Samsung Galaxy S4 owners are finally on the cusp of receiving their first major Android update to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. New information from the technosphere indicates that the update could roll out as early as Oct. 19.
SamMobile, a Samsung-centered website well known for its inside scoops on Samsung firmwares, tweeted on Oct. 12 that the Galaxy S4 Android update was only one to two weeks away.
#BREAKING Android 4.3 update Galaxy S4 is close. 1/2 weeks
— SAMMobile (@SamMobiles) October 12, 2013
A quick look at the calendar shows that translates to the dates of Oct. 19-Oct. 26. Of course, the dates are just an estimate, but it does indicate that Samsung is on track to keep its promise of delivering Android 4.3 to the Galaxy S4 during October. A test build of Android 4.3 for the Galaxy S4 has already been leaked onto the Internet for those who can't wait for the official release.
The time frame mentioned above most likely only applies to international variants of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Carrier-tied models, like those tethered to AT&T or Verizon, will probably have to wait longer for networks to approve and distribute the firmware. If everything goes smoothly, most Galaxy S4s should have Android 4.3 before 2013 is over.
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean won't bring any major changes to the Android user interface, but it is the first version of Android to support Bluetooth 4.0 LE, which is required for full connectivity with Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
The Galaxy S4 release will be followed by updates to the 2012 flagship lineup of the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 smartphones. Samsung announced at an event early September that it was going to aggressively focus on upgrading its lineup to Android 4.3, presumably to give consumers a variety of options through which they can connect with the Galaxy Gear.
Check back with Latinos Post for more information on Samsung Galaxy S4 updates as it becomes available.