Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) Android 4.4.2 KitKat update begins rolling out (Update: changelog)

The update to Android 4.4.2 is now available to Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) users in Poland, with more countries to follow soon.

Over the weekend, the folks at Sam Mobile leaked a test firmware for the Note 3 deemed as close to final, and now Samsung has begun pushing out the same firmware via the Kies companion software. For now, the update is only available via Kies for the unlocked model sold in Poland, with an over the air update due to commence soon.

The KitKat update for the Note 3 SM-N9005 (quad-core Snapdragon 800, LTE version) brings just small changes to the user interface and under the hood improvements that reportedly increase the performance of the device. The most visible change is the move to all white status icons, in line with the design of stock Android 4.4 KitKat. However, the toggles in the notification dropdown preserve the old green-themed styling that Samsung’s devices are known for. Other changes include the addition of quick access camera button on the lock screen and changes to the layout of the default keyboard in landscape mode.

Tech details:

• Model: SM-N9005
• Country: Poland
• Version: Android 4.4.2
• Changelist: 340325
• Build date: Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:20:24 +0000
• Product Code: XEO
• PDA: N9005XXUENA6
• CSC: N9005OXXENA5
• MODEM: N9005XXUENA2

As usual with these updates, Samsung will need time to kick off the update in all markets, with unlocked versions getting priority. If you sport a carrier-sold version of the Galaxy Note 3, prepare for a potentially longer wait.

Update: Sam Mobile has got hold of a guide detailing the changes coming to Note 3 with the KitKat update in terms of functionality.

Android OS 4.4.2 KitKat Galaxy Note3 Customer Consultant Guide Ver1.0

If you feel adventurous, you can flash the leaked firmware provided by Sam Mobile here, though we have to say the changes don’t seem to be worth the trouble. An issue you need to know is that the update could break the popular SuperSU tool, as it temporarily happened on the Galaxy S4 updated to Android 4.4.2 via the firmware that leaked last week.