Connect with us

Android

Verizon Galaxy S4 Update Arrives, Still Waiting on Android 4.3

Published

on

Today Verizon Wireless and Samsung have issued a software update for the popular Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone, although you still won’t be enjoying the latest and greatest Android OS. The update is still Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and at this point we’re not sure when US carriers will be seeing the latest update.

Earlier this month reports confirmed an October release date of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S4, but that’s for the international version and as usual carriers won’t be nearly as fast to the update, especially Verizon. During the Note 3 unveil Samsung confirmed the Note 2, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy S4 would all receive the update, but they won’t start until sometime in October.

The Galaxy S4 runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean at the moment.

With that, Verizon’s Galaxy S4 is getting an update from build VRUDMI1 from VRUAME7 which is still Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and we have no details on when the 4.3 update will arrive. Which means the bump to Android 4.4 KitKat is even further out, once it arrives.

Verizon’s update today for the GS4 isn’t over the air, and instead users selecting to use the Verizon Upgrade Assistant program on their PC or MAC will be prompted to accept the update once connected via micro-USB. We’re hearing this very minor software update is mainly security fixes, which will also kill root access for developers and Android enthusiasts, but everyone else should grab it for the security improvements.

In the previous years Samsung has been extremely quick with updates, but the Android 4.3 upgrade we’re seeing HTC beat them to the punch. Having already updated its HTC One to 4.3 on Sprint and AT&T, with T-Mobile and Verizon coming up next. Samsung needs to hurry and get this update out the door, then start preparing for Android 4.4 KitKat, which is expected to arrive on the 31st.

Maybe Samsung should just pull an HTC and skip a generation altogether to update the Galaxy range directly to Android 4.4 KitKat. That would be ideal.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Adam

    10/15/2013 at 4:22 pm

    Correction: VRUAME7 to VRUDMI1.

  2. Mardee Thompson

    10/16/2013 at 5:40 am

    They better hurry, I want to use the Galaxy Gear with my S4 on Verizon!

  3. David B

    10/16/2013 at 7:16 am

    doesn’t sound like they addressed the problem of using the ‘universal’ inbox with non-gmail accounts – emails are randomly deleted (or reappear) and don’t even go to the trash. WTF, Samsung?

  4. Alex

    10/16/2013 at 9:47 am

    Samsung is already skipping a software update (at least for GSIII owners), going from 4.1.2 to 4.3, skipping 4.2 all together.

  5. Sia

    10/16/2013 at 10:09 am

    FYI – The update IS OVER THE AIR. My GS4 with Verizon is installing the update as I type this. It located and downloaded the update OTA and my text message alert sounded. I turned the phone on and it asked to update. 10/16/2013 @ 11:00am MST.

    • adam

      10/17/2013 at 9:27 am

      That is correct. I’m doing the same thing.

  6. mike

    10/16/2013 at 10:15 am

    my update came through while i was connected through wifi…still 4.2.2 (GS4 Verizon)

  7. shawn

    10/17/2013 at 3:14 pm

    Installed OTA update. Now when I reboot it shows SAMSUNG -unlocked padlock – with CUSTOM underneath. Does this mean it thinks I rooted my phone? Root checker app says no root access. WTF?

  8. Cole

    10/20/2013 at 5:13 pm

    That wasn’t a 4.3 update, just some Verizon update. Stays 4.2.2

  9. Tammy Liscio

    10/21/2013 at 6:48 am

    That’s not 4.3.
    I got that too.

  10. JohnP

    10/21/2013 at 4:51 pm

    Note if you connect to your PC it will be able to per the article.

  11. Jay Korff

    10/23/2013 at 7:02 pm

    After update my battery life has been cut in half. frustrating. I’m leaving Verizon if this is not corrected.

  12. Brian

    10/25/2013 at 4:40 am

    I have same issue. my battery life is draining and im not using it. my wife’s phone took the update but hers is working fine. WTF!!!. reseated battery and still same thing.

  13. dan

    10/25/2013 at 7:51 am

    After turning my phone on the morning my Wi-Fi will stop working. I have to turn wifi off and then on to get it working. It works for a while then I have to repeat. I do this several times then it stays up the rest of the day.

  14. grahm

    10/29/2013 at 2:52 pm

    Wifi no longer connects automatically. I have to shut it off and on each time I change networks. Frustrating for a college student on a budget.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.