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Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Update: What U.S. Users Can Expect

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Two of the big three Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates from Samsung have begun to roll out with the software reaching the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 already. That leaves the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update as the last remaining big time Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update roll out from Samsung and unsurprisingly, there is a ton of attention being lavished on its situation in the United States and elsewhere.

For weeks now, we’ve known about Samsung’s plans for the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update in the United States and other parts of the world. The company not only confirmed updates for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, but it also delivered details regarding their features. And while it didn’t announce anything in regard to their release dates, slowly but surely, Galaxy S and Galaxy Note owners are beginning to get answers.

First, we saw the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update roll out. A few days later, the update spread to owners in the United States and currently, there are two major variants left without Android 4.3. Next, it was the Samsung Galaxy S3’s turn.

The former flagship was thought to be getting the software update ahead of the Galaxy Note 2 and that panned out as Samsung started the roll out in Ireland. Of course, the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 roll out hasn’t gone according to plan, but the software has rolled out nonetheless.

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

That leaves the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update as the only major update that has yet to roll out. From everything we’ve seen, the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean roll out is close. Thus far however, the update remains in the shadows.

In the last few days, we’ve seen a number of new developments and here, we want to take a look at what Samsung Galaxy Note 2 users in the United States, and elsewhere, should expect from the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean release date.

Uncertainty

The first thing that Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owners in the United States should expect is uncertainty when it comes to the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. First off, Samsung never announces specific release dates for the United States or any other region, so we don’t expect to see anything emerge until carriers are ready to roll something out. That doesn’t mean that users are completely in the dark, but it means that specific release dates won’t be confirmed ahead of time. So don’t get those hopes up.

Second, the whole Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean release has been thrown into disarray thanks to purported issues that Galaxy S3 users are having with the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. There are reports that suggest that the update has been halted in the UK and we have heard that Samsung UK is, at the very least, looking into the issues. Because the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 share similar software, the Galaxy Note 2 update could potentially roll out later than expected due to issues. Perhaps Samsung will need more time to test ahead of the official roll out.

Problem is, Samsung isn’t going to come right out and confirm any of this. It looks bad and it is trying to make a huge push to get these smartphones updated with Galaxy Gear support ahead of the holiday. Expect very little communication with a ton of questions and very few answers as the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 release gets closer.

Slight Delays

At this point, given the Galaxy S3 issues and the fact that the Sprint Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update missed its release date possibly due to bugs, we expect there to be some slight delays when it comes to the rumored Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update release dates that we saw emerge several weeks ago. Today was also supposed to be the AT&T Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 roll out date and it appears that it could misfire as well.

We can’t say that bugs are the issue here but it’s clear that this timeline is no longer reliable in the United States. Like we’ve said many times, software release dates can change as fast as the weather so this isn’t surprising.

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At this point, we expect there to be slight delays for the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2 update as carriers in the United States, and elsewhere, work to get these updates prepared.

We highly doubt that these updates will miss the holiday shopping season given that all parties involved want to sell the $299 Galaxy Gear to customers, so look for the roll outs to begin in just a few weeks.

Lengthy Roll Outs

Yesterday, we unearthed a piece of evidence that suggested that indicated that Sprint was prepared to unleash the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update on November 6th, as was rumored, but that it pulled back for reasons unknown. That evidence also suggested something that we expected all along, that Sprint would be issuing the update over the course of several weeks.

Screen Shot 2013-11-12 at 12.20.15 PM

This is something that isn’t unusual for an Android update of this caliber as carriers typically use lengthy OTA roll outs for major software updates. While the timing could vary, we expect to see carriers in the United States do exactly this with the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 upgrade. Some owners will get it on day one, others will get it later.

We’ve expected this for awhile but the evidence all but confirms that it will happen once we see these updates roll out to users.

Android 4.3 Update Problems

We’re seeing a ton of issues with the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, something that is a bit surprising given that Samsung had a ton of time to work on these upgrades. But remember, the company skipped Android 4.2 for Android 4.3, possibly due to TouchWiz issues, and it looks like these fast roll outs might be coming back to haunt it.

Galaxy S3 owners are reporting a host of problems with the new software including abnormal battery drain, random freezing, lag issues and more. While we would hope that any extra testing would eliminate these issues from any Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, at this point, we’re not confident that this will be a relatively bug-free piece of software across the board.

Wirelessly charge the Galaxy S3.

U.S. carriers will do as much as they can to fix any issues on board Samsung’s software but as we’ve pointed out, there are always bugs on software updates. Its a fact of life. That said, because these carriers are trying to get these updates out so that they can sell the Galaxy Gear, we could see an increased number of bugs.

Galaxy Note 2 users should expect to see issues on release date, it’s now just a matter of how many will be on board plaguing the software experience. Only time will tell.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. blaze

    11/13/2013 at 3:07 pm

    See now I’m getting worried, if this update doesn’t come soon a lot of people w the galaxy gear are going to be mad. Idk why they just didn’t advertise w the note 3 as a bundle price of 350/$400. Our have the dl ready before they released there New products.

  2. at&t customer

    11/13/2013 at 3:58 pm

    I spoke with the at&t customer service and they said that the at&t Galaxy S4 and at&t Galaxy S3 will be getting the update this week. I did not confirm anything with the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4 Active, or Galaxy S4 Zoom. Apparently with the software having problems on the international Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) I’m not sure if this update will roll out yet at least for the at&t Galaxy S3. Sprint seems to have missed its November 6 Galaxy S3 update as well probably due to these problems. I hope everything gets resolved soon because I want the Galaxy Gear for my S3.

    • nic benton

      11/13/2013 at 4:55 pm

      gosh, you’re telling me. I have purchased the gear thinking the update would be released today. now today is looking bad. I’m not sure if i should return the gear and wait. what you do guys think? please let me know your thoughts and whether or not i should hold on to the gear. thank you for any help.

      • at&t customer

        11/13/2013 at 5:41 pm

        It depends on how long you have until you cannot return if without a fee or something. Once again by the end of the week it should be here. If not and you are still able to return it without the fee, then return it. If you absolutely do not want to take a risk, I would return it now. Its not like you cant buy it again, you wont lose money I hope. I am really anxious about this update too and I was disappointed when I spoke to customer service

      • Ikaika Arnado

        11/13/2013 at 5:43 pm

        You should return it, and not buy another. Gear is bleeding edge tech. I’d wait a generation or two for it to get better and cheaper…

        • at&t customer

          11/13/2013 at 8:13 pm

          If you have an S3 and you really want the gear then buy it once the 4.3 update arrives. I doubt that Samsung is going to support 2nd gen gear or higher on the S3. It may be better to wait for the 2nd gen but only if you are willing to buy the Galaxy S5 just in case

  3. Branden

    11/13/2013 at 5:14 pm

    Any word on AT&T’s 4.3 update for the S4 (SGH I337)? Ive been waiting and waiting for the update because of my Gear but as of 1:00AM EST (11/13), nothing. What makes it worse is AT&T only allows you to check for updates once every 24 hours so I want to time it just right so I don’t have to wait an extra day. Getting frustrated and considering returning my Gear.

    • at&t customer

      11/13/2013 at 5:38 pm

      I just commented earlier if you did not see it

      • Randy

        11/13/2013 at 7:41 pm

        My wife’s 4S Galaxy is updating right now in Texas.

  4. Randy

    11/13/2013 at 7:43 pm

    However, my 3S is not updating.

  5. Randy

    11/13/2013 at 8:01 pm

    False alarm. It was just an update to 4.2.2

    • Branden

      11/13/2013 at 8:26 pm

      S4 needed 4.2.2? That’s odd. ..

  6. Nic

    11/13/2013 at 8:30 pm

    I purchased my gear last Saturday the 9th.i have 14 days to return the gear with a $35 restocking fee. I really don’t want to return it and lose $35 but like you said (at&t customer) can always just buy another. So do you really think we’ll get the update buy the end of this week or next week? Thank you for your help at&t customer.

    • josh

      11/13/2013 at 11:46 pm

      Never buy a piece of hardware in preparation for upcoming software I have learned the hard way time and time again…software updates come out when carriers are good and damn ready for them to come out

  7. at&t customer

    11/14/2013 at 3:28 am

    Yeah I guess the lesson learned is not to buy something in preparation of something. I’m sorry you have to go through with that

  8. huggybea75

    11/16/2013 at 11:52 am

    Life is funny and so are updates you just have to wait until it happens.

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