Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505): Review of Changes and New Features

Although it is not only the Samsung Galaxy S4 but also the Samsung Galaxy S5 that will be officially receiving Android 5.0 Lollipop updates, users who own the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) have more to rejoice about.

That's because the Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) will get a lot more than what the Samsung Galaxy S5 will, in terms of changes. Both models will enjoy Lollipop's features, but on top of that, the Galaxy S4 will have its TouchWiz UX replaced by the more current version that is sported by the Galaxy S5.

Before Lollipop, Galaxy S4 users are already familiar with using Kitkat. Now, with the coming official Android 5.0 update, the Galaxy S4 user experience will be redefined.

The change will include wallpapers that are available for the home screen as well as a redesign of the settings, dialer and messaging apps.

With the major changes come some required adjustments on the part of the users of Galaxy S4. It's almost like using a new mobile phone altogether since the changes in the S4 are bigger compared to other updates that Samsung has previously released for its other device models.

The official Android 5.0 firmware update (the latest Lollipop build) is said to be coming out in December this year, ahead of the earlier rumored 2015 release.

As always, it is best to wait for the official firmware update, no matter how exciting the update can be, particularly for Galaxy S4 users. But for those who are very eager to try out the changes that will be brought by the Lollipop update, there's a custom Android firmware, namely the CyanogenMod12, which can be used.

Just be reminded that with an official release, users could experiences some problems like bugs and other related issues including unexpected hangs.