Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update: Where It's Out, And Why The U.S. Has To Wait

Samsung Galaxy S3 owners around the world are wondering the same thing: when is my Jelly Bean update coming? Google released the operating system earlier this year, but the upgrade is taking a long time to roll out, and has many Galaxy S3 users impatient. If you're wondering when you'll get it, here's the lowdown. 

For those the United States, let's get this out of the way - you're going to see Jelly Bean last. Samsung recently sent out a press release with the statement "in the coming months" as the only mention of a date. Previous to that, the Samsung US update page simply reads "Coming Soon!" 

Samsung is still busy rolling out the upgrade to international markets, and the U.S. version will be last since the U.S. Galaxy S3 is different than everyone's, and carriers need time to approve and distribute the upgrade. Google develops Android, which has to then be tailored for the Galaxy S3 by both Samsung and the carrier.

For Galaxy S3 owners in certain parts around world, however, Jelly Bean is already out. Website YouMobile keeps an updated list of which country has already received Jelly Bean and who hasn't. So far 10 countries are listed has having received the Galaxy S3 Jean update: Austria, France, Italy, Korea, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is not a major overhaul to its predecessor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It includes Google's Project Butter, which enhances the smoothness of the interface, as well as Google Now, Google's own voice assistant. 

This is still a small portion of the entire Galaxy S3 market, and let's hope the update comes out sooner rather than later.