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]

Thankyou for the info mi5, could I please ask you what op stands for?

[MI5]

op = original post or poster.
ie the op was from Chris_k

[Anonymous]

Question: Why do O2 need to do excessive testing for android updates once OEM's have released them, to say their sim free unlocked handsets? If the OEM thinks it's OK to go through what do O2 then add on other than some apps that can be added in via the play store?
Hi Karan,
A good example of why we do this was the recent S3 update rolled out to open market devices globally which then had to be revoked by Samsung due to instability, battery issues and devices being bricked.

Vendors often have one Open Market software that is used in multiple markets/Operators. Sometimes changes and fixes are introduced in software updates for other Operators that could affect its operation on the O2 network, so these need to be tested to ensure there is no negative impact.

Android platform updates can contain 100's of fixes and many new features. We test each update thoroughly to make sure that the bugs are really fixed and the new features work. Performing this testing also gives us an idea of what the customer experience is like, helps us to help our customer service guys and help our network engineers figuring out what to expect when the update goes live.

It's also important to remember the manufacturer controls the software launch and O2 always tries to be ready with approval for when the vendors ask.

[Anonymous]

Ok Thankyou for clearing that up for me. All the best

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ok Thankyou for clearing that up for me. All the best

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No worries... There are some good 4.4 ROM's on XDA already if you fancy going direct to KitKat.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I'm brave enough to do that, scared of voiding my warranty, that's why I was going to Flash the Samsung firmware, it does sound exciting to Flash the 4.4 rom from xda tho.

[MI5]

Plenty of support whatever you decide, just ask first and read (esp on xda), if you ask a question already answered they'll rip your head off lol

[Anonymous]

Cheers for the heads up on that, will be sure to read everything first. Just going to debrand first, then I'll look into xda, Thankyou again.

[MI5]

We'll be here if you need us

[Anonymous]

Thankyou I'll be sure to ask, but not too sure about this site after the two members on previous pages (Page 12 Onwards). Big thumbs up to yourself tho