Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Release Date Coming: Samsung Galaxy S3 Photo Leak Reminds Us System Update Is On The Way

The elusive Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for older Samsung devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 is expected in October; however, the Galaxy S3 has recently been spotted in the wild running the new operating system ahead of the scheduled rollout.

Tech blog AndroidSaS got its hands on a blurry photo of a Samsung Galaxy S3 international model showing the Android 4.3 operating system on its "about device" page. This isn’t our first sighting of the Galaxy S3 sporting Android 4.3. Back in July, the guys at Temefy shared an image from its insider at Samsung R&D India of the Galaxy S3. Similarly, its "about phone" page showed the handset running Android 4.3, build JDQ47. We can’t quite make out the build number of this current Android 4.3 leak on a Galaxy S3; however, it is notably different from the last.

There is no way to confirm the validity of the photo; however, tech website SamMobile believes the leak is a fake. This does not mean that the Android 4.3 is not on its way to the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Samsung announced after the unveiling of its new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 that the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 will receive Android 4.3 updates in October. Additionally, the Korean manufacturer announced during its Sept. 4 unveiling of the Galaxy Note 3 that older devices including the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 would receive software support for compatibility with the newly unveiled Galaxy Gear smart watch. Many believe that the software support could come from Android 4.3, which includes the Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity needed to connect to external accessories such as Galaxy Gear to compatible handsets. News about the Android 4.3 updates for older devices has been scarce since the Galaxy Note 3 unveiling.

At the least we have a reminder that Android 4.3 should be on the way, not only for Samsung but for other popular handsets as well. We also expect to see an Android 4.3 update on the HTC One soon, as the Taiwanese manufacturer has confirmed U.S. models will skip Android 4.2.2 in favor for the newer version by the end of September.

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