Android 4.3 Update - S3, S4, S4 Mini & Note II

[Chris_K]

Hi All,

Many of you have been asking about the much anticipated Android 4.3 update for several key Samsung devices – Including the S3, S4, S4 Mini & Note II. As with all updates we have an in-depth and rigorous testing procedure to ensure the update is seamless and provides a perfect user experience.

What are some key updates in Android 4.3?

-              Lower latency input for gamepad buttons and joysticks

-              Bluetooth AVRCP 1.3 support - display song names on a car stereo

-              OpenGL ES 3.0 - Android now supports the latest version of the industry standard for high performance graphics

-              Official support for the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch > http://accessoryshop.o2.co.uk/search?query=galaxy+gear

How do I get this Android 4.3 update?

Sometimes these updates are available via Samsung KIES before they are available OTA (over the air). To update via KIES, please visit this Samsung link which contains a download button to get the KIES desktop software as well as simple steps on how to install and update > http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/usefulsoftware/SWUP/JSP

Once the update arrives OTA, you can download this by going to Settings > General > About > Software Update > Update. This may differ very slightly depending on your device or software build.

Android 4.3 availability break-down

Galaxy S4 – The 4.3 update is now live via the Samsung KIES PC application. Connect your phone via USB, open KIES and check for updates. The S4 OTA update is also live and will be pushed out in batches from the date it went live on KIES - If you don't have the OTA update yet, consider updating via KIES instead.

Galaxy S4 Mini – The latest 4.2.2 update has been available via Samsung KIES since November 30^th and should be available to all O2 handsets by connecting and updating via KIES. The OTA update will be released in batches over the coming weeks. Though this particular update doesn’t include the same changes as the above 4.3 update, it does bring with it official support for the Galaxy Gear Smartwatch. Android 4.3 may come to this device in the future, but we currently have no further details on this. We’ll let you know if/when that changes, however.

Galaxy S3 – We have received this update from Samsung and after our rigorous testing, has been approved and passed to Samsung for release. We hope for this to begin pushing out to O2 handsets over the coming week or two (hopefully before the end of the month) so keep your eyes peeled on your update screen. We'll let you know if there are any unforeseeable issues or delays that crop up.

Note II – The 4.3 update for the Note II is now live for OTA updates. This will be roll out in batches over the next few weeks so this update may not be available to you immediately. If you have an O2 branded Note II and don't see this update, I'd recommend connecting manually to KIES and checking for updates this way.

Thank you for your patience in awaiting this update - we know some of you have been eagerly awaiting receiving it or further information around it.

Are you looking forward to the update? If you’ve already been able to update to 4.3 via KIES, what do you think? The biggest change with the 4.3 update is that it supports Samsung’s Galaxy Gear Smartwatch – Something only the Note 3 supported previously. Will this update make you think about trying out wearable technology anytime soon?

Edit Log:

2:22pm 18th Dec - Updated availability news for the Note II

3:52pm 19th Dec - Updated OTA availability for the S4

11:25am 21st Jan - Updated Galaxy S3 section

[Anonymous]

hi is there any word on when o2 will pull there finger out and release the 4.3 update for branded s3?

[MI5]

Nope. They promise updates and transparency but it gets all foggy

[Anonymous]

Thankyou for the reply, yes depending who I talk to at o2 I get different answers, one person at o2 was adamant that it had already been released (the branded o2 4.3 firmware). Let's hope they get better with the transparency of there updates but won't hold my breath.

[Anonymous]

i added this to facebook & i do expect an answer ......

To O2, from your forums dated 19-12-2013 15:53
"Galaxy S3 (Incl. LTE Version) – We expect to receive the update from Samsung for testing towards the end of December with it going live at some point in January, subject to successful testing and passing our rigorous user experience expectations. I’ll be sure to update and edit this post with updates on this as and when it happens."

We're now in the middle of January, and we still have no update from O2 on when this will be rolled out. other networks & unbranded S3's have had the clean update for some time now.

As a bill payer, I would ask that something/someone contact me & the other S3 users with something other than a poor update in December with regards to when the S3 update will be rolled out. 

At no point have you engaged with your customers in the "Transparent" nature you promised and as such you have let us all down very badly. 

Poor customer satisfaction guaranteed

[Anonymous]

Here here, can't agree more with you. I paid £450 for my s3 on pay as you go, and I belive o2 should give better support and info to all there customers.

[Anonymous]

Was wondering if :

"ensure the update is seamless and provides a perfect user experience."

is the time taken to put on unwanted network crud.    

[Anonymous]

is anyone from o2 going to answer any of our questions, are you taking any of this seriously, uk leading network? what are you actualy leading in except for being behind all the other networks? please at least make yourself known on this thread or are you just hiding out of complete ineptness? 

[Anonymous]

Hi Carnigrower

o2 Community is a customer forum and as such we are all customers on here. We are unable to confirm when o2 will release updates other than official announcements.

[Anonymous]

sorry i was under the impresion that there were some o2 agents on this forum as the person that started this thread has an o2 picture next to his name and underneath that it says o2 social media team.

[Anonymous]

There are several moderators on here including @Toby and @Chiara.

They do from time to time raise issues with o2 and will try to assist however they are not Customer Services.

In terms of roll outs of new or updated software ALL the networks receive software updates from the manufacturers and will then go through a testing programme to make sure they work on their network branded handsets. Surely you would not want o2 to rush out the software only for there to be issues and you have issues with your phone?

I would also point out that the differences between 4.2 and 4.3 are minimal. You are not missing much. Wait for kit kat 4.4