Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Release Date Arrives: AT&T Galaxy Note 2 And Verizon HTC One Receive New OS After Long Wait

The day that AT&T Galaxy Note 2 and Verizon HTC One owners have been, not so patiently, awaiting is finally here as the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is now rolling out onto both devices.

Android 4.3 updates for Samsung Galaxy devices commenced in mid-October, while the HTC One began receiving the firmware in late September. Since then, most devices have updated to Android 4.3, with some models straggling behind. There is no saying why the AT&T Galaxy Note 2 and the Verizon HTC One took so long to update to Android 4.3. We suspect that the update for the AT&T Galaxy Note 2 was held up due to the Android 4.3 post-update problems that plagued several Samsung Galaxy models. It was the postponement of the Android 4.3 update for the AT&T Galaxy S4 that brought the various update issues to public attention. The Verizon HTC One, however, may simply have fallen into the network’s usual routine of providing device support later than other carriers. Notably, each U.S. model must first be approved for update by their respective carriers before any new firmware can roll out.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update: AT&T Galaxy Note 2

The I317UCUBMK6 build firmware for the AT&T Galaxy Note 2 is currently available over the air. Users can expect the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update to include Galaxy Gear support and the Samsung KNOX security system. The AT&T Galaxy Note 2 will also receive such Premium Suite features as PEN.UP, Group Play 2.5, Multi-Window (Note 3 Version), Camera – Shot & Sound, Group Messaging, Samsung Link (Preload), New Easy Mode and Samsung Apps. Users can check for the update manually by accessing Settings > About device > Software update.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 appears to have largely avoided any problems with Android 4.3 simply because the device did not receive the update until after Samsung began fixing bugs; however, there have been some murmurs that post-update bugs have continued on several Samsung Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3.

According to reports, the models having the most troubles are Sprint Galaxys. The Sprint Galaxy S3 is supposedly having issues with videos skipping in apps such as Netflix and Chrome. The Sprint Galaxy Note 2 is supposedly having issues with battery life and data connections. AT&T Galaxy S3 users have also reported UI lag and excessive battery drain after the Android 4.3 update.

Notably, we updated a T-Mobile Galaxy S4 to Android 4.3 a little over two weeks ago and have not encountered any major problems. Many sources have noted that issues could persist on Galaxy devices, even though Samsung has attempted to fix them. Users who are concerned about possible post-update issues may want to hold off on updating their AT&T Galaxy Note 2 handset until more information becomes available.

Now only the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 remains of Samsung’s flagship devices to receive the Android 4.3 update.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update: Verizon HTC One

The 2.10.605.1 build firmware for the Verizon HTC One is also now available over the air. Users can expect the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update to include other minor improvements such the VZ Cloud backup application and the ability to add your music to video highlights. Users can check for the update manually by accessing Settings > About device > Software update.

The last U.S. HTC One model to update to Android 4.3 was the T-Mobile HTC One in late-October. Since then, there have been no reports of major issues with the update on any models.

After the HTC One Android 4.3 updates, HTC is planning on updating the its mid-range HTC One Mini and HTC One Max to Android 4.3, after which HTC One will begin to update to Android 4.4 KitKat. Android 4.4 updates are expected to commence in late January.

Has your AT&T Galaxy Note 2 or Verizon HTC One updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean? Let us know in the comments below.

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