Connect with us

Android

Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update Hits US: What Users Need to Know

Published

on

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, which started rolling out internationally a few days ago, has hit the United States for the first time today with the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update now available to users. With anticipation high amongst other Galaxy S3 owners, we take a look at the most important things that Galaxy S3 users need to know about the update.

Back in September, Samsung announced that it would be bringing a new Galaxy Gear accessory to market. The Galaxy Gear, which has received mixed reviews, is a Bluetooth accessory that acts like a smartwatch in that its worn on the wrist and allows users to perform a variety of smart functions. The device went on sale with the Galaxy Note 3 in early October though the device didn’t have compatibility with any devices beyond the new Galaxy Note.

At the Galaxy Note 3 launch event, Samsung announced three updates for its Galaxy devices, updates that would deliver Galaxy Gear support to Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners in the United States and elsewhere. The updates, presumed to be the missing Android 4.3 updates, would get detailed a few weeks later and were shown to not only have Galaxy Gear support on board, but Samsung KNOX and an assortment of other enhancements.

Samsung, however, did not say when the software updates would roll out. Instead, users were made to wait until the day of the roll out to find out when they would get Galaxy Gear support and the other features. Last month, we saw the Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 roll out begin. And, as expected, earlier this month, we saw the Galaxy S3 Android roll out begin though until recently, the software was unavailable to owners in the United States. For many owners, it still is.

Today, however, the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update landed and is now available to download and install. With the update now available in the United States, it’s time to take a look at the important things that Galaxy S3 owners in the U.S. need to know about the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update.

Samsung Kies Should Be an Option

Today, T-Mobile announced that the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update would roll out, well, today. As expected, the software is available Over-the-Air (OTA) which means that owners of the T-Mobile Galaxy S3, at least owners of the HSPA+ version, can head on into their settings to check if the update is there. T-Mobile is also offering the software through Samsung Kies.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is rumored to arrive with a familiar plastic design.

What this means is that we could see other carriers do the same thing. Samsung Kies will provide Galaxy S3 users a way to get the software update earlier than the OTA roll out. Often, OTA updates can last over the course of a few days, sometimes even weeks so Samsung Kies will be a welcomed sight for those that want to get the software as soon as possible. Important for those who are starting to grow impatient.

T-Mobile Galaxy S3 LTE Android 4.3 Update Might Be Next

We haven’t seen any other carriers announce anything so it’s possible that the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 LTE will be the next device to get the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. T-Mobile says that the update will be coming out soon and thanks to the leaked update schedule, November 25th is looking like a pretty likely roll out date at this point.

While there aren’t a ton of T-Mobile Galaxy S3 LTE owners out there, the device launched way too late in the game, those who did buy in will be happy to know that the update will be rolling out sometime soon. And yes, we are taking T-Mobile’s word for it at this point.

Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Release Dates Up in the Air

As for the rest of the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates, release dates are up in the air at this point. We’ve already seen the AT&T and Sprint Galaxy S3 release dates come and go without any roll outs and at this point, we aren’t entirely sure when they will be rolling out to users. And because these two updates missed their dates, the rumored November 22nd Verizon Galaxy S3 roll out doesn’t inspire any confidence.

bbandroid4.3-620x203 8.42.05 AM

That said, the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 roll out is a good sign. And if the software arrives for owners without any major issues, an even better sign. Remember, the AT&T and Sprint Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 updates may have been delayed due to issues. So, Galaxy S3 owners in the United States should not count on any dates. Instead, remain patient. The updates will arrive when the carriers are ready.

Again, Roll Outs Will Come Without Warning

There are a ton of people looking for answers through social media, through email, and on the phone. By now, we would hope that Galaxy S3 and other Android smartphone users would know that these are not reliable ways of obtaining information. Customer service representatives often pass along bad information or simply have no idea. Point is, know that these carriers won’t release any information until they are ready to roll out the updates.

Samsung Galaxy S3 wireless charger Review - 004

Today’s T-Mobile Galaxy S3 update is a prime example. Nobody saw this update coming today and T-Mobile quietly announced the roll out through its device support page, a place that most people don’t check on a regular basis. Other carriers will more than likely follow suit so Galaxy S3 owners on other carriers simply need to sit back, relax, and know that carriers won’t pass along any official information until the day of the roll out. That’s how it works.

Stop Looking for Leaks

At this point, it’s time to stop looking for official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update leaks. We haven’t seen any for the Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 2 in the United States and we would be shocked to see official software leak out this close to official roll outs. Those that want to get the software early will likely have Samsung Kies as an option but again, that option won’t arrive until the official roll out arrives, if at all.

Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update Issues

Finally, Galaxy S3 users in the United States should be aware of the issues that are plaguing the Galaxy S3 in the United Kingdom. While we may not see these issues arrive on board updates in the United States, it’s important to take them into consideration before blindly installing the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update when it rolls out.

More often than not, big time Android updates have some bugs on board. Yes, they fix issues too, but they also tend to bring some new problems as well. Those that are worried will want to hold off on updating, especially if the prompt to update arrives on day one. Galaxy S3 owners should instead take a look around and see what user feedback is like.

Galaxy S3 Review Best Of

Many Galaxy S3 owners who held off on the Android 4.3 update in the United Kingdom did so because they read our reports or found out about the problems somewhere else. Often times, these issues don’t appear for a few days so those concerned with stability and performance may want to wait a few days to see how things turn out.

The waiting game is never fun but it’s also never fun to have a device that isn’t working properly. And there is a chance, given the issues we’ve seen from Samsung’s Android 4.3 updates, that these updates could have some problems on board.

28 Comments

28 Comments

  1. Wesley House

    11/19/2013 at 8:54 pm

    You must be new to samsung devices.. Anyone wanting this earlier just hit up xda and READ.

  2. Frank

    11/19/2013 at 10:43 pm

    Dont download this 4.3 update. It’s full of bug’s. My phone is the galaxy s3 and it is rendered useless since i downloaded this update. Samsung need to get a fix in place rapidly. Google the problems and wait a while until samsung sort out all the issues

  3. Bim Star

    11/19/2013 at 11:33 pm

    “Unfortunately, TouchWiz home has stopped.” – I now can not use my phone at all. How can I fix?

    • Wesley House

      11/19/2013 at 11:35 pm

      factory wipe should handle that .

      • Bim Star

        11/19/2013 at 11:55 pm

        wow… that kinda sucks…

    • Bim Star

      11/19/2013 at 11:57 pm

      Thanks for the help

      • Arthur

        11/20/2013 at 12:43 am

        Is het geholpen?

  4. Pranavan

    11/19/2013 at 11:46 pm

    Hi,
    I have update to 4.3 my Samsung S3 SGH-T999L via Samsung Kies, it’s become hardbrick ?
    can’t turn it on back, can’t able enter recover mode, fully dead. only light up red while connecting to PC.
    Please help me, Thanks

    • dan

      11/20/2013 at 8:33 am

      The update was for the non-LTE variant. So the firmware you just installed was not for your phone- hence the hard brick you’re experiencing.

      • Pranavan

        11/20/2013 at 9:02 am

        inside phone battery cover it’s says T999 but it has LTE (4G) network :| so it’s T999L ?

  5. jgmccabe

    11/20/2013 at 2:10 am

    I think you should make the issues part of this article more prominent; I believe people are more likely to skim over it in the location rather than taking account that the 4.3. update really has screwed over loads of people who have installed it in the UK and Ireland, as well as those who have downloaded and installed the UK or Ireland versions in other countries. Please make the reported problems part more prominent so other people can make a better choice.

    • Barinder

      11/20/2013 at 6:25 am

      I updated my s3 tmobile to 4.3 ,it is working for me,updated smoothly

  6. mark

    11/20/2013 at 9:29 am

    i just received the offcial AT&T android 4.3 update OTA finallyyyyyyyy

  7. Quan

    11/20/2013 at 10:16 am

    Hi All:

    FYI – I have S3 Tmo. update to 4.3 via Kies yesterday and everything seems to be working fine. Hope this helps.

  8. Ritesh

    11/20/2013 at 10:22 am

    I have galaxy s3 I 9300
    When will i get 4.3 andriod updates
    In India

  9. George

    11/20/2013 at 11:49 am

    I have a Galaxy S3 Gt-i9300. I use straight talk service but have an AT&T sim card. When will I get the update.

    • George

      11/20/2013 at 11:52 am

      also i live in NC. Im currently using 4.1.2 … Im trying not to flash my phone but I want the 4.3 update. Will it be available 2 me with the AT&T release? Or b/c I have an international phone do i need an international update?

  10. Ken Wheeley

    11/20/2013 at 12:10 pm

    BTW: I have AT&T (Dallas/Ft. Worth area) and just upgraded to 4.3 this morning.

  11. john

    11/20/2013 at 9:21 pm

    Will I have the option to deny the 4.3 update? T-mobile.

    • gosimer

      11/21/2013 at 10:29 am

      No one has to update. Its not. Manditory

  12. chris

    11/21/2013 at 7:29 am

    i got the update on my s3 and is working fine so far

  13. Jeffrey

    11/21/2013 at 12:51 pm

    Well, let me get this out of the way right now. Plan on doing a factory reset once you’ve installed on your Galaxy S III with T-Mobile. There I said it! Now for the reasons why – – – the update went really smooth & I was relieved until weird things started happening. 1 . Date on lock screen displayed but not checked in settings 2. Contacts were destroyed. Had to resync with Outlook. 3. Bluetooth headset keeps disconnecting. 4. Battery issues – Made a 50 minute call & my battery drained from 71% to 37%. 5. Some of my notifications are duplicating and on and on and on……..

    • Hasanat Alam

      11/28/2013 at 8:24 am

      hi
      i also have the same issue, i think i should return to the 4.1
      if u get any idea to resolve it please also inform me here or at [email protected]
      thanks

  14. Jason Strudwick

    11/21/2013 at 3:34 pm

    Dont do it yet guys wait for the major problems to be sorted as they are pretty major problems. You might think its ok then bam 2 days later you got a brick!! Be sure first!! I have heard nothing good here in the uk about this update yet. so I will be holding off!!

  15. Hasanat Alam

    11/28/2013 at 8:31 am

    hi
    i have s3 and i upgrade that up to 4.3 (officially) now the major problm with my mobile is battery back up with drains totally in 3 to 3.30 hours ……………..didnot know what to do please help me ….. is it common issue ? i should return to 4.1?

  16. Satyajeet

    12/13/2013 at 7:41 am

    I have a S3 I9300 with a straight talk having AT&T SIM. How can I get the Android 4.3 update?

  17. Nina M.

    08/03/2014 at 10:44 pm

    will the straight talk samsung galaxy s3 get the update?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.