Updating version of Samsung galaxy s4 GTI9500 4.2.2

[AC Question]

I'm having this phone for almost two years, Currently running version 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, frankly don't have any known problems or bugs.. I think of upgrading to some of the Kitkat versions, as I know lollipop is still not stable.

My question are:
1. Currently my phone give me the opportunity to update through FOTA to 4.3, which I've heard is a total catastrophe.
If I do this and than upgrade to 4.4 Kitkat do I collects some bugs on the way from 4.3?

Is it possible to upgrade via FOTA from 4.2.2 directly to 4.4?
Where can I find the new bugs\problems that I will probably have after upgrading from 4.2.2 to 4.4 KitKat, as I am more than fine with the current behavior of my current 4.2.2 version.

Same question as 3 but this time about new features that I will have.

Is it recommended to backup all phone content before firmware update? What is the chance that my phone will turn into a brick after a firmware
update or will loose information?

 

[itguyjax8430]

I'm having this phone for almost two years, Currently running version 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, frankly don't have any known problems or bugs.. I think of upgrading to some of the Kitkat versions, as I know lollipop is still not stable.

My question are:
1. Currently my phone give me the opportunity to update through FOTA to 4.3, which I've heard is a total catastrophe.
If I do this and than upgrade to 4.4 Kitkat do I collects some bugs on the way from 4.3?

Is it possible to upgrade via FOTA from 4.2.2 directly to 4.4?
Where can I find the new bugs\problems that I will probably have after upgrading from 4.2.2 to 4.4 KitKat, as I am more than fine with the current behavior of my current 4.2.2 version.

Same question as 3 but this time about new features that I will have.

Is it recommended to backup all phone content before firmware update? What is the chance that my phone will turn into a brick after a firmware
update or will loose information?

Welcome to Android Central!

I would personally just back up all my data and use Samsung Kies to update the phone to the latest firmware. Lollipop is actually working pretty good on a lot of phones as long as it is a fresh install and not an update. Samsung Kies can download a completely untouched fresh copy and install it. I would bypass doing the upgrade part and just have it install a fresh copy. The guide below can help you avoid doing and upgrade and make your phone do a fresh install. You will need to back up all your data doing it that way.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/am...amsung-emergency-recovering-samsung-kies.html