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]

Ok that's a known issue, hopefully be sorted sometime soon, I run the same apps as before the update and ram use is consistently higher after the update, I read the change log and it says better ram management so I just assumed that after the update that ram usage would lower, but if you say its nothing to worry about then that's cool with me, thanks for the info

[MI5]

"better RAM management" doesn't mean lower RAM use
Android will automatically control RAM depending on what it requires to run the current applications and background processes. ie, it will close applications if it needs to and allow the system to open applications if it can, to speed up various operations.
This is all done behind the scenes and the user rarely knows it's been done - It's these operations it should now be doing more efficiently.

[Anonymous]

Ah that makes prefect sense now you've explained it to me now, thank you

[MI5]

No worries mate

[goatty2uk]

just update my s3 took about 20 mins and so far everything working fine do i still need to do a hard reset

[MI5]

Only if you notice any issues.
You may get anything from crashing apps/functions to higher battery drain so just keep your eye on it and see how it goes.....

[goatty2uk]

thanks MI5

the apps i have tried are running alright

[keithwill838]

Why do you keep posting that link to the pay site

[MI5]

---

@keithwill838 wrote:

Why do you keep posting that link to the pay site

---

I object to your uninformed comments.

You can download for free and many people have recovered their phones from my links and advice.

Do you need help or are you just passing through ?

[keithwill838]

everytime i follow one of your links it takes me to a paid for page with down loads,so if that is uninformed well i guess i will stay that way