Folks in Asia, are getting a last-minute Christmas present as Samsung has started shipping the Galaxy S3 Mini over there with Android 4.1.2 pre-installed. The device, which launched recently, has been shipping with Android 4.1.1.
Consumers in Indonesia and Vietnam are the first to receive this pleasant surprise, according to SamMobile. Other parts of Asia, and Europe, should soon follow.
Android 4.1.2 for the Galaxy S3 Mini includes the Premium Suite upgrade, which introduces some features previously only found on the Galaxy Note 2 such as Multi-Window and the Paper Artist app.
If you can't wait for the Android 4.1.2 update to hit your region, you can head over to XDA to download the firmware. As usual, exercise caution when flashing your device, and always make sure to back up your handset.
U.S. owners will sadly miss out on the whole fanfare, because of the legal web Samsung is entangled in with Apple in the country. The Cupertino-based tech giant agreed to drop the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini from its ban lawsuit on the condition that Samsung keeps its existing policy of not bringing the handset to the United States. Unless Samsung wants a judicial fiasco on its hands, it's going to have to keep the Galaxy S3 Mini off U.S. retail stores' shelves.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini is not only smaller than the Galaxy S3, but is also less flashy on the spec end of things. The display has a lower resolution, the processor is slower, and the handset sports less RAM. Still, its size and Galaxy S3-esque design make it quite an appealing purchase for those looking for a mid-range handset.
If you have the chance to give Android 4.1.2 a test drive on the Galaxy S3 Mini, let us know what you think of it in the comments below.