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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@keithwill838 wrote:

Had my update yesterday Sat 25/01,only 2 things so far it will not let me use my incar charger and battery drain is a tad bit faster than before,but everything else is ok

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Factory reset first before attenpting any troubleshooting http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Android-Devices-Samsung-HTC-Sony/How-To-Reset-your-Samsung-after-a-Firm...

[Anonymous]

I received the update to 4.3 this afternoon since then my phone has been stuck on the Samsung splash screen... I've restored the phone to factory settings on a number of occasions but this has not solved the issue... Had to resort to sending back to o2 for repair 😞

[Anonymous]

Looks like there has been a batch of these today.

I have a sim free S4 (from CPW) which was already on 4.3 but there was an update today which Samsung provided better battery use and more stability. Mine has been fine but there does seem to have been a mini surge of those especially on S3's having problems.

@Toby - o2 need to be made aware of this.

If there is one thing I have learnt with this phone it is to avoid the network operators and either go to CPW or similar who give out sim free or if you can afford it buy your own that isn't locked to a network.

(Note I understand iPhone locks to the network for the first sim put in)

[MI5]

Impossible.... O2 extensively test to make sure this doesn't happen. That's why it takes them so long to release the updates..... Strange how the sim free phones aren't effected though

[Anonymous]

@MI5 perhaps just coincidence but we have had several today which you have kindly be helping out on. Just seems a bit odd to get so many at once.

When mine went from 4.2.2 to 4.3 people were reporting issues and Samsung pulled the S3 update in the end.

Not sure what is happening. Are any other network forums seeing this would you know? ?? Or is it specific to o2?

[MI5]

You need to read my post with tongue firmly in cheek mate

[Anonymous]

Lol what can I say? That was subtle even for me lol 🐼

[Anonymous]

It is very wierd my partner has an s3 on o2 aswel but his upgrade hasn't caused any issues. 

O2 seemed surprised when I rang them earlier.. Looking on other forums regarding this issue it seems it could be a hardware fault on particular handsets?

[MI5]

We've managed to recover most of the phones reported on here so I don't think it's hardware (not everyone's anyway), more likely just some poor programming somewhere in the update.

[Anonymous]

I'm just one of the unlucky ones then... Am sure o2 will fix it for me she its collected tomoz