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

[jonsie]

It's unlikely to have the latest updates dependant on how long it had been in Stock.

Tell him to check manually:
settings>> more>> about device>> software update.

Best done over Wifi.

[MI5]

The next update will be kitkat which is imminent but without knowing what is installed I can't say if it's up to date now. *#1234# will give him the csc info to check.

[Cleoriff]

Thanks for that info MI5 and jonsie...it will have to wait until I go back to the UK to get him to check.

I must admit to being surprised that a new phone would possibly not have the latest up date

installed.? However if it 'old stock' that would explain it!

So one more question...if the latest is NOT installed as yet, and Kit Kat release is soon...would he be

able to skip one and go straight to Kit Kat.?

Apologies if that seems a silly question to some, but if you don't know..then you don't know

[MI5]

The phone will download any updates it requires so if he's not on the latest JB it would download that first automatically.

[jonsie]

4.3 update was disappointing tbh and early versions were fraught with errors. Knowing what I know now I would have waited for KK.

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

4.3 update was disappointing tbh and early versions were fraught with errors. Knowing what I know now I would have waited for KK.

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Now I am confused!

I thought MI5 said (in his post above ^^^) that 4.3 would have to be installed before you could do Kit

Kat? Or did I not understand him correctly?

[MI5]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

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@jonsie wrote:

4.3 update was disappointing tbh and early versions were fraught with errors. Knowing what I know now I would have waited for KK.

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Now I am confused!

I thought MI5 said (in his post above ^^^) that 4.3 would have to be installed before you could do Kit

Kat? Or did I not understand him correctly?

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It will, but you can do it all on the same day, ie, wait until KK is released....

[Anonymous]

Annoyingly my S3 automatically downloaded the 4.3 update last night (even though I don't have the auto download box ticked).

Is it safe to install now or should I keep delaying it?

[MI5]

It's much better now than it was originally and the key to success is a factory reset after upgrading so I would make a full back up first before doing anything else.

[Anonymous]

Hi MI5

I finally relented and did a data reset followed by your recommended factory reset yesterday as I was fed up the constant unstable wifi messages and drop outs when listening to music.

I spent ages last night reloading the stuck that my kies backup didn't seem to think was relevant (why would it only back up half of my apps?!)

The phone is now worse than ever and practically unusable. I don't want to imply that you are in any way at fault! It looks like you know your stuff and have helped a lot of people on here, it's a shame the staff in o2 shops don't have your knowledge or passion.

Today, every time I get a text message the messaging app crashes so I have to switch the phone off and restart it so that I can read the message and of course my wifi is unstable again!

Would you recommend:

A. Doing another reset

B. Taking it back to the shop

C. Taking it to a block of flats and dropping it from the top floor

Again I don't want to imply you haven't helped, any further help would be gratefully received.

As you can probably tell I am completely sick of this phone, although it has taught me 3 valuable lessons:

1. Don't ever buy any samsung electronics again

2. Don't ever take out a 24 month contract again

3. Don't ever use o2 again.