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Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Update Hits US: What You Need to Know

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After a bit of a wait, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update has finally touched down in the United States as Verizon becomes the first carrier to push out the update to its users. With several Android 4.3 updates left to go, we take a look at everything that Galaxy S4 owners in the United States need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 roll out in the U.S.

Yesterday, Samsung posted details about a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 update, an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update that had been confirmed for U.S. Cellular just a few hours before. The update, which was pegged for arrival yesterday, was said to be bringing a number of new features including support for Galaxy Gear and Samsung Knox.

Verizon didn’t confirm anything itself until late when the company posted Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 update details on its website, confirmation that a roll out would be touching down in the imminent future. Last night, we received word from several Galaxy S4 owners in the United States who said that the Verizon Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 roll out had begun and today, Verizon confirmed that to be the case.

The carrier becomes the first in the United States to roll out the Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. The software comes with several new features, enhancements and fixes and it will take the device up from Android 4.2, shortly before the Android 4.4 KitKat update replaces Android 4.3.

Of course, the Verizon Galaxy S4 update is just the start of the Android 4.3 roll out in the United States. There are still several devices including the models on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular that still need to be updated.

Verizon Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Update Rolling Out in Stages

The Verizon Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is rolling out, but it apparently isn’t rolling out to everyone today. Verizon has told Gotta Be Mobile that the software is rolling out in stages which means that it will incrementally reach Galaxy S4 owners over the next few days or even weeks. Typically, it takes a few days before Verizon opens the floodgates.

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Point is, Verizon Galaxy S4 owners should not panic. Instead, remain patient as it could take some time before the Over-the-Air update arrives. Again, it’s hard to predict how long the roll out might take to complete but over the years, Verizon has become way for efficient and we expect it to roll out within a week or less. Be patient.

Sprint Galaxy S4 Should Be Next

Maybe the most important thing that non-Verizon Galaxy S4 owners can take from this roll out is the fact that the software rolled out on the exact day that an internal document from Best Buy suggested it would roll out. Last week, we saw a chart with a ton of dates, including those for Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 roll outs, emerge and it clearly pointed to October 28th as the day that an update would roll out.

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What this means is that it could be dead on about the timing for other updates as carriers look to get their devices updated for use with Galaxy Gear. The chart had Sprint coming up next with October 30th listed as its roll out date. That could mean that the software will roll out tomorrow for owners of the Galaxy S4 on Sprint’s 4G LTE network. It’s certainly not a guarantee, but it’s a sign that points to Sprint’s Galaxy S4 being next in line.

T-Mobile Galaxy S4 Could Be Last

The chart also teased the AT&T and T-Mobile Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 release dates. AT&T was listed with a November 13th roll out while the T-Mobile Galaxy S4 was listed with a roll out on November 18th.  So, at this point, it’s looking like T-Mobile will be last to the Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 update, at least among the four largest carriers.

The Galaxy Note 3 could feature an improved camera with a 13MP sensor like the Galaxy S4.

We still aren’t sure when U.S. Cellular will be releasing the software though it is, along with Verizon, one of the only carriers to have confirmed the update. The carrier says that it will be rolling out the software in the “coming weeks” but no date has been provided.

U.S. Cellular is typically behind the big four when it comes to timing so we wouldn’t be shocked to see T-Mobile be last amongst the big four with U.S. Cellular bringing up the rear.

18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. Fizz (@RodrigoSarzosa)

    10/29/2013 at 12:05 pm

    When will Galaxy S4 International be available?

  2. Alex

    10/29/2013 at 1:55 pm

    Where the hell is my 3×4 keyboard layout gone after update?? That was important for me!

    • carlos Amarelinho

      11/15/2013 at 3:49 am

      I have the same problem, can’t find the way to change the keyboard :(

      • Alex

        11/29/2013 at 3:36 pm

        I had the same problem. You have to go under settings. Click on “Language and input” then check the “Samsung keyboard” and then you should see that you’ll have the new keyboard.

  3. Marie

    10/29/2013 at 7:47 pm

    Just got mine, no problems so far

    • Nadeem

      10/30/2013 at 6:20 am

      Hi Marie,

      What’s the difference? What are you liking the most. ..?

  4. Abdullah

    10/30/2013 at 4:21 am

    Does anyone know when this update will be available in Afghanistan? GS4 GT I9505

  5. kingsley

    10/30/2013 at 5:07 am

    Anyone who knows when the update is gonna be available for s4 international model gt-i9500

  6. firecar25

    10/30/2013 at 5:12 am

    It’s official! My Sprint GS4 updated after doing the delete data from Google framework services app then Samsung system update, yay!

  7. Nadeem

    10/30/2013 at 6:16 am

    When JB 4.3 will br rolled out in Pakistan. ..any idea?

  8. BRIAN FOREMAN

    11/01/2013 at 8:21 am

    Bs.what makes verizon so special to get the 4.3 first before at&t? I think they should say screw 4.3 and push 4.4 jump ahead.

  9. Esvin

    11/01/2013 at 12:00 pm

    Verizon 4.3 upgrade is broken, kills your Verizon G4 internet, Knox software kills any access to secured area. do not upgrade!

  10. tilly

    11/01/2013 at 8:23 pm

    My battery is draining so fast…anyone here having same problem after updating this new version software?

  11. Brandi

    11/02/2013 at 10:45 am

    I got the new s4 update. I’m hating the keyboard. Changes all my words and there’s key touch noise which is turned off on my settings!! I can’t get rid of it!!!!

    • Eric

      11/02/2013 at 1:40 pm

      Had the same problem. .Go to settings then device the language and imput then hit the settings symbol next to samsung keyboard.You will find another key tap box to uncheck.

  12. Rachel

    11/02/2013 at 6:57 pm

    I can’t view all of my pictures in gallery. .. freezes phone 1/3 of the way down…. Anyone else having this issue?

  13. Bob

    11/05/2013 at 7:27 pm

    Messaging can’t find my contacts after update. But I can go into contacts and start a text message from there. Also Samsung Hub music app continously loads….I’ve never used this app!!! Battery life is now horrible. Drained after 6 hours of no use.

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