AT&T adds even more bloat to the Samsung Galaxy S5 via an OTA update

A 16GB Samsung Galaxy S5 treats its users to roughly 10.7GB of available internal storage out of the box, whereas the carrier-branded versions of the device provide even less. Yes, the Android OS and Google's apps take up a big portion of the used storage, but Samsung's bloatware is undoubtedly the biggest culprit for this amount of used space. In this line of thought, it's always sad to see when users receive even more bloatware after they've purchased their already-burdened devices. This is the case with AT&T's Galaxy S5 (SM-G900A).

The carrier began rolling out a firmware update for the Samsung Galaxy S5 over the air, but you shouldn't be excited at all. Unfortunately for all users of the flagship, the 46 MB package contains two of AT&T's own apps, Lookout and Yellow Pages Mobile, the update also clogs the Galaxy S5 with Find My Mobile and Reactivation Lock, two of Sammy's own apps. Sigh.

Although AT&T mum's the word if the update brings any performance improvements on board, several XDA users that already got the update report that it seemingly fixed an existing issue with the Recent Apps button. Additionally, some claim that the update made the interface of Samsung's flagship a tad smoother and less laggy.

However, even if you postpone it a couple of times, the update will eventually force itself on your device. We suppose that most users won't be very excited to treat their Galaxy S5 smartphones to this bloatware-centric firmware update, but it's still a good idea to be up to date. Fortunately, the included apps can be disabled at will.

source: AT&T via XDA