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]

Hi Mate 😞
Personally, what I'd do is stick a custome ROM on it
But first I would suggest you did another factory reset and then reflash your standard ROM with Odin.
My Odin guide is listed in the FAQ sticky thread in this section.

[Anonymous]

Thanks I might try the Odin route will that mean my phone is rooted and can I choose a generic ROM so that I don't have the o2 bloatware?

Cheers

Graham

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks I might try the Odin route will that mean my phone is rooted and can I choose a generic ROM so that I don't have the o2 bloatware?

Cheers

Graham

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No, Odin is just the programme to install firmware. If you want to root you need to install rooted firmware, but before that you need to get an unlock code off O2 and get the phone unlocked to all networks.

Once unlocked and rooted you can install anything you want - I'm running a kitkat ROM on my S3 at the moment.

[Anonymous]

Great I don't want to root my phone are there any firmwares that I can use with Odin that you can recommend?

Cheers

Graham

[MI5]

Any of the stock Samsung ROM's. Many people use German ROM's as they seem to be the most stable and work fine in the UK. If you want to be first for updates you need a Polish ROM.

[Anonymous]

What about samsung mega - o2 are really poor at progressing updates and from being passed around through phoning o2 and samsung it is frustrating that neithe ro2 or samsung seem to be getting the info on upgrade to 4.2 correct!

Please advise...thanks (specifically for samsung mega)

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:

What about samsung mega - o2 are really poor at progressing updates and from being passed around through phoning o2 and samsung it is frustrating that neithe ro2 or samsung seem to be getting the info on upgrade to 4.2 correct!

Please advise...thanks (specifically for samsung mega)

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As mentioned previously there is no 4.3 official release anywhere in the World yet for the Mega.....

The only chance you have is a custom ROM and for that you need to search XDA.

You will need to root and you will void your warranty so it's not a decision to take lightly - It all depends how badly you want 4.3.....

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-mega

Just make sure you find ROM's for your model as there are 2 versions of the Mega (i9200 & i9205).

[Anonymous]

Im thnking of just by passing o2 all together for updates and installing cyanogenmod 13 to get kitkat

[Anonymous]

Hi Neil

Given that the S4 kitkat release is now being rolled out, which handset do you have?

[Anonymous]

I just got the s4 mini 4g gt-i9195