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]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Hi MI5 I've tried Odin using the stock o2 ROM on one s3 and the stock uk ROM on another s3 and I'm still getting the unstable WiFi messages on both phones and both still crash when using SMS. Thanks for the tips they seem better than flashing through kies but I'm going to take the phone back to the shop and hopefully they will let me swap it for a phone that doesn't have a Samsung logo!

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I too had same issues with WiFi and battery life after upgrading with the official 4.3 JB update. Its a pretty poor show from Samsung to be honest. Your really only option is to downgrade or try one of the custom ROMS. Me I`m now on a custom Kit Kat ROM and its rock solid, no problems I can see and no Samsung bloat neither, the phone just flies now  !

[Anonymous]

has anyone tried the Cyanogenmod 10.2.0 or 10.2.1 roms on the S4 Mini 4g GT-I9195, these are listed as stable and would update to 4.3

[MI5]

I've used many CM ROM's on a number of different devices and always been very pleased.
I can't say for sure on S4 Mini but I guess it'll be the same as any other device - Just check the known bugs list and make sure you can live with any bugs that are listed, however, they do usually get fixed pretty quickly.

[anticpated]

Kies is evil......;-)

[Anonymous]

Hi

I have a rooted S3. The fact it's rooted normally means I can't update OTA however last night I received a notification that the "software update package" was being downloaded. This turned out to be Android 4.3. I'm currently on Android 4.1.2 due to trying to avoid all the issues everyone's been having with this update.

Does anyone know how this was downloaded OTA if I'm rooted? And is it a subsequent 4.3 update fixing the bugs, or more of the same?

If there are still issues how do I remove the update? I'd rather not have to click "later" when prompted every 3 hours (which is the maximum postponement allowed).

Thanks

[MI5]

Rooting won't stop ota updates. It's upto you now to update or not but as a guide we don't get too many complaints about the latest 4.3 release. Just make sure you factory reset after the update.

[Anonymous]

Understood. Normally when I would click "Software Update" under "About Device" however a message would pop up telling me that this was not possible because my "device has been modified". So if I ever wanted to update previously I would do so via Kies & then re-root.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I think I'll make a Nandroid backup for the first time in case I want to revert to 4.1.2.

[Anonymous]

how do you choose words to be saved in your dictionary for when using predective text. everytime i write my name and press space it spells a word decided by the s4 mini and its a pain having to keep manually clicking on a word at bottom of screen. hope someone can help

[Anonymous]

It is not possible to add words to the Samsung dictionary I'm afraid.

There is a setting which allows the phone to change the word you have put in to they one it thinks you want which you can then override by choosing an alternative from a list on your screen.

[jonsie]

Normally when you type a word you would just touch the word in the keypad predictive banner and it will ask you to 'touch again to save'.