Firmware updates for Samung S5/S4

[djs1970]

Is Lollipop still the latest firmware being offered to the S5 and S4?

My Hudl2 used to be on Kit Kat and when I upgraded to Lollipop it used more memory and apps had to be deleted.

WIth the Samsung firmware, does this use more memory compared with Kit Kat on the S5 and Jelly Bean on the S4?

Is the latest firmware more stable now?

Many thanks for replies in advance.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi,

Usually checking your software update section in your phone will show what's available and if your on the latest ava ilable.

Vodafone Firmware Statement

Ive read some conflicting posts on forums and blogs to how users feel the firmwares are working for them. Using Google should return some hits for you. 

If a phone is close to its limit then it is advised to delete unused / rarely used apps.

Remove notes, videos etc  and remove pictures and or move to a SD Card if applicable.  

An update of firmware will use some of the phones memory. They all do but they do try to limit how much it uses up nowadays. 

[drey_p]

Hi there

Here are the answers to your questions: 

• Lollipop is the latest firmware for these devices
• Lollipop does take up more internal storage space than its predecessors. It does also use slightly more memory.  I suspect some of this is due to the TouchWiz interface.
• Lollipop is very stable. When I did the upgrade I did a hard reset afterwards and haven't had any issues with it since. Battery life seems to be good to.

[djs1970]

Thanks for the replies. I've resisted Lollipop so far, but the upgrade messages are getting rather repetitive now!
Have you installed Lollipop on an S4 or S5? I just hope I don't have to delete any apps!

[BandOfBrothers]

You're welcome. 

Is their something in Lollipop your particular drawn to ?

How much memory do you have available and is it a s4 or s5 you have ?

[drey_p]

Ive got Lollipop on the S5 and S6.

I know you're not keen on having to delete apps, but a factory reset is the best way forward as Lollipop is a pretty major update.  This gives you a good starting point to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

I'd also recommend that you back up everything prior to doing the update. You'll need it to be backed up when you do to he factory reset as it wipes the device completely.

[djs1970]

Nothing in particular draws me to Lollipop, just every day the message appears on the S5 and every 3 hours on the S4 to upgrade.
The wife has the S4 and I have the S5. They are I guess standard Vodafone issue phones, 16GB?

[BandOfBrothers]

Ok.

What is available on the phones in the way of memory. 

I.e  what's spare. 

Performing a Factory Reset I usually suggest if the phone is not behaving as it should / glitching as this removes old redundant files after a firmware update. 

[drey_p]

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@BandOfBrothers wrote:

What is available on the phones in the way of memory. 

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That is irrelevant as the amount of free memory will always fluctuate depending on what apps are running at the time. I suspect you may be trying to ask what the spare storage capacity is.

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bandofbrothers wrote: 

Performing a Factory Reset I usually suggest if the phone is not behaving as it should / glitching as this removes old redundant files after a firmware update. 

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And should always be done when performing an update, especially one as major as this. 

[BandOfBrothers]

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@drey_p wrote:

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@BandOfBrothers wrote:

What is available on the phones in the way of memory. 

---

That is irrelevant as the amount of free memory will always fluctuate depending on what apps are running at the time. I suspect you may be trying to ask what the spare storage capacity is.

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bandofbrothers wrote: 

Performing a Factory Reset I usually suggest if the phone is not behaving as it should / glitching as this removes old redundant files after a firmware update. 

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And should always be done when performing an update, especially one as major as this. 

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Yes thank you that is what I'm trying to ascertain because if a fair amount of storage is available then their hopefully should be no need to delete any apps. 

I understabd your take on a Factory Reset after a firmware update. Personally when I've owned Samsungs I've not had to perform one as the phone was good to go after the firmware update. I submit its a decision by each owner / user. 

[drey_p]

It isn't just my take on it, it is best practice as it gives you a clean starting point. It is the same with a major upgrade to your PC - format before upgrading as it solves a lot of issues.

I'm not the only on on here that recommends that, TSD does to for example. If you frequent some of the other sites where you can get custom ROMs , the general consensus of opinion is that you perform a factory reset after installing any firmware or upgrading any firmware. This is regardless of whether what you're installing is a custom ROM or an official ROM

[djs1970]

The S5 has 2.2Gb of free space. S4 I don't know as phone not here at the moment.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@drey_p wrote:

It isn't just my take on it, it is best practice as it gives you a clean starting point. It is the same with a major upgrade to your PC - format before upgrading as it solves a lot of issues.

I'm not the only on on here that recommends that, TSD does to for example. If you frequent some of the other sites where you can get custom ROMs , the general consensus of opinion is that you perform a factory reset after installing any firmware or upgrading any firmware. This is regardless of whether what you're installing is a custom ROM or an official ROM

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Absolutely agree with what you have said and have seen other places that suggest it's a good practice. TSD has vast knowledge in this field then which I respect as well as your knowledge. 

All im saying is I have not had to perform this on the phone as it was in my expectation performing within its parameters. If it had shown signs of issue I would have carried out the reset.

Im sure @djs1970 now has lots of good help and advice. 

Are you going to update ? If so I hope all goes well and follow how you wish to proceed. 

[djs1970]

Thanks for the replies. After having a bad update a while back on an S3, I've resisted the temptation to upgrade. I used to be one of the first to update, but now I've learnt my lesson why update if it works great. I've used Lollipop on my Hudl2 and it certainly seems smooth and fast. If the message to update didn't keep appearing I think I would leave it as it is. Time off work, time to spare, good time to update? Who knows! Sorry about the typo error on the thread title!

[jeffkinn]

The advice we have generally given over the years with Samsung phones is to factory reset both before and after a major update of the Android operating system. This doesn't seem to be as necessary with other manufacturers but Samsung phones do perform better after an update.

It is personal preference of course but it is best practice.

[BandOfBrothers]

No worries. 

Thats is what we are here for. 

The diversity of knowledge in the forum is vast and I hope we have helped you in your endevours. 

Im not sure with your phone but it's a shame if their isn't a setting to disable the firmware update reminder ?

[djs1970]

Im not sure with your phone but it's a shame if their isn't a setting to disable the firmware update reminder ?

I don't believe on the S5 you can, besides since you agree to Googles T & C they send these messages and basically force you to keep you phone updated. I'm sure I read that somewhere a while ago.

[BandOfBrothers]

I performed a google search in regards to stopping those particular notifications and theirs quite a few hits on suggested solutions. 

Some do support what you say about not being able to stop them on a stock android phone. 

All I get is a reminder in my software update setting in the iPhone and that's it. No repeat reminders on the iPhone and only get a repeat on my Mac when I hook up to iTunes. 

[djs1970]

What new features does Lollipop bring to the S5 and 4. Do they remove any features?
I've used this forum before and once again the help given is fantastic. Once again many thanks.

[jeffkinn]

There is a visual reminder on an iOS device if you go into settings. There's a notification on the general settings and the software update section of general settings.