After what seems like an eternity, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is finally receiving its first major Android update in well over half a year. That's right folks, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is rolling out.
Owners of the Samsung Galaxy S3 model GT-I9300 will be pleased to know that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware is available for download over the air and through Samsung's KIES software. Those looking to snag the firmware off the air will have to abide by the usual over-the-air rollout process: the upgrade will be pushed out in batches, meaning that some regions and handsets will get it before others.
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is the first Android upgrade for the Samsung Galaxy S3 since Android 4.1.2, and brings a number of changes alongside the usual performance-and-security enhancing tweaks. The entire interface is more in line with the newer Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, although Samsung did not include its KNOX security software .
According to SamMobile, the following are the changes that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update brings to the Galaxy S3:
"- GALAXY GEAR Support
- TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)
- ANT+ Support
- 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
- 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)"
The update should land on carrier-tied variants in the coming weeks. Samsung is aggressively upgrading its flagship devices to Android 4.3 because Android 4.3 is the only Android with Bluetooth 4.0 LE support, a requirement for full connectivity with the Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
Let us know if you've downloaded Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for your Samsung Galaxy S4 and what you think of it in the comments section below.