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

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I have an S4 and I have reset more times than I can count and my phone is screwed since the update! Just constantly shuts down, tries to reboot and just loops the whole time!!
Taking it back to O2 to get a replacement as it just not fit for purpose anymore!!

#frikkenannoyed!!

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check Your battery isn't bulging

[Anonymous]

Argh Jonsie, yes good point.

I do get the warning that the internet is unstable but only away from home. So I presume I have a strong wifi signal at home. But if I use wifi in pubs or btwifi out and about I tend to see the message.

But that is the only issue I have encountered in 4.3 on my S4 to date and as I have an unbranded handset I did get it quite early on.

[Anonymous]

Having a strange issue after the 4.3 update - when you lift the S4 up (in it's case or just as it is) it can vibrate for a second like there's an alert but i've checked this more than five times and it must be something affected after the update.

Anyone getting this weird vibration issue?

[Anonymous]

Have you tried turning off smart alert under motion gestures

[Anonymous]

I had just one 'unstable wifi' error yesterday but seems fine today so far

[Anonymous]

Are you connected to a btwifi hotspot at home? I.e. Are you on bt broadband as that will do it.

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Having a strange issue after the 4.3 update - when you lift the S4 up (in it's case or just as it is) it can vibrate for a second like there's an alert but i've checked this more than five times and it must be something affected after the update.

Anyone getting this weird vibration issue?

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It's the smart alert feature that can be turned off in settings.

[Anonymous]

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@jonsie wrote:
My Note 2 now suffers from a constant 'unstable wifi' error message whilst the S3 is still not as fluid and responsive as it was before 4.3. Both had full factory restores.

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Does the unstable wifi message just happen when you're away from home, or all the time?

I updated my unlocked Note 2 about two weeks ago, and I haven't had any problems, so far. The only difference I've noticed is the phone seems to take half a second longer to "wake up" into the lock screen. The battery life seems to be better.

[jonsie]

To be fair I'm connecting to many different bars in Thailand during the course of the day. However my S3 doesn't have the error message at all on the same wifi connections.

Maybe because I have a local sim in the Note 2?

[Anonymous]

I must be lucky normally when I try and upgrade  wether its my pc laptop tv or amp i have a couple of hrs misery getting it back together just done the s3 and note 2 I have and nothing.. no gremlins dreamliner battery drain nothing just a seemingly improved response and features its not fair now I am going to be waiting terrified for something to manifest itself!