Yes, you heard it right! Samsung has finally started rolling out Android 4.3 update to the LTE variant of the Samsung Galaxy S III (GT-I9305). Folks with the LTE equipped Galaxy S III have been waiting for this update since a long time now as the device is actually still running Android 4.1.2 because Samsung decided to skip the Android 4.2.2 update. Samsung is always unpredictable with its software updates. However, we must say that Samsung did a pretty good job with its Galaxy Note II as it started rolling out Android 4.3 update for the non-LTE (GT-N7100) and LTE (GT-N7105) variants at the exact same time, but its luck wasn't so great with the Galaxy S III.
Samsung initially started rolling out Android 4.3 update to the Galaxy S III (GT-I9300) back in the first week of November, but due to some serious issues with the firmware it had to pull the update and temporarily suspend the upgrade service. However, Samsung resumed the update service for the Galaxy S III (GT-I9300) a few days ago. Hopefully, the new software update for the LTE Galaxy S III is stable enough for daily use and wouldn't face any issues like its non-LTE variant.
There are quite a lot of changes and improvements in the new Android 4.3 firmware over Android 4.1.2. Samsung has completely changed the core UI to the one found on the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note III. Unfortunately, Samsung is still using the old TouchWiz launcher and widgets from Android 4.1.2. Maybe Samsung will bring it in a future software update. Samsung doesn't provide an official change log for its updates, so we have compiled our own list of changes and improvements that we have noticed.
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ANDROID 4.3 UPDATE
– GALAXY GEAR Support
– TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)
– Core UI elements updated to the ones on the Galaxy S4 (Galaxy S4's theme all over)
– New Samsung Keyboard
– GPU drivers have been updated (Higher GPU benchmark scores)
– New Lockscreen: Multiple Widgets, improved ripple effect than Android 4.1.2, ability to change clock size and set a personal message
– New Screen modes (From S4): Adapt Display and Professional Photo
– Daydream
– KNOX included
– Driving mode
– Actionable notifications
– Move-to-SD-card feature
– New Camera mode : Sound and Shot
– New Additions in Notification Centre
– Completely revamped Settings UI (Tabbed interface – Exactly like the Galaxy S4)
– Implementation of Voice controls (Let’s you control various parts of the phone using voice commands – Galaxy S4 feature)
– New Samsung Apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music
– Full screen Samsung apps
– New S-Voice (from Galaxy S4)
– Found more? Tell us about them in the comments below!
The new 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 S III (GT-I9305), check out our live feed below:
To update your Galaxy S III 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.
Model: GT-I9305
Country: Germany
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2051278
Build date: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 04:17:40 +0000
Product Code: DBT
PDA: I9305XXUEMKC
CSC: I9305DBTEMJ4
MODEM: I9305XXUEMK1
All new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Firmwares for the Galaxy S III (GT-I9305) 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.
Screenshots (from Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update)
