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]

Always happy to help

[Anonymous]

Just like to say my Note 2 is working great since updating to JB 4.3

[aldaweb]

Waiting for EE to pull their finger out and update the Note 2 LTE version

[Anonymous]

Is it just me, but my Note 2 is chomping through the battery since it did the update and I have had to reinstall 10+ apps as it kept flashing up that there was an issue?

Really annoying as I struggle to get a day out a charge anyway. Now at 11am I am down to 53% already!

I have turned off everything possible (when I was previously able to leave them on) but still no better.

[MI5]

High battery drain is a common issue after a firmware upgrade.
Follow this guide and it should improve things for you http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Android-Devices-Samsung-HTC-Sony/How-To-Reset-your-Samsung-after-a-Firm...

[keithwill838]

I have a branded o2 s3,but have not yet recieved the upgrade,anbody any ideas when it will arrive,sorry if this has been asked somewhere else

[MI5]

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@keithwill838 wrote:

I have a branded o2 s3,but have not yet recieved the upgrade,anbody any ideas when it will arrive,sorry if this has been asked somewhere else

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No one knows.... It's in the hands of O2 

[Anonymous]

Anyone else noticed that the Kies via WiFi option is now missing? I have a Note II that I just updated and it is no longer listed. Looking at other forums I am not along!

[aldaweb]

Not on my LTE version either that just got updated to 4.3.

There is Kies Air app though that looks like it has similar functionality through a browser though.

[Anonymous]

Hi, me and the wife both have a Samsung galaxy s3 on o2 she had her update a week ago I aint got mine yet.