Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade from Samsung is currently available to the Galaxy Note 3 and soon to Galaxy S4. Galaxy S3 and Note 2 have been nominated to get the latest Android version among other selected devices for 2014 but what is the current status and when will it possibly become available?

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Galaxy S3 and Note 2 current software update is Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and basically seeding on various regions around the world. Official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for both devices feature the following changes:

1. Samsung Galaxy Gear support

2. Samsung Knox security support

3. ART and TRIM support for faster performance

4. Updated core UI elements based from Galaxy S4

5. New Samsung virtual keyboard

6. Upgraded GPU drivers

7. New lock screens such as multiple widgets and improved ripple effect

8. New screen modes like Adapt Display and Professional Photo

9. Daydream screensaver from Android 4.2 and 4.3 Jelly Bean

10. Actionable notifications

11. Move to SD card feature

12. New add-ons in the notification centre

13. Tabbed interface found in Galaxy S4

14. New implementations of Voice Controls

15. Updated Samsung apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music

16. New S Voice feature

However, some reports of bugs and issues have been found in forums on network carriers in the United States related to keyboard, lock screen, wireless connection and battery drain.

Presumed Release Date

Early reports revealed the expected release date of Android 4.4 KitKat for Galaxy S3 and Note 2 this year. Based on leaked information, both devices are going to get the latest OS staring from March to April along with other selected devices such as Galaxy S4 and S3 Minis.

But another rumour indicate that the software may come out sooner than expected. According to the information received by Android Geeks from a Samsung software engineer, the rollout may begin at the end of Q1 2014 right after the official upgrades for Galaxy S4 and Note 3.

Features You Should Expect?

So far, Samsung haven't revealed details of Android 4.4 KitKat software for Galaxy S3 and Note 2. But you can tell something will change once Samsung official seeds the new firmware. Pro editions of larger Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab have revealed an all-new TouchWiz UI with magazine style, new icon packs and new notifications display on Android 4.4.

It is expected that this kind of UI will become a part of Galaxy S4 and Note 3 running the upcoming update and could also be available for Galaxy S3 and Note 2 which happened on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean porting.

Additional default features such as better multitasking, updated Linux kernel and battery enhancements are also probable on Galaxy S3 and Note 2 upcoming Android 4.4 upgrade.

Rollout Regions

Samsung randomly seed updates and the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 firmware started in Poland. United States owners of Galaxy S3 and Note 2 are likely to get it a month after other regions have been seeded. Sometimes, network carriers handle update push to their customers due to some needed configuration exercised.

As of now, owners may really need to wait from March to April for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update might end at late February depending on fast network carriers seed the firmware or if any major bugs are needed to be fixed immediately.