Only this weekend! Samsung Discover deals! Galaxy S24 Ultra, Watch 6, Z Fold 5 or, Z Flip 5.

SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a commission.

Notifications
    News for you

    Samsung releases official Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500)

    Firmware
    By 

    Last updated: October 21st, 2013 at 08:28 UTC+02:00

    Samsung promised at its Mobile UNPACKED Episode 2 event that it will start rolling out Galaxy S4 updates in October and we are very pleased that Samsung has kept their promise. As Samsung has just started rolling out Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update to the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500).

    Samsung is always a bit late with updating its devices to the latest version of Android but always manages to delivers the most bug free and stable software after a ton of R&D. Also, Samsung is the only OEM which gives its older devices the latest version of Android even after completing the usual 18 month update cycle. For example, Samsung provided Galaxy S II users 2 major Android updates (Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean), a device which was released in April of 2011 and initially shipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), and finally ended its support in May 2013 (25 Months).

    Now let's talk about the new Android 4.3 update. There are not much visual changes but there are a ton of under the hood improvements and optimisations. The device simply feels much faster than before, and benchmark scores have significantly increased as well. In Antutu Benchmark we used to get a score of 25-26K with Android 4.2.2 and now with Android 4.3 we get around 29-30K. Samsung doesn't provide an official change log for its updates but after testing a few internal builds and this official one, we can give you folks our own list of changes and improvements we have noticed.

    CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ANDROID 4.3 UPDATE
    – TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)
    – ANT+ Support
    – Samsung KNOX Implementation (KNOX bootloader and dedicated application)
    – Samsung Wallet comes pre-loaded
    – Improved RAM management
    – Improved Display colour reproduction (Display looks much sharper than before)
    – Improved TouchWiz Launcher (Much less launcher redraws and less lag)
    – New Samsung Keyboard
    – New Samsung Browser (Full screen by default, new tab interface and more)
    – New Reading Mode (Optimises display for reading, used by only a few specific applications)
    – New Camera firmware
    – Minor UI tweaks (Contacts app, Flashlight Widget, dialog boxes etc)
    20131001_003227
    The software update is being rolled out in phases, so it may not yet be available in your country at the moment but don't worry it will arrive very soon. If your device is carrier branded then it might take sometime as the update has to get improved by the carrier first and only then Samsung will make it available for your device.

    To keep track of the countries and carriers receiving the new Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update for the Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500), check out our live feed below:

    To update your Galaxy S4 to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, connect your device to your computer and use Samsung KIES or simply use Samsung's OTA service. To download and install the firmware via OTA, go to Settings > More > About Device > Software update > Update.

    All new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Firmwares for the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500) are present in our Firmware Section, as well. You can use our Firmware Section to manually update your device if for some reason you can't officially update your device via Samsung Kies or via OTA as you might be using a Custom ROM or if your country has not yet received the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update. Also, bookmark this page as we will keep this page up to date with the latest information on countries and carriers releasing the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update.

    VIDEO

    SCREENSHOTS (From Android 4.3 test firmware)

    Firmware Android 4.3FOTASamsung Galaxy S4Samsung KIES

    You might also like

    Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE (GT-I9505) receives official Android 4.4.2 KitKat update

    Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE (GT-I9505) receives official Android 4.4.2 KitKat update

    After the Exynos variant, Samsung has just started to roll out Android 4.4.2 KitKat upgrade to the Snapdragon variant of the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505). For the first time ever the Exynos variant has received a major update before the Snapdragon variant, usually it's the other way around. The new Android 4.4.2 brings minor UI changes, […]

    • By Faryaab S.
    • 10 years ago
    Samsung rolls out Android 4.4.2 KitKat update to the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500)

    Samsung rolls out Android 4.4.2 KitKat update to the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500)

    It looks like Samsung wants to update its last year's flagship devices to the latest version of Android, 4.4.2 KitKat, before the release of its next flagship device, the Galaxy S5. After the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung has now started rolling out Android 4.4.2 KitKat to the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500). The latest Android 4.4.2 update brings […]

    • By Faryaab S.
    • 10 years ago
    Exclusive: I9505XXUFNAD – Leaked Android 4.4.2 KitKat Test Firmware for Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505)

    Exclusive: I9505XXUFNAD – Leaked Android 4.4.2 KitKat Test Firmware for Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505)

    It's been a few weeks since the official Android 4.4 KitKat release for the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy S4 has still not received its update by Samsung. Plus, it's been a while since we released a test build, so we decided to release one of the latest test firmwares – I9505XXUFNAD – for […]

    • By Faryaab S.
    • 10 years ago
    AT&T pushing out Android 4.3 update to Galaxy S4 Active

    AT&T pushing out Android 4.3 update to Galaxy S4 Active

    The Galaxy S4 has been reaping the benefits of Android 4.3 for a while, and now it's the turn of its ruggedized sibling, the Galaxy S4 Active, to start taking the leap to the newer version of Android. AT&T has begun pushing the Android 4.3 update to the S4 Active over the air in a […]

    • By Danny Dorresteijn
    • 10 years ago
    Samsung Galaxy S III receiving Android 4.3 update in India (I9300XWUGML4)

    Samsung Galaxy S III receiving Android 4.3 update in India (I9300XWUGML4)

    The Galaxy S III is finally receiving the Android 4.3 update in India, more than a month after the update started rolling out in the US and a few other regions. The OTA update (build I9300XWUGML4) comes in at around 408 MB, and brings with it compatibility with the Galaxy Gear (though the smartwatch's high cost […]

    • By Abhijeet Mishra
    • 10 years ago
    Verizon Galaxy Note II’s Android 4.3 treat is a go (build VRUEMJ9)

    Verizon Galaxy Note II’s Android 4.3 treat is a go (build VRUEMJ9)

    Following the Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S III, Verizon is now pushing the new version of Android to the Galaxy Note II. The update has the build number VRUEMJ9 attached to it, and brings many new features including Galaxy Gear compatibility, faster performance, KNOX support, upgraded interface, new Samsung apps like S Voice and […]

    • By Johan Nenzén
    • 10 years ago