• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

International i9506 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

ironass

Extreme Android User
Aug 17, 2010
12,770
6,355
Cotswolds, England
"What", I hear some of you saying, "there's a 3rd International edition of the Galaxy S4!"

There most certainly is. The beefed up GT-i9506 with a 2.3GHz, quad core, CPU. Full spec's, here...

Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4

Released in Q3 of 2013 in selected countries, including, UK, Australia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Czech Republic, Germany, Nordic Countries, Singapore, New Zealand and France this model originally came with Android 4.4.2 and has since received an update to 4.3. However, to-date, that is where the story ends for the GT-i9506.

Whilst most of the other 2 International models of the Galaxy S4, GT-i9505 and GT-i9500, have received over 160 KitKat firmware releases worldwide, so far, the GT-i9506 has yet to see one KitKat firmware.

Considering that I have now been on KitKat, Android 4.4.2, for over 5 months and am now looking forward to the imminent release of Android 4.4.3, it seems strange that this model is still on Jelly Bean.

There is now some speculation that the GT-i9506 may even leap frog 4.4.2 altogether and go straight to the Android 4.4.3 release in due course.

In the meantime, it does appear that the 3rd International model is a, "Cinderella", in more than one respect.

Should there be any Android 4.4.2 releases for the GT-i9506, I will update this thread and my apologies if its title got any owners too excited.


See, also...

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/831667-international-i9505-kitkat-releases.html

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/830920-international-i9500-kitkat-releases.html

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/839391-kitkat-bugfix-updates-rolling-out.html

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/847201-kitkat-4-4-2-release-fact-fiction.html
 
Upvote 0
Good news for the GT-i9506 owners is that they should be receiving the Android 4.4.3 update in July if the following leak is correct. This means that they will skip the long awaited 4.4.2 firmware altogether. The 4.4.3 release contains numerous bugfixes...

Android 4.4.3 update reportedly rolling out to Galaxy S5 this month, Galaxy S4 to follow suit in July

Did this update or 4.4.2 ever roll out for GT-i9506 Black Edition?
 
Upvote 0
Hello and welcome to Android Forums saadpk! :)

In a nutshell... No.

It looks as though the next update for the GT-i9506 will be Android 4.4.4. As to when... your guess is as good as mine. :rolleyes:

Thanks ironass! :)

You should have given me a difficult guess, this one is too easy :p

I was thinking of buying a black edition phone and was looking for i9506 BE ($450 when converted to USD) because of its upgraded specs and 4G support. The other option is i9500 BE ($430 when converted to USD) . I am now confused after knowing this upgrade issue. :thinking:
 
Upvote 0
Thanks ironass! :)

You should have given me a difficult guess, this one is too easy :p

I was thinking of buying a black edition phone and was looking for i9506 BE ($450 when converted to USD) because of its upgraded specs and 4G support. The other option is i9500 BE ($430 when converted to USD) . I am now confused after knowing this upgrade issue. :thinking:

Depends on whether you need 4G/LTE or not. The GT-i9500 is 3G only. See here for comparison...

Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4 vs. Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4 - GSMArena.com
 
Upvote 0
Depends on whether you need 4G/LTE or not. The GT-i9500 is 3G only. See here for comparison...

Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4 vs. Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4 - GSMArena.com

Yup, I have compared that. I am inclined towards i9506 because of its 4G/LTE capability as well as upgraded specs. The confusion is not between these two models but the choice between S4 Black Edition or any other brand because of the OS update issues. I think I'll have to play with the custom ROMs to keep it updated as officially, as you confirmed, there are no updates to KitKat yet.
 
Upvote 0
It looks as though Android 4.4.2 KitKat will be rolled out to the International, GT-i9506, after all. Only 7 months late... but better late than never!


VNZ = New Zealand (Vodafone)

NEE = Nordic Countries

FTM = France (Orange)



Check both Kies and OTA, (Over The Air). For more details on firmware, CSC and Product codes, see 28 Galaxy S4 models - know yours?

See, also...

International i9505 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

International i9500 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

KitKat 4.4.2 "bugfix" updates rolling out

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/847201-kitkat-4-4-2-release-fact-fiction.html

Update Problems - Dummies Guide
 
Upvote 0
Android 4.4.2 KitKat, releases for the International, GT-i9506...


OLB = Singapore (Star Hub)

OLB = Singapore (SingTel)

OLB = Singapore

TNZ = New Zealand



Check both Kies and OTA, (Over The Air). For more details on firmware, CSC and Product codes, see 28 Galaxy S4 models - know yours?

See, also...

International i9505 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

International i9500 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

KitKat 4.4.2 "bugfix" updates rolling out

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/847201-kitkat-4-4-2-release-fact-fiction.html

Update Problems - Dummies Guide
 
Upvote 0
i have Galaxy s4 GT-i9506 LTE with 2,3 quad core cpu , there is few LTEs versions haha .
I don't know when i will receive update , it is 4.4.2 now but it's supposed to get 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 , does anyone have similar phone or know more about that ?

Hello and welcome to Android Forums hecooo! :)

Despite earlier rumours in this thread, the i9506 did eventually receive Android 4.4.2, some 6+ months after it was released for the i9505 and i9500.

If the latest rumours are to be believed, the International versions could bypass Android 4.4.4 and go straight to Android 5. (Lollipop). See, here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hecooo
Upvote 0
thank you ironass , that was good and fast reply , i thought few days ago i snould receive some update but nothing new , not even on kies , but i have one more interesting question , hope you know answer or someone else .
When i go to sammobile and look for my firmware , i get option to choose phone and then carrier , i cant find my phone , for example , i need GT-i9506 , i can find GT-i9506 LTE-a but that is not my phone , would that be a problem if i install that firmware on my phone and from other carrier because even on that other phone i can't find my country and my carrier so simple question would be , if i install firmware for GT-i9506 LTE-a and carrier for example UK instead of my country , would that make some issue , i heard it wouldn't but not sure .
 
Upvote 0
thank you ironass , that was good and fast reply , i thought few days ago i snould receive some update but nothing new , not even on kies , but i have one more interesting question , hope you know answer or someone else .
When i go to sammobile and look for my firmware , i get option to choose phone and then carrier , i cant find my phone , for example , i need GT-i9506 , i can find GT-i9506 LTE-a but that is not my phone , would that be a problem if i install that firmware on my phone and from other carrier because even on that other phone i can't find my country and my carrier so simple question would be , if i install firmware for GT-i9506 LTE-a and carrier for example UK instead of my country , would that make some issue , i heard it wouldn't but not sure .

Easy!

To locate your precise firmware, you will need to enter your model no: and CSC code into the, "Search device here", on SamMobile. e.g., i9506***

To locate your 3 letter CSC code see #1.3 of 29 Galaxy S4 models - know yours?
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Android 4.4.2 KitKat, releases for the International, GT-i9506...


COS = Greece (Cosmote)

TNL = Netherlands (T-Mobile)

VAU = Australia (Vodafone)

VFG = Ireland (Vodafone)

VFG = Austria (A1)

VFG = Czech Republic (Vodafone)

FTM = France (Orange)

DTM = Germany (T-Mobile)

TMH = Hungary (T-Mobile)




Check both Kies and OTA, (Over The Air). For more details on firmware, CSC and Product codes, see 28 Galaxy S4 models - know yours?

See, also...

International i9505 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

International i9500 KitKat 4.4.2 releases

KitKat 4.4.2 "bugfix" updates rolling out

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/847201-kitkat-4-4-2-release-fact-fiction.html

Update Problems - Dummies Guide
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones