Samsung Galaxy S4 users have been waiting for the updated version of the Android 4.2.2 Jellybean, and the wait could be over soon as suggested by recently leaked videos showing the smartphone running the updated Android OS.
A video recently surfaced showing the latest flagship phone of Samsung running the 4.3 Jellybean in Google Play Edition, hinting the device is available directly from the Google Play Store that runs stock Android.
The video shows a booted Samsung Galaxy S4 with a new Android animation and a flashing Google logo. Once booted, a specialized live wallpaper of the Google Play Edition will appear. It drew comparison to the Phase Beam, but the one in the video appears in bright red.
As reported by GSM Arena, this Google Edition of the Galaxy S4 was based from the i9505 model equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset. The original model runs the Android 4.2 Jellybean ROM.
GSM Arena also said that those who have a regular i9505 Galaxy S4 can also try the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean on their device. The leaked ROM is said to be fully functional with the regular Galaxy S4 with only minor bugs and glitches.
But while Galaxy S4 users can now try the Android 4.3 Jellybean, GSM Arena provided a stern warning:
"There are a few things you need to know before you continue. You need to root your smartphone and install a custom recovery and then flash the leaked ROM through it. Even the locked bootloader of our Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4 unit didn't turn to be an issue. More importantly, this ROM can't be installed via Odin and will void your warranty after the installation."
The leaked video sparked speculations on the eventual release of Galaxy S4 devices running a stock Android 4.3 Jellybean. This will certainly make the competition between the Galaxy S4 and Apple's iPhone 5 more interesting.
The new Samsung Galaxy S4 will be equipped with a new and improved camera interface that is allegedly better than that of the iPhone 5. The Register also reported that Samsung's flagship device edged the iPhone 5 in a recent speed test wherein the Galaxy S4 outscored the iPhone 5 by 91.6 percent.