steer away from these Galaxy models lest they will be stuck with JellyBean.
However, the same report claimed that both lists are preliminary and the chance remains that Samsung will eventually allow the deployment of Key Lime Pie to most of its Galaxy handsets, especially with the newer units and have the hardware specs to accommodate the KLP.
Google is believed to uncloak its latest baby on May this year and it should hit the airwaves shortly after the company-sponsored I/O developers' conference, regularly staged each year by the internet giant.
But as in previous releases, it takes a bit more time for device manufacturer to adjust the latest Android versions for their respective firmware updates and Samsung, despite its stature, is not an exception.
The safest bet for the KLP to be delivered on Galaxy devices would be Q4 2013 at the earliest, experts said.