Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 To Update To Android 4.3? Rumors Suggest Devices Will Skip Android 4.2.2 For Newer OS Rolling Out In November

As Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 owners wait not-so-patiently for their Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update, rumors now propose that Samsung may skip that version of the operating system altogether and update the older devices directly to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Tipsters from India's Samsung R&D told tech website Temefy that Samsung is currently working on both Android 4.2.2 and Android 4.3 updates for the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3. The next update appears to be delayed, as it was expected to roll out to devices in July but reportedly won’t be released on the Note 2 and S3 until November or December.

According to Samsung R&D, the Korean manufacturer is now deciding whether it will update its older Galaxy devices to Android 4.2.2 or Android 4.3. With Android 4.3 expected to be released in the near future -- some have proposed July -- many consider it would make sense for Samsung to skip the Android 4.2.2 update as Android 4.3 would possibly be several months old by the time the next update is expected for the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 at year’s end. However, an Android 4.2.2 update is still likely for the devices.

Temefy points out the fact that there have been firmware leaks for both Android 4.2.2 and Android 4.3 indicates that Samsung could still go in either direction when it comes to system updates. Android 4.2.2 firmware leaked for the Galaxy S3 in May, suggesting that the device would adopt several Samsung Galaxy S4 features, while Android 4.3 firmware for the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition promptly leaked in June.

Some note that there has been no Android 4.2.2 firmware leak for the Galaxy Note 2. Since firmware was recently leaked for the Galaxy Note 8.0, we wonder if that could indicate that Samsung is leaning toward an Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy Note 2. While all reports remain unconfirmed speculation, some also consider that Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 owners would likely be more inclined to wait until November or December for an update if it were the most currents Android 4.3 software.

The Galaxy Note 2 is currently running either Android 4.1.1 or 4.1.2, likely depending on when it was sold, while the Galaxy S3 originally shipped with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and is upgradable to Android 4.1.1. If the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 updated to Android 4.3, it wouldn’t be the first time a Samsung device skipped operating systems. The original Galaxy Note first shipped with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread and didn’t update until Android 4.1.2, skipping the entire Ice Cream Sandwich line as well as a version of Jelly Bean.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is expected to feature Bluetooth LE, always-on Wi-Fi connectivity and a new notifications bar, likely among many other updated specs; however leaks suggest that the update is a minor one.

Samsung S&D also reports that the Android K release build also known as Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie will release in October and that Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 as well as the yet-to-be-released Note 3 and the Note 2 will all update to the still rumored operating system in varying intervals. Reports of the system died down in May in favor of Android 4.3 but recently have begun to pick up momentum.

Do you want to see the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 update to Android 4.2.2 or Android 4.3? Let us know in the comments below.

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