Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat Update Finally Released on Verizon
The Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update was finally released to Verizon customers this week.
The carrier was the last of the majors to roll it out for the Samsung flagship device. It is not available OTA yet so users will have to use Samsung KIES or Verizon's Software Upgrade Assistant to receive it.
The update should take about 30 minutes to download and install. The OTA version should be available in a few more days.
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Certain Galaxy S3 models will not receive the Android 4.4 KitKat update.
Sam Mobile reports that the non-LTE Galaxy S3 model along with the mini version will not receive KitKat because they only feature 1GB of RAM. This will not be enough for it to run all of Samsung's TouchWiz additions that come along with it.
Samsung issued a statement on the matter.
"In order to facilitate an effective upgrade on the Google platform, various hardware performances such as the memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), multi-tasking capabilities, and display must meet certain technical expectations," wrote the company.
"The Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions come equipped with 1GB RAM, which does not allow them to effectively support the platform upgrade. Samsung has decided not to roll-out the KitKat upgrade to [them]," they continued.
Even with those devices not getting it, the Galaxy S3 LTE model will still receive KitKat in the near future since it packs the 2GB of RAM that are necessary for it to run efficiently.
The Galaxy Note 2 LTE and Galaxy S3 LTE are expected to get the update this month. The Galaxy Mega 5.8, Galaxy Mega 6.3, Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy S4 Mini LTE will receive it sometime in June.
The Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is already available for Sprint users. Changes made to the handset should be similar to what KitKat brought to other smartphones such as the Galaxy S4.
