Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Release Date Coming: Leaked Firmware For Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Available As Expected Official Roll Out Dates Are Questioned

The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 could begin rolling out on U.S. carriers within days, but while the Note 2 update is still unofficial, there is still time to download the leaked firmware.

SamMobile shared Android 4.3 test firmware for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on Sunday. The build version N7100XXUEMK4, available for download for the GT-N7100 model of the Galaxy Note 2, is said to be stable and believed to be one of the final test builds before Android 4.3 is released for the Note 2.

Such identifiable Android 4.3 features include the implementation of the Galaxy S4/Note 3 user interface and other features introduced in the two more current devices. The Galaxy Note 2 still runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the operating system with which is was first unveiled. There is no indication as to whether the update includes such Galaxy Note 3 specific features as Air Command.

While we don’t recommend installing such firmware onto your Galaxy Note 2, it is available. Those who wish to flash either build should do so with caution and back up their handsets beforehand.

Android 4.3 test firmware for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 information and download.

Will the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 update to Android 4.3 on time?

Though there is test firmware available for the Galaxy Note 2, there is also a growing concern that the Android 4.3 update for the Note 2 may not arrive when it is expected. A leaked Android 4.3 update timeline indicates that rollouts should begin on Wednesday, with the AT&T and Sprint models of the Galaxy Note 2 receiving the update. However, we have not yet even seen international Galaxy Note 2 models start updating prior to the expected U.S. release. Following recent issues with the Android 4.3 update for the Samsung Galaxy S3, some wonder if the Galaxy Note 2 update could be slightly delayed.

Gotta Be Mobile notes, as a late-generation device, the software within the Galaxy Note 2 is much more similar to the Galaxy S3 than the Galaxy S4. Update issues have already plagued the Galaxy S3 both in an out of the U.S. International models of the Galaxy S3 have updated to Android 4.3 and many users have reported such issues as lagging of the user interface and extensive battery drain.

While there has been no word from Samsung or mobile networks on the matter, many suspect these issues have subsequently delayed the Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S3 in the U.S. The Sprint Galaxy S3 was supposed to update on Nov. 6, according to the leaked document, and the AT&T Galaxy S3 was supposed to update on Nov. 13, but both models continue to run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Meanwhile, the current Galaxy S4 has updated seamlessly on several carriers, in accordance with the leaked update timeline, and previous international updates also rolled out with no trouble. But again, with the Galaxy Note 2 being of the same generation as the Galaxy S3, both one generation behind the Galaxy S4, the concern is that the Galaxy Note 2 update may end up having the same issues currently seen in the Galaxy S3 update.

One glimmer of hope was a recent report, which suggested that some Samsung service centers had the Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy Note 2 available, but this rumor was quickly debunked. Other news on the Galaxy Note 2 update is a bit dated, such as Australian carrier Telstra announcing its Android 4.3 roll out date for Nov. 25, and French carrier SFR reporting it will update the Galaxy Note 2 in December. Both carriers announced their plans at least one month ago.

The coming days will be telling, with the Android 4.3 update for the T-Mobile Galaxy S4 expected on Monday according to the update timeline. In addition to the expected Nov. 20 roll out date for the AT&T and Sprint Galaxy Note 2, the Verizon Galaxy S3 is expected to update to Android 4.3 on Nov. 22. Whether or not these devices actually update will likely be a large indication of the state of Android 4.3.

Could the leaked Android 4.3 firmware for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 be an indication that the official update is near? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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