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Android 4.3 Update Breakdown: HTC, Samsung, Sony & More

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The new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is official and will be rolling out to devices like the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the near future. But what about non-Nexus devices? Here, we breakdown everything we know about the Android 4.3 update and its future arrival on devices from HTC, Samsung, Sony and more.

In the weeks prior to today’s Android and Chrome event, rumors and leaks had suggested that Google’s next Android update would be Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and not Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Turns out they weren’t lying as Google took the stage today and showed off its brand new Android updated, dubbed Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Read: Android 4.3 Features and Update Details Revealed.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is here.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is here.

The software is an incremental update rather than a complete overhaul to the Android operating system, thus, why Google is saying that it’s a “sweeter” version of Jelly Bean. Instead of lots of revamped features and a host of new ones, the update instead will be a little more subtle. Google’s new update will be coming with Bluetooth Smart, OpenGL 3.0 support for accelerated graphics, auto-complete in the dial pad, improved audio and more. It’s a nice update despite its small stature.

Google announced today that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update will be heading out to Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and Galaxy Nexus starting today with the HTC One Google Edition and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition both slated to get it in the near future as well. Google also has confirmed the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 update through the binaries listed on its website.

The company unfortunately didn’t talk about other devices leaving owners of non-Nexus devices in the dark. Fortunately, we’ve seen a few companies shed some light on the situation and offer some slight Android 4.3 Jelly Bean details. We’ve also seen some Android 4.3 information leak out for a few devices in recent days.

That said, it’s time to breakdown the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for devices on HTC, Samsung, Sony and more.

HTC

Check out these essential, but hidden, HTC One features.

The HTC One Android 4.2 update just rolled out.

In years past, HTC got itself into trouble by announcing specific time frames for Android updates. By promising updates for devices, it set itself up for failure. With Android 4.1 and beyond, the company has remained mum on specifics so it’s no surprise that the company isn’t disclosing anything major in terms of Android 4.3 release dates.

In a statement made to TechRadar, HTC said that it would be “reviewing Android 4.3 to see how this update fits into our plans” which means that the company likely won’t be releasing any information any time soon.

With HTC yet to update many of its devices to Android 4.2, it’s likely that many Android 4.3 updates are far off in the distance. The HTC One X, for example, is heavily rumored to be getting Android 4.2 sometime before the end of the summer which likely means an Android 4.3 update several months after that. And let’s not get started on the AT&T HTC One X which could definitely see Android 4.3 arrive in 2014.

Bottom line is, HTC is likely going to update at least some of its non-Google Edition devices to the new version of Android, it just won’t be any time soon.

Samsung

Samsung has also switched away from revealing specific dates in regards to Android roll outs though the company has been much faster than HTC in terms of timing. Still, even with the progress, Samsung doesn’t like to reveal specific plans so as not to frustrate its device owners and it’s sticking to its game plan with Android 4.3

In comments also made to TechRadar, Samsung UK said that it will “confirm upgrade plans to Android 4.3 to selected Galaxy devices in the coming months.” Coming months could mean that we won’t see any specific plans emerge until much later this year.

The Galaxy S4 wireless charger slips inside the back, so cases still work.

The Galaxy S4 will likely get Android 4.3 first.

We’ve heard that Samsung may have canceled the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.2 update in favor of Android 4.3 and the same could happen to the Samsung Galaxy S3. Those likely won’t be the first to Android 4.3 though.

A betting man would wager everything on the Samsung Galaxy S4 being the first smartphone to Android 4.3. It was the first to arrive with Android 4.2 and it’s Samsung’s flagship, meaning, it will get the royal treatment.

From Samsung’s statement, it appears that we’re at least a few weeks away from anything emerging so device owners will want to remain patient.

Sony

Sony has also released a statement in regards to Android 4.3, saying that it “can’t wait to get going” and that it will be releasing more details soon. That information comes from the company’s Xperia Twitter account which all but confirms Android 4.3 for either upcoming or current Xperia devices.

One device that is sure to get Android 4.3 is the Sony Xperia Z, the company’s flagship smartphone. At the moment though, the Xperia Z and ZL are the only smartphones that feature Android 4.2 and there is no sign of them being joined any time soon.

With a legion of devices still on Android 4.1, it’s hard to imagine that Android 4.3 will be rolling out soon to anything other than Sony’s 2013 lineup of devices.

LG

LG has remained quiet after the arrival of Android 4.3 leaving owners of devices like the LG Optimus G wondering when they might see the Android 4.3 update. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to say at this point.

The company is far less predictable than its counterparts when it comes to Android updates so it’s hard to nail down any type of unofficial timeline for Android 4.3.

Considering that the Optimus G just received Android 4.1 in the U.S., we can’t help but think that LG is going to be behind the curve when it comes to getting its phones updated to the latest version.

Motorola

Finally, we have Motorola. Motorola, which is owned by Google, hasn’t been given any free passes. Case in point, the newly announced Motorola Droid series of smartphones for Verizon which will be coming with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on board when they arrive in August. No Android 4.3 Jelly Bean unfortunately.

Motorola hasn't even confirmed Android 4.2 yet.

Motorola hasn’t even confirmed Android 4.2 yet.

Worse yet, the Droid RAZR HD and Droid RAZR MAXX HD from last year have yet to get an update to Android 4.2. In fact, Motorola hasn’t said anything about Android 4.2 just yet.

Whether that means it will be upgrading devices straight to Android 4.3 remains to be seen but at this point, given how murky the Android 4.2 situation is, we don’t expect to see Android 4.3 to arrive anytime soon.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Lea6087

    07/24/2013 at 5:44 pm

    4.3 sounds interesting, but… Still looking for Bluetooth audio stream fix for 4.2.1 on Asus Infinity, hope 4.3 doesn’t have Bluetooth audio streaming issues? 4.2.1 needs a bluetooth fix from Asus as well.

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