Samsung has finally set the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update free for its current flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone. Users of the handset will start seeing the handset software update landing over the next few weeks.
Users across social networks Twitter and Facebook have been confirming that the latest 4.3 update has been arriving on their phones via an over the air update as of yesterday.
Currently the update is landing on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 equipped version of the handset, which is good for us UK folk who only have access to this slightly slower version of the smartphone. Users with the Samsung Exynos octa-core version (US and elsewhere) of the S4 haven’t been seen boasting about the update just yet.
Users in Germany seem to have been receiving the update first, which bodes well for us all in Europe as it would seem that the update will roll out across Europe before anywhere else. The 4.3 update will bring a few changes to the Android OS, but nothing too life changing. Google’s latest update includes support for the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, Open GL 3.0 support, Samsung Knox, TRIM support, improved RAM management, improved display colour reproduction, a better launcher with less issues, a new keyboard, a new Samsung browser, Samsung Wallet pre-installed, a new Reading Mode, new Camera firmware, and minor UI tweaks.
Samsung has also responded to reports of widespread battery problems that have been affecting Galaxy S4 users (more so in Germany) where people have seen the batteries are fast-draining power and some units are even swelling up and pushing against the case of the phone.
A statement to TrustedReviews where the company states that they are “committed to providing the best possible user experience for our customers.”
The full statement reads: “We are aware of this issue, which has affected a limited number of customers.
“We ask all affected customers to please visit their nearest Samsung Electronics service centre, where they can receive a replacement battery for free of charge. We remain committed to providing the best possible user experience for our customers.”
If you find that your Samsung Galaxy S4 battery is playing up, Samsung urges you to bring it in to your nearest Samsung Electronics service centre, where a replacement battery will be provided.
Whether the new batteries will be any more reliable is unclear, but at least you can always go back and get it replaced again if you’re unlucky enough to have two faulty batteries.
So basically, Samsung are offering new replacement batteries for customers with the S4 who are experiencing battery-related issues with the handset. If your S4 has a swollen or fast-draining battery then we’d suggest to get in touch with Samsung as soon as possible.