Android 4.4 KitKat build for Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3 shows redesigned UI

Looks like Samsung is finally trying to follow some of the design guidelines stated by Google for Android. A leaked ROM of an Android 4.4.2 build for Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 reveal at least one significant UI change. Samsung will no longer have coloured icons in the status bar, in keeping with the 4.4.2 KitKat guidelines. So with the update your notification icons turn white. In addition, Samsung has also placed a camera icon on the lockscreen for quick access. We can’t tell much else from the images of the build. SamMobile says there’s a little bump in the performance, and benchmark scores have also increased. It also says Samsung has changed the keyboard on the build with improvements in landscape orientation, which supposedly make typing and gesture typing easier.[caption id="attachment_208411" align="alignnone" width="768"] Some screenshots of the leaked build[/caption] As per the new KiKat UI design, the album art of the currently playing track takes up the entire lockscreen for a more impactful visual effect. There is not much difference between the builds for the S4 and the Note 3, with the exception of any changes in the stylus-specific apps on the latter. We expect both builds to be more or less the same, when the final version hits devices. Considering this is a leaked build, there could be quite a few changes when the final update rolls out. Those interested in flashing the leaked build, can grab the relevant files for the Note 3 and the Galaxy S4. It must be noted that flashing the test firmware will wipe all data. So, it is advisable to create a backup.