Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Release Date Arrives: Sprint And US Cellular Models Receive OS; Firmware Reportedly Stable For US Models

Two more Samsung Galaxy models have recently been updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean: The Galaxy S3 for Sprint, and the Galaxy S3 for U.S. Cellular.

The updates began late last week amid a lot of confusion from Samsung. While Android 4.3 rollouts continued for some Samsung Galaxy models, other rollouts have been postponed while the Korean manufacturer sorts out bugs. Android 4.3 updates for Samsung Galaxy S4 have notably come to a screeching halt after being particularly speedy in comparison with other rollouts. The Android 4.3 updates for AT&T and U.S. Cellular models of the Galaxy S4 in particular were announced as suspended after a host of issues were reported.

The Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S3 international model appears to still be under investigation for the source of its bugs. Samsung has made no further comment about that particular Galaxy S3 model since it announced that the device’s Android 4.3 update had too many problems to continue a rollout.

Since then, the Galaxy S3 on four major mobile networks -- Sprint, U.S. Cellular, T-Mobile and AT&T -- has been updated to Android 4.3, as has the Sprint Galaxy Note 2. Reports indicate that the Android 4.3 firmware now rolling out onto U.S. models of the Galaxy S3 may still contain a few bugs, but is stable enough for Samsung to allow a public rollout.

The only major U.S. carrier yet to update its Galaxy S3 model is Verizon, which is known for its tardiness when it comes to device updates. The model was intended to be updated on Friday, according to the leaked Android 4.3 timeline for Samsung, but the other Galaxy S3 models also missed their rollout dates and were updated a short time later.

The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S3 includes such features as Samsung KNOX and Samsung Galaxy Gear support, as well as Premium Suite features including Group Play 2.5, Multi-Window (Galaxy S4 Version), Sound & Shot camera feature, Group Messaging, Samsung Link and HD Voice enhancements.

The L710VPMJ9 build Android 4.3 firmware for the Sprint Galaxy S3 and the R530UVXUBMJA build firmware for the U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3 are currently available over the air and should be coming to handsets over the next week. As always, users can check for the update manually by accessing Settings > About device > Software update.

Have you received the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for your Sprint or U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3? Let us know in the comments below.

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