LONDON: Ever since the new Android Lollipop operating system was released, users of the popular Galaxy S4 have been clamoring for it. This week, an Android 5.0.1 ROM for the device was leaked and initial reports indicated that it is the official version of the update.
The Galaxy S4 is the flagship smartphone from Samsung which was released in 2013 with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. After a number of software updates, the Galaxy S4 currently runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat. Samsung recently hinted that it would soon receive the Android 5.0 Lollipop.
The leak was picked up by eagle-eyed members of XDA developers’ community. Gottabemobile reported that while it appeared to be the official update for the Galaxy S4, it was only for the international version and for the Chinese market. This meant that even though English is the system’s language, the main languages used in the update are two Chinese scripts.
Likewise, the keyboard for the update is not available in English as the leaked version is mainly designed for China model of the device. Some system messages are also in regional languages.
The ROM, GSMArena noted, is based on the Android 5.0.1 build which is the most available and also the latest version of the Google’s new Lollipop OS.
The Android 5.0.1 ROM leak works on several Galaxy S4 devices with the model numbers GT-I9500, GT-I9508, GT-I9502, and GT-I9508v. However, it does not work with the GT-I9505 which has the Snapdragon 600 chipset.
Other sources reported that the leak is not designed for the specific model of the Galaxy S4 in the United States and as such will not work on such a device. However, those with an unlocked international version of the Galaxy S4 will be able to download and use it.
Phonearena noted that several users have downloaded the leaked ROM and have tried it out. They reportedly found no major issues surrounding the working of NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G/4G data.
