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Samsung Android 4.2 Update Breakdown: Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 & More

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The Samsung Galaxy S4 arrived with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Samsung’s new TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 on board ushering in a new era of Samsung Android software. The Galaxy S4 won’t be the only one getting these upgrades though. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and more will likely be getting outfitted with new software. And while details are a bit scarce, there are still several bits that have surfaced and it’s time to take a deep dive into what we know about Samsung’s upcoming Android 4.2 updates.

All the way back in November of last year, Google announced a brand new piece of Android software dubbed Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, an incremental update to the Android Jelly Bean operating system and one that replaced the previous version, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. While the software was quick to arrive for Nexus devices like the Nexus 4, the software has been slow to roll out to some of the biggest non-Nexus names.

In fact, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 became one of the first non-Nexus devices to sport Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and its features when it arrived back in April of this year. HTC’s flagship, the HTC One, remains on Android 4.1, a point of contention between HTC and the early adopters of its new Android device.

We know that HTC is preparing to deliver Android 4.2 updates to many of its older devices, including the HTC One, and we also know that Samsung is looking to do the same. Samsung has a great track record when it comes to software updates and while it may not be on par with Apple in terms of keeping devices updated, it’s certainly better than most Android manufacturers.

Samsung. like other Android manufacturers, has kept relatively quiet about upcoming updates. However, we have seen some information emerge about not only Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but the new TouchWiz that arrived with the Galaxy S4.

In the build up to these software updates, it’s now time to take a close look at how the Samsung Android 4.2 update situation breaks down as we look closely at what we know about the updates for the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and more.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Maybe the most anticipated Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update of the bunch is the one for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, a device that arrived shortly before the debut of Android 4.2 with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean stock and on board.

Samsung has not yet announced a release date for the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update though rumors originally put the software as being out sometime in May or June. That apparently won’t be happening thanks to the new TouchWiz 2.0 features that Samsung is evidently putting on board the Galaxy Note 2.

Read: Galaxy Note 2 & Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 Updates Pegged for Q3.

Instead, the update is now rumored to be coming out in the third quarter of this year which would mean a release sometime in July, August or September. If Samsung was really intending to release the software in May or June and caught an unforeseen snag, we imagine that July would likely be the best candidate for a roll out.

Android 4.3 is expected to be out in July though it’s looking like Samsung may ultimately upgrade to Android 4.2.2 instead. As for the features that will be coming on board, nothing is for certain though we expect there to be several features taken from the Galaxy S4. The exact features are as of yet, unknown, though we imagine the new camera app and some of the smart features will likely be on board.

Samsung Galaxy Note

The Galaxy Note should get Android 4.2.

The Galaxy Note should get Android 4.2.

The Samsung Galaxy Note, earlier this year, was upgraded with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the update that Google first released in July of last year. A short time ago, AT&T finally upgraded its Galaxy Note model with Android 4.1 though it neglected to add on some of the best features including the coveted Multi-Window View. A bad sign.

Samsung hasn’t confirmed the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update for the original Galaxy Note but given that it was only released in 2011, we fully expect the software update to come to the aging phablet. There are rumors that indicate that this will be the case though it appears that the Android 4.2 update will be the last for the Galaxy Note.

New TouchWiz features are a different story. We expect the Galaxy Note to get at least some of the features of the new TouchWiz, again perhaps the new camera app additions, but owners should not expect a significant upgrade.

As for timing, given that the Galaxy Note 2 update is slated for Q3, we may not see the Galaxy Note Android 4.2 update until well into 2013. And for AT&T owners that could mean an arrival in the winter or possibly in 2014. If at all.

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung hasn’t announced the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update but all signs point to the software rolling out around the same time as the Galaxy Note 2 update. Originally, the device was said to be getting the upgrade in May or June like the Galaxy Note 2, though that has now been pushed back to Q3.

That means that it should get it sometime between July and September with July and August being the likely candidates for arrival. Again, the update was said to have been delayed by the new Galaxy S4 TouchWiz features that will be on board when it arrives. Those features are unconfirmed but again, we don’t expect the Galaxy S3 to receive the entire update.

The Galaxy S3 will get Android 4.2.

The Galaxy S3 will get Android 4.2, likely in Q3.

More likely, it will get bits and pieces of the software and already we’ve seen that the new Smart Scroll functionality may be one of the features that arrives along with its upgrade to Android 4.2.

Look for Samsung to stick with updating the Galaxy S3 first with Android 4.2 instead of updating directly to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung surprised a few people when it updated the Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device has been out for quite awhile now and typically, Android devices lose support when they get close to two years of age. Not the Galaxy S2.

Earlier this year, American carriers began updating the Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1, the most recently being AT&T which updated its model just a few short weeks ago. That leaves Verizon as the last of the big name carriers though we imagine that it should be updating the device in the near future, given that it typically follows AT&T by a few weeks.

The Galaxy S2 appears set for Android 4.2

The Galaxy S2 appears set for Android 4.2

As for an Android 4.2 update, the Galaxy S2 is rumored to be getting it at some point though no timing is known. We imagine, given the close proximity of the Galaxy S2 Android 4.1 updates that a roll out is likely far off in the distance if one arrives at all.

If it does, expect it to come with a few features of the new TouchWiz, but not the whole boat as the Galaxy S2 is an aging device and TouchWiz requires a lot of resources.

Other Smartphones

Verizon Samsugn Galaxy S III

The Galaxy S3 Mini will likely get Android 4.2.

Obviously, those are just the big name smartphones but there will certainly be other devices that get the update. The three biggest of the bunch are the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket and the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini.

What this means is that Samsung Galaxy Exhibit and Samsung Galaxy Axiom owners in the United States should expect an update to Android 4.2 at some point down the road.

Tablets

Finally, tablets. Samsung hasn’t talked about any software updates for its tablets but rumors suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will be getting Android 4.2 at some point.

As for Samsung’s older Galaxy Tab line, it’s hard to say. Samsung was extremely slow at getting out Android 4.1 for a majority of those tablets so owners will want to start tempering their expectations now instead of later.

19 Comments

19 Comments

  1. michael chapman

    06/19/2013 at 6:23 pm

    I think if us gs3 owners have to wait this long for 4.2.2 update. Samsung should give us the gs3 owners 4.3 update first so come on samsung do the right thing

    • Ramon Abundiz

      06/19/2013 at 6:31 pm

      I agree I have the note 2 and kinda upset that this is taking forever.

      • michael chapman

        06/19/2013 at 6:41 pm

        Well lets hope that samsung will get us all the updates I was hoping 4.2.2 but now that it is taking forever mabe we can get 4.3 update first that would be nice

    • Brandon Crump

      06/26/2013 at 5:35 am

      Agreed

  2. jeeliahbeliah

    06/20/2013 at 4:34 am

    there is no major differences in functionality between 4.1 and 4.2 i my opinion

    • Robert

      07/11/2013 at 1:54 pm

      There are many differences. The main differences arent ill effective to not have, however the quick drop down menu (quick tiles) is amazing, and the Lock screen widgets is super powerful and have high potential. no one uses them yet, so well see.

      • michael chapman

        07/11/2013 at 3:18 pm

        I have the gs3 from Verizon and still no 4.2.2 update and the not 2 no update we still waiting and waiting

  3. david

    06/20/2013 at 5:56 am

    Note 2 needs a stability update mines been playing up on screen been goibg funny so thought it was the mobile they could not find any thing wrong with it so hurry up samsung with this update please

  4. Joe

    06/20/2013 at 7:15 am

    The gs3 should get 4.3! It’s not a old phone it’s only from 2012! when will smart phone companys learn that people will not buy there new phone if it doesn’t have a really noticeable update. the s2 to s3 jump was big, but the s3 to s4 was not. if they want people to buy more then when they give updates people will want more things for there phone. if this update takes to long then people will find a new smart phone that updates faster and just get rid of there old phone. the s3 is a very powerfull phone and if they drop it then they will lose lots of customers and sadly lose there flag ship phone.

    • michael chapman

      06/20/2013 at 9:31 am

      I agree we should have 4.3 I just heard verizon is pushing out that update to help fix this problem we are having

  5. Abdwahab

    06/20/2013 at 12:03 pm

    How can i upgrade galaxy note to jelly been 4.2

  6. michael chapman

    06/20/2013 at 12:16 pm

    If u check sammobile.com I think they have a costume rom for the 4.2.2 that can be downloaded. but I am going to wait hopefully get 4.3 update

    • Nkosinathi Khumalo

      06/20/2013 at 10:19 pm

      I think its just an excuse delaying 4.2 for so long. They want Galaxy S4 to sell in numbers first before they release 4.2 to galaxy S3 and Note II. That way people will get fed up of waiting for update and eventually buy S4

      • michael chapman

        06/21/2013 at 7:24 am

        I totally agree with u on that

        • Brandon Crump

          06/26/2013 at 5:39 am

          Does anyone know what 4.3 is gonna look like? or what Key Lime pie is gonna look like?

          • michael chapman

            06/26/2013 at 4:04 pm

            Hey brandon I haven’t heard when the 4.3 update will come out for gs3 yet but I know this for sure though the 4.2.2 update is taken way to long. I am thinking that the want to sell more of the gs4’s before releasing the update that we deserve so come on samsung give it to us already.

  7. Brown

    07/11/2013 at 6:03 am

    At&t seem to be the only ones that have not released the new update to their gs3 customers. I know people who have Verizon and Sprint and they already have the update!

    • thomas

      07/13/2013 at 10:01 am

      there releasing 4.1.2 first i put a bet that us at&t customers will recieve 4.2.2 in 2014 while everyone gets theres this july!! so pissed

      • michael chapman

        07/13/2013 at 10:20 am

        I think everyone is pissed about having too wait and wait at least verizon is a little faster then att so u might want too root it if u have to wait tell 2014 thomas that’s what I would do bro. Or get rid of att

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