By 
When Samsung originally promised they’d be bringing Android 4.3 to their flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 lineup in October, we promised we wouldn’t believe it until we saw it. We’re glad to say they fulfilled their promise, as SamMobile is reporting that the illustrious upgrade is starting to go out to several handsets.
What’s new
So what, exactly, does Android 4.3 bring for Samsung’s crop of handsets? Here are just a few of the highlights:
- GALAXY GEAR Support – Samsung Galaxy Gear users can now use the smart watch with their phone, functionality that was previously only available to owns of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
- TRIM Support – New garbage collection platform that will keep your phone lean and mean over time.
- ANT+ Support – Advanced wireless protocol for transmitting vitality data.
- OpenGL 3.0 graphics
- Samsung KNOX – Advanced security and secure bootloader for enterprise
- Samsung Wallet pre-loaded
- New Samsung Keyboard
- Browser now launches in full-screen mode by default
- New Camera firmware
- Less lag and redraws in the TouchWiz launcher
- Better RAM management
- Improved display color accuracy
- Other minor UI tweaks
That’s a huge list, and includes many changes that everyone should be excited about. Android 4.3 itself didn’t bring many changes other than the ones found under the hood (we expect KitKat to bring us more of that), but it all goes toward making Android that much more full-featured and stable of a platform.
How to get it
The rollout is staggered, so if your unlocked version of the device hasn’t seen it yet, then you’ll just have to wait a while longer. Of course, those with carrier branded handsets can expect to wait even longer as carriers have to get their grubby little paws on the updates before they’re approved.
Folks into rooting and flashing ROMs can be sure that the development community will be whipping up the goods before too long. Beyond that, though, the waiting game begins — let’s hope everyone gets their hands on this thing before the close of 2013.
I was so excited to read this, considering I have a Galaxy Gear and I’d prefer using the S4 to the Note 3, until I read the last paragraph and came back to reality.
lol
don’t worry. i’m sure other developers have pulled the new firmware just like i’m about to do. there will be a ROM out by the end of the day, tmw at the latest.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252982
It looks like an earlier build number than the Google Edition – JWR66Y
This is wrong. I’m on MJ5
Who cares. They’ve got traffic on the site.
How about less touchwiz bloat!!
Most excited about camera firmware, trim support, less lag, less redraws. I wonder what they’re changing with the camera – I’ve always felt it took excellent photos…
low light improvement i hope
i can attest that there’s definitely less lag.
laik samsung s4
wonder what this means for the S3
next month
Yeah, next month probably, maybe, if Sammy doesn’t drag it out too long to keep GS4 sales strong.
I’ll be interested to see if any of the GS3 ROMs integrate at least some of the new stuff sooner.
What about the Note 2 I payed $300 for on contract?
It’s update will come in November according to Samsung.
And the Verizon version in March
Lmao! But sad.
I would think that if the carriers are selling the galaxy gear, then it would be in their interest to get this one to as many compatible handsets as possible. I could be wrong but I think that as long as 4.s is limited to the Note 3, the gear will only be good with that device.
How about the HTC ONE?
A lot of people are happy the Note 3 is getting 3GB of RAM. TouchWiz requires 3GB of RAM. LoL!!
Am I hatin’? Why yes I am. I would love to have an ENTIRE 1GB of RAM I never would use. LoL!! I barely go over 1GB on normal usage on my HTC One.
I want 3GB of RAM so I can be reassured. =.3
That moment when your post is off topic.
This article is about the Samsung S4…….no one reading this cares about your hTC. Go troll and “hate” elsewhere.
I wasn’t trolling. I actually want 3GB of RAM. =.=
That moment when everyone thinks you’re being sarcastic.
This is what I get for using Phandroid like it’s a social network. LoL!!
Another retarded HTC fanboy.
And how am I being a fanboy? By appraising what the Galaxy series has better than the HTC phones out now?
Okay. Yea. A fanboy really talks down on the things they have.
Hopefully the WiFi problems I have on my Nexus 10 with 4.3 won’t come to my GS4 with this 4.3 update.
I have updated to Android 4.3 and i am using Samsung Galaxy S4 but I do not see any change in the Camera UI.It is the same old UI.Kinldy let me know if any settings need to be done
WTF? Since my update all my folders containing apps on my home screen are grayed out because some of the apps in those folders are on my SD card and the icons are now gone! They were on my SD card before the update and the icons were perfect. Now I’m looking a a gray home screen because I have all of my apps in folders and they’re all gray! — Does anyone know how to fix this?
Thanks