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Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Update Rolls Out: What You Need to Know

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After weeks and weeks of waiting, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update has started rolling out to users. Of course, in true Samsung fashion, the roll out, at this point, only applies to a select few Galaxy Note 2 users with the rest of the updates likely to roll out in the weeks ahead. Now that the roll out has begun, we take a look at what Galaxy Note 2 owners need to know about the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update roll out.

In September, Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 3, its brand new phablet and a device that hit shelves in early October. The Galaxy Note 3 wasn’t the only thing that it announced on stage in Berlin, however. The company also debuted the Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch-like accessory that went on sale along with the Galaxy Note 3. The company also announced updates for the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S4, updates that would bring Galaxy Gear support.

December could bring the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update release in some regions, with Galaxy Note 3 features.

At the time, Samsung did not confirm these updates to be Android 4.3 updates though with the software bringing Bluetooth Low Energy support, they were assumed to be Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. It took a few weeks, and a few rumors and leaks, but Samsung finally confirmed the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 updates for arrival.

The company outlined their features including Galaxy Gear support and Samsung Knox though it declined to offer users specific release dates. Samsung rarely offers specific timing for software updates so this wasn’t surprising. In the weeks since, we’ve seen the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update roll outs begin. Rumors suggested that the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update would arrive this month though no one, not even Samsung, would confirm that.

Today, after a fairly lengthy wait, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean roll out finally started. To mark the occasion, we want take a look at the most important things users need to know about the brand new update and the first major update for the Galaxy Note 2.

Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Roll Out Par for the Course

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update roll out is playing out exactly like we expected it to. Samsung roll outs typically start with one variant in one region. Soon after, the update will then spread to another device, then another, and then land in places like the United States. This is almost exactly how this roll out has started.

Look for a new design from the Galaxy Note 3.

Today, we’ve seen two devices get the update, as opposed to one, and two regions see the update as opposed to one. Perhaps, a sign that Samsung is trying to speed things up. The Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 is just now receiving the software in India while the Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7105, the LTE model, is seeing the update in Nordic countries.

Again, this staggered approach is exactly what we expected and it means that the roll out should continue in the coming days so Galaxy Note 2 owners need to know to be patient.

Galaxy Note 2 U.S. Roll Out Could Begin Tomorrow

Several weeks ago, a leaked calendar for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates in the United States leaked out. And while it has been accurate for Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates, it has proven inaccurate for Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 updates in the United States. So, that means that U.S. owners need to know that tomorrow’s rumored roll outs may not happen.

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Both AT&T and Sprint are rumored to be delivering their Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update tomorrow. Neither carrier has announced anything and we’ve seen the carriers miss their presumed Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update release dates, meaning, there is a good chance that they will miss on tomorrow’s dates as well. That said, Galaxy Note 2 owners on AT&T and Sprint should be on the look out tomorrow.

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 Update Could Be Weeks Out

T-Mobile just became the first carrier in the United States to roll out the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update in the United States. However, the leaked schedule points to the carrier being last to the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update following in the footsteps of the AT&T (11/20), Sprint (11/20), and Verizon (11/29) Android 4.3 updates.

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The carrier’s Galaxy Note 2 update will presumably roll out on December 2nd which means that users could potentially be waiting a few weeks for the update to arrive. Of course, nothing is set in stone. While the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update is on track, we saw the T-Mobile Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 update miss yesterday’s presumed release.

Two Installation Methods, For Some

Today’s Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean roll out on T-Mobile is available over OTA and Samsung Kies. This is important because it means that there is a good chance that at least some Galaxy Note 2 users in the United States will be able to cut down on the long waits for the Over-the-Air updates and install manually with Samsung’s Kies software.

Of course, there is no guarantee that T-Mobile or any other carriers will offer the update by way of Samsung Kies but today’s Galaxy S3 push means that there is a chance that T-Mobile, at the very least, will.

We don’t, at this point, expect the software to leak ahead of time as we have not see any Android 4.3 updates leak for Galaxy devices ahead of time. Instead, users will be forced to wait for the official roll out.

Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update Issues

Galaxy Note 2 users interested in the Android 4.3 update should know to proceed with caution once the update does arrive. Already, we’ve seen issues halt the updates for Galaxy S3 users in the United Kingdom and Galaxy S4 users on AT&T. It’s also clear that something made Sprint delay its Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 roll out from its original November 6th roll out date.

Samsung Galaxy S3 wireless charger Review - 006

The Galaxy Note 2 uses software that is similar to the Galaxy S3 and there is a good chance that we could see some issues emerge in the days ahead. Even if there aren’t issues, we advise Galaxy Note 2 owners to practice some patience when it comes to their Android 4.3 Jelly Bean roll outs. While it may be tempting to install the software when it becomes available, it might be better to sit back and wait for user feedback.

If feedback is poor, it may be worth staying on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for just awhile longer. If the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, then it’s probably safe to install the software. Keep these Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 issues in mind as the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 roll out progresses.

18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. Balaji Leelaraman

    11/19/2013 at 6:14 pm

    I’m facing charging issue after installing android 4.3 to my note2……..After charge of 5 hrs my battery is not fully charged….It is only 80%….can anyone suggest on this

    • Vinay BVK

      11/19/2013 at 8:29 pm

      Same issue here.. Sometimes.. Couple of Hours and its only 10% or so.. Need some credible solution to this..

    • Irfan

      11/20/2013 at 3:29 am

      Change the USB cable used with charger

  2. John in Norway

    11/20/2013 at 3:56 am

    Does this update include the new S-note app as seen on the Note 3 (they have different file endings)? Can you convert inking to text later as opposed to instantly? I’d love to buy the Note 3 but it is just too expensive. If I can get the same software on the Note 2 then I’ll buy that instead.

  3. shonith

    11/20/2013 at 8:33 am

    Yay, updated to 4.3. Smooth than before and anututu scores have been increased by 500 points. I feel slightly drain in battery. I didn’t find S-wallet though.

  4. sahib

    11/20/2013 at 8:34 am

    One handed keyboard is not working. Is it so with all phones?

    • Pawandeep Arora

      11/20/2013 at 11:00 am

      4.3 updates started for my note2 and then halted as wifi connection got disconnected. After that it’s mentioning that latest software is already installed on your system and not downloading software via OTA. Hung on 4.1.2 :(

      • jai

        11/26/2013 at 1:02 am

        try with Kies software.

  5. ebb.bang

    11/20/2013 at 9:14 pm

    International Galaxy Note II 4.3 Official Stock Firmware (India)

    https://kickass.to/torrents/n7100xxuemk4-n7100oddemk1-inu-zip-t8214085/

  6. ebb.bang

    11/20/2013 at 9:16 pm

  7. all3x

    11/26/2013 at 7:42 am

    I got the update 2 days ago while i was in Germany (phone is bought and used in Denmark). I got an issued with the S Note app which stops working after 5 seconds. Tried to clear data and cache of the app but still crashes… I also had a small issue while charging just after the update when phone kept on saying changing 10% for like an hour or so and then started making the noise it does when you plug in/out the charger. I assumed it was something wrong with the plug and switched to another one… no problem since then…

    • Luke Hemmings

      01/07/2014 at 5:12 pm

      Any update on s note app crashes? Mine started doing the same when my carrier released update from 4.1.2 to 4.1.2 with lte

  8. Mahsa

    12/01/2013 at 11:09 am

    I have the T889 US version with T-Mobile and I wanted to know if Dec. 2nd is the actual release date for the Android 4.3?!?!?!

  9. Shawn

    12/08/2013 at 9:44 am

    This article is long and tedious. As for the update it isn’t that great. I am no longer able to personalize my lock screen (message & time) and the gallery is no longer user friendly.

  10. terry

    12/09/2013 at 8:52 am

    The tmobile Samsung note 2 update is out. I’d just got mine updated

  11. Jamie

    12/24/2013 at 7:05 am

    for the tmobile samsung note 2 software update are there any problems while trying to use the phone?

  12. Donn

    01/03/2014 at 2:36 pm

    I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 through T-Moble. After the update my bluetooth disconnects in the middle of conversations throughout the day. Also, my S-Note crashes. I added an S-Note widget on my desktop and it has helped to lessen the amount of crashes but it still isn’t truly fixed. The biggest annoyance however is the bluetooth disconnecting all day in the middle of conversations.. Has anyone found a fix for this?

  13. veronica555GalaxyNote2

    03/12/2014 at 12:41 pm

    This new update totally sucks. I personally don’t even get why we had to update the whole operating system of the phone when everything was working just fine.

    Like many other people, my S-note crashes too as soon as I open it. The “widget” trick is just a temporary solution, it crashes anyway when I try to use special features and try to go to options menu.

    The funny thing is, having a galaxy note phone is mainly all about having the s-pen and using the s-note. I don’t understand how come they can break the main featured application with a critical update. That’s so stupid of Samsung.

    SamsungHub also crashes just like s-note.

    They also ruined some features of the live wallpapers. When I change the background of the stock ocean ripple live wallpaper, it resets to original blue background each time I reboot the phone. There was no such a problem before.

    Keypad looks worse than before.

    They messed the lockscreen with that transparent keypad which I don’t like at all. It was better before.

    They messed the design of the picture gallery.

    They messed the cute screenshot effect. (the white light that comes when you slide your hand from right to left to take a screenie)

    There are some galaxy note3 applications installed with the update that I don’t even need and they are not even compitable with my phone. I can’t uninstall them since they are stock applications. That’s so annoying.

    I am very annoyed that my perfectly working sweet note2 is now ruined and messed up with this silly obligatory crappy update.

    The only positive thing that came with this new update is the fact that the overall system works slightly faster and more fluently. But as some other important features are broken, it is still bad.

    I hope we get a fix pretty soon.

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