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]

It does seem pretty random though - I've just walked someone through the O2 update on an S3 on another forum and it went smoothly without a hitch ?

[Anonymous]

Looks like it, worst possible time for me to be without a phone an all. 

Its just so frustrating that this has happened an there is nothing I can do to fix it myself 

[Anonymous]

I seem to be one of the lucky ones, all I've found is slight quicker battery discharge and random pausing and second long sound dropout on music app and on Google music app as well, going to do a full factory reset to see if it helps. I'm on s3 and updated to 4.3 a couple of days ago

[Anonymous]

@MI5 hence why the ones that I have seen I have referred to you! !! 😊

[Anonymous]

This is something that really needs to be sorted out ASAP

[MI5]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Looks like it, worst possible time for me to be without a phone an all. 

Its just so frustrating that this has happened an there is nothing I can do to fix it myself 

---

You can try a manual software flash http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Android-Devices-Samsung-HTC-Sony/HOW-TO-A-Guide-to-using-Odin/m-p/463464#M18334

[Anonymous]

Yes damien1 poor MI5 has been run ragged with these today lol

[MI5]

All in a days work, LOL !!

[Anonymous]

Thing is this shouldn't happen with a standard update

[MI5]

Just to remind you all of the answer to my question from O2 regarding updates:

---

@MI5 wrote:

The most obvious question is why does it take O2 so long to issue firmware updates? We've all heard the "testing for the best user experience" which is, as we all know, a poor excuse, as O2 do nothing apart from add the apps and welcome screens. Please don't patronise us by suggesting you need to test all your apps either as we all know they work fine on a sim free device 

All other networks work quicker in releasing their updates, so is it O2 that are under staffed in this area or just slack 

---

Hi MI5,

This is one of the most common questions we get asked.

O2 regularly finds bugs in devices which cause manufactures to delay a global SW launch until they fix it e.g. O2 testing caused a UK wide launch to be delayed last November while a problem with dialling 999 from the lock screen was fixed.

Approval really means it's ready for all customers, from the occasional user to the tech savvy folks, and isn't about the small number of O2 apps and services on the devices.

In addition there have been several occasions when the vendor has withdrawn an O2 build, has delayed it or they have taken a long time between us approving the SW and it being made live. We do our best to ensure that updates are released as soon as possible.

Typically, we test and approve approx 400 updates a year across all the devices.