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Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update: 5 Final Details

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Today, two more Samsung Galaxy S3 carriers rolled out their respective Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates, meaning, there are only a few more updates left in the United States. With that in mind, it’s time to offer five final details on the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update roll out, a roll out that started just a few short weeks ago.

All the way back in September, Samsung confirmed a trio of upgrades for its Galaxy devices including the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. The company did not say that the updates would be Android 4.3 Jelly Bean though all along, they were all expected to be Google’s final Jelly Bean update.

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Sure enough, in October, Samsung finally detailed the updates saying that it would be rolling out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 and that the update’s would bring not only Galaxy Gear support but also Samsung KNOX and a number of fixes and enhancements, something that put even greater importance on them.

A few days later, Samsung started rolling out the Galaxy S4 update. Then, a few days after that, we finally saw the Samsung Galaxy S3 get its first major Android upgrade of the year. As many users know, the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean roll out has been a roller coaster ride with leaked dates, upgrades getting pulled and tons of vague information. In other words, it has been a pretty standard major Android update roll out.

Even now, weeks later, we are still seeing new developments in the United States and elsewhere. As we approach the end of the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update roll out in the United States, we want to take a look at five final details that Samsung Galaxy S3 users should know about their Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update.

U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update Now Available

Today, we saw the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update roll out to owners and a short time later, Samsung confirmed the U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update for arrival. The U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 update is now rolling out and those on the nation’s fifth largest carrier will find it lurking on their device in the coming days.

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U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 users should be able to pull the update right now using the Simple Upgrade Tool. The process should take a bit of time considering how big the update is so users will want to set aside a few minutes to ensure that the update process goes smoothly. Once the software is on board, the device will be taken from Android 4.1 to Android 4.3 and users will not only have Galaxy Gear support but will also have Samsung KNOX and a number of other enhancements as well.

This is a big time update and it should, in theory, help to make the U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 feel like a fresh device.

Verizon Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update Still Missing

The Sprint and U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 updates mean that the Verizon Galaxy S3 is now the only remaining big name Galaxy S3 without the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. To make things worse, the leaked schedule that leaked out weeks ago suggested that the release date for the Verizon Galaxy S3 would be today.

Thus far, we haven’t seen any movement over at Verizon or at Samsung. Typically, we see Verizon post details before rolling out the update and so far, the carrier has remained silent. Of course, Verizon is known to heavily test its software and given the issues that we’ve seen in the United Kingdom and given the delays that we saw with Sprint and AT&T, it’s possible that Verizon is going to need a little longer to deploy its update.

In recent days, we’ve seen Verizon attempt to shed its “always last to updates” image but it’s clear that it still has some work to do. Not only is the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update last among the big devices, it still hasn’t rolled out the Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update.

T-Mobile Galaxy S3 LTE Update Rumored for Nov. 25th

T-Mobile rolled out its Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update earlier this month but it was for the HSPA+ version not the LTE model, a device that arrived well after the Galaxy S3 first launched. Those who bought into the Galaxy S3 LTE on T-Mobile will be happy to know that T-Mobile says that the update will be arriving soon and the leaked schedule suggested that it would be rolling out on November 25th.

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That date isn’t set in stone but given that T-Mobile has already rolled out one update, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this update roll out in the not-so-distant future. Don’t expect T-Mobile to announce anything ahead of time. Instead, T-Mobile Galaxy S3 LTE users should expect T-Mobile to quietly start pushing out the update after an announcement on its support page.

Samsung UK Mum on Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Update Fix

One of the first regions to get the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update was the United Kingdom. First, we saw it hit Vodafone in the UK, then, the update shifted to other regions. Problem is, the update caused a ton of issues with device owners. In fact, there were so many issues with the update that Samsung was forced to pull the update so that it could investigate issues.

We’ve had a ton of people ask us for answers and at this point, we don’t have any. Samsung UK has gone silent about the problems and has told its customer base to remain patient while it looks into the problems. We haven’t heard or seen any type of estimation when it comes to a Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update fix. We imagine that the company is hard at work, trying to resolve the issues and those who are looking for answers should keep an eye on the company’s Facebook and Twitter page for pertinent information.

For now, users experiencing problems with the upgrade would be wise to head to forums like XDA-Developers forum for help. Often times, temporary fixes will help to make the device far more stable.

So Far, So Good in the United States

From what we’ve heard in the United States, the Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean updates across carriers, have been far more stable than the update in the United Kingdom. Many owners have written in saying that the update installation process was smooth, something that we expected, and that the updates themselves are actually fairly well done.

This is a far cry from what we saw in the United Kingdom, but remember, often times, major bugs won’t show themselves to the world until a few days after the update is installed. So, while everything is good right now, it’s possible that we could see some major issues crop up in the near future.

Galaxy S3 Review Best Of

There is one issue that we keep hearing about. It appears that some AT&T Galaxy S3 users are seeing the download process stop before it’s completed. While many are wondering whether AT&T pulled the software, at this point, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Users are saying that they are still able to get the software update, something that wouldn’t be possible if the update was pulled.

Our advice is to be patient. AT&T’s servers are probably under a heavy load and it could take a day or two for things to smooth. And despite the feedback, users should still proceed with caution.

28 Comments

28 Comments

  1. Dan

    11/22/2013 at 11:06 am

    Verizon needs to do their work.

    What a slacker!!

  2. Ron Miller

    11/22/2013 at 11:40 am

    Incompetence apparently still reigns @ Verizon. If it weren’t for my grandfathered unlimited data plan, I’d have long since moved to AT&T. The fact that they never commented on the (as it turns out) fallacious release date is as reprehensible as being last again.

  3. Mark

    11/22/2013 at 1:13 pm

    I’m with Ron. Without the grandfathered data plan, I’d be long gone with VZ.

    • melvin

      11/22/2013 at 1:45 pm

      Wtf verizon we’re waiting here

  4. Jonathan

    11/22/2013 at 1:48 pm

    And still waiting……

  5. Luka

    11/22/2013 at 2:45 pm

    Lol at least you are expected to get the update without any bugs… If you were in Europe, you wouldn’t even bare to install the update cause of all the bug…

  6. Kevin

    11/22/2013 at 3:22 pm

    Vastly improved UI performance, 4G performance and battery life with the T-Mobile update.

  7. David

    11/22/2013 at 3:30 pm

    How do you still have a grandfathered plan? I was taken off that plan this year.

    If Verizon didn’t have the best service, I would be long gone. I’m so sick of Verizon always being the last to update Android!!!!

  8. Ryan

    11/22/2013 at 4:58 pm

    The fact that I still have Verizon’s unlimited grandfather plan is the only reason I am still with Verizon. This is the second 4g android phone I have had that has been waiting for updates long past everyone else or expected times. I understand holding off on 4.2, and testing against bugs like the one I experienced with 4.1.2. But Verizon you are sooooo slow with updates that you still don’t get right. I don’t want to switch to apple, but they are the only one who seems to have the ability to require Verizon to do there job in a timely fashion. Maybe it would be quicker if Verizon didn’t have to test all those garbage bloatware apps that no one uses when dealing with OS updates.

  9. glenn

    11/22/2013 at 6:10 pm

    I’m on mobile but the update haste some glitches . I wish I waited to download.Verizon is probably waiting for them to fix it.

  10. dexman

    11/22/2013 at 6:31 pm

    4.3 has been a nightmare for S4 owners. Buggy to say the least. VZW S3 owners that have not upgraded may want to hold off even if the software has been sent to their phones.

  11. Amaury H.

    11/22/2013 at 7:39 pm

    Verizon, just let the rollout begin. We have a plethera of talented developers out here that will fix it for you. Give them the source code and within a week they’ll do the job for you. Then you can throw some donations their way to show your appreciation…….

  12. dexman

    11/22/2013 at 7:54 pm

    As noted above, 4.3 has been a disaster for S4 users. So much so that AT&T has halted the roll out and Samsung is supposed to be issuing a fix around mid December. S3 owners may want to hold off updating at this time.

  13. ryot

    11/23/2013 at 1:57 am

    Sprint galaxy note 2 4.3 got it wooo

    • Rick F

      11/23/2013 at 5:48 am

      Verizon is a joke when it comes to update.Always the last one,and still as always get it wrong every freaking time.Stop telling lies to the public saying that you tested vigorously,cut the crap and admit that you have no freaking clue whatwhat you are doing

      • Madeline Schwarzerose

        11/24/2013 at 2:28 am

        I think you are wrong, it is only wise not to allow your users to a suicide update for the phone…

    • Jay

      11/23/2013 at 9:30 am

      Where are you at? Nothing in Oklahoma yet..

  14. Vik

    11/23/2013 at 8:07 pm

    Don’t complain about Verizon. I’m on AT&T and it took us like 6 months more than anybody else to get the update to 4.1.2 that brought the split screen. All this time I’ve been cursing at AT&T and wishing I was with Verizon.

    • dexman

      11/23/2013 at 8:40 pm

      Verizon tends to be slow with the roll out of new phones. With the 4.3 update, the software was pushed along and S4 owners like me now have impaired (to varying degrees) phones.

  15. mudit

    11/23/2013 at 9:36 pm

    when will gs3 international version get 4.3 update… still wating.

    • Madeline Schwarzerose

      11/24/2013 at 2:22 am

      I can’t say about other countries but in UK they stoped the update for now until they find out where is the problem. No one knows whem or if the “lucky” rest of us that didn’t received the update will ever take it.

  16. Bugfan1Janet

    11/24/2013 at 7:19 pm

    I’m definitely willing to wait & make sure Verizon has tested the update real good instead of releasing a major update with MANY glitches. So this is one Verizon customer that’s NOT freaking out over this. Definitely NOT gonna leave a company that’s proven time & time again to my family & myself and friends that they are “WAY ABOVE” AT&T in cellular service & also in customer service. And we are NOT grandfathered in anymore. But we don’t have a problem at all with speed. That’s for sure. In fact; the people that I know that are still on the grandfathered plan suffer from their speeds lagging. Go figure.

  17. phillip beren

    11/25/2013 at 9:43 am

    I have AT&T. I updated my S3 to 4.3 and now my flash goes off when i receive calls/texts/emails. No other issues.

  18. Dana

    12/03/2013 at 7:55 am

    I just updated my Virgin Mobile phone this morning, and it’s much more stable now, the screen seems to be more crisp and clear, and the colors aren’t off like they were before. This was a much needed update!

  19. nirav

    12/06/2013 at 5:05 am

    When will 4.3 update for s3 comes in india

  20. ward9428

    12/08/2013 at 6:35 am

    Why cant I update? Im still rollin with 4.1 jelly bean..

  21. sean

    12/09/2013 at 10:52 am

    Here’s what I noticed so far

    -A long list of notifications keep popping up, even though I have cleared them many times… for example, things I downloaded months ago keep popping up in my notifications. This list reappears faithfully every hour!
    -In general things are slower and movement is a little jerky. Prior to the upgrade, when I used the task killer app to kill all unused apps, I would routinely have 1000M free… now the most I ever have is about 800M! The phone is slower and the battery doesn’t last as long!!! Terrible!!!
    -Some settings in the alarm clock application were reset / changed. My alarm tones all changed and I almost didn’t wake up on time for work!
    -In the music player, when I add a song to the playlist, the music player app now automatically takes me to the list… It makes compiling a playlist an extremely tedious task
    -Email app is very annoying to use now–I have multiple mailboxes, and they were easier to access in the past. The new layout is not as good.
    -If I launch an app from a subfolder, after I quit the app, the subfolder is still open!!! Why??
    -Why is the first photo in each photo gallery 4x as big as the other photos? This is kind of pointless.
    -Why do my text messages pop up on my lock screen? Anyone can see them!!!
    -All my playlists were cleared!!!
    -What is with these widgets on the lock screen? What is the point of a lock screen if there are widgets all over it? I can’t turn these widgets off!!! And when I tap on the widgets, a functionless box pops up!!! WTF!!!

    4.3 is terrible! Don’t download it!

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