I think it is worth repeating a, slightly edited, post that appears in the Android 4.4.3 coming soon as it explains why we are seeing so many complaints from some U.S. Galaxy S4 users...
"The reason for this is the seeming cartel operated by the various North American carriers who all insist on their own minority branded variants of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Unlike almost every other country, with the notable exception of the Communist China mainland, where there are unbranded handsets available and customers are able to pick and choose their carrier and receive unbranded carrier updates directly from Samsung, without the need to go through any lengthy carrier alterations, this means that there is little incentive for those carriers to load on tons of their own apps and re-configure their firmware as they are competing against unbranded phones. However, there is every incentive for those carriers to make sure that their branded firmware keeps apace with Samsung's unbranded releases usually with some having as many as 7 - 10 updates so far since launching, as can be seen from the examples in #1.2 and #1.3 of post #1.
Below are the known bugfix updates since launch, which are above and beyond the normal platform updates from 4.2. -> 4.3 -> 4.4.2.
AT&T SGH-i337... 1, possibly 2. Original 4.3 release withdrawn. AT&T firmware is not available from Samsung sources.
Verizon SCH-i545... 1 possibly. Original 4.3 release withdrawn.
Cricket SCH-R970C.. 1
C-Spire SCH-R970X... 1*
T-Mobile/Metro U.S.A. SGH-M919... 2
US Cellular SCH-R970... 3*
Sprint SPH-L720... 3
* Denotes that a 4.4.2 bugfix update has been issued for that model. All the Canadian variants that I managed to check, have also received a recent KitKat, 4.4.2, bugfix update.
Make no mistake, this is NOT Android or Samsung's fault, as we can see that KitKat bugfix updates are readily available and are distributed. The problem lies with the carriers themselves who do not spend the time, effort and money to update their minority variants. This is never more true than with AT&T and Verizon who even release, or not, as the case may be, their own, heavily modified, firmware directly to their customers without even involving Samsung.
The bottom line is that if you own a U.S. carrier branded model you are less likely to receive a bugfix update and are therefore, more likely to be unhappy with your phone... as demonstrated in this forum where less than 3% of all the Galaxy S4 firmwares worldwide, receive well over 50% of the complaints on here.
If you buy a low-end device, you can only expect low-end support from an update standpoint.
Verizon doesn't mess with the software on iPhones. Apple won't let them modify the OS or install bloatware.
Manufacturer's have already admitted carriers do not touch the code only test the code.
This says A LOT.
How are carriers to blame when they don't touch the code at all? In Europe they get updates quicker because... Well customers blame manufacturers like they should.
If I was getting blamed for something I had no control over I would probably do what carriers do here in the states. I bet you'd do the same.
Samsung has never been known for Good software let alone good hardware design. Their marketing is what suckers people. Just as good as Apple.
At least Apple is willing to say "Blame us if there are any problems" while telling carriers we will handle things ourselves and we'll take the blame. Ironically a lot of iPhone users blame the carrier regardless of what Apple says.
You would think that by now folks would know all about Apple's draconian control over all things iOS. The whole reason the iPhone 1 was an AT&T exclusive is because Verizon balked at Steve Jobs' terms. AT&T was really Plan B for Apple. I guess some Apple fans are just in denial about what their favorite company does.
That makes no difference what so ever. Apple controls the updates, apple dictates the price structure, apple makes the rules.
Makes no difference whom Apple wanted to sell their devices first or second. Apple wanted control and they have it.
As was pointed out when Apple updates their devices THEY take responsibility, yet Verizon gets the complaints.
The same is the sorry state of Android updates. The makers of the devices get the code from Google, they test it and send it to the carriers, and wham this forum is filled with my phone doesn't do this or do that after the update.
Then you have the constant whines from owners saying "We want this update or that update" and are back here pronto after they receive it, blaming Verizon Wireless who had nothing to do with the update.
All phone makers should be responsible like Apple and do all their own updates to devices. This way Verizon won't have to be receiving all the complaints they just do not deserve.
Good Luck
Verizon does manipulate code to add their own garbage, such as MyVerizon, messenger, and GPS.
Verizon does not and cannot alter the code from Google or device makers. They add on apps. Not true code.
That is why Apple controls their own updates.
I hope the other manufacturers take their example.
manufacturers have some potential guidelines carriers can request, and the "bloatware" is given to the manufacturer well in advance before the update is even finished. That's the largest FUD people still spread today.
Verizon Diagnostic Tool
It's coded into Android.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
