Samsung Galaxy S3 to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, skipping the 4.2.2 release

In July, a rumor appeared that Samsung Galaxy S3 was likely to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, skipping the 4.2.2 release. Now it seems official, as a member of Deutsche Telekom support team has posted a message on the official forum.

Apparently the same strategy will be followed for phablet Galaxy Note 2. As a result, Samsung could have chosen to abandon the preparation of 4.2.2 release, as it is already obsolete at the time of distribution. Samsung now is focusing to provide the latest offerings from the Google’s mobile platform. Recently released Android 4.3 Jelly Bean has introduced features that make it a significant step forward compared to what we saw in the previous version while not revolutionizing the interface.

Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 represent the two most important devices among those sold last year by the South Korean manufacturer. Users have repeatedly expressed their disappointment with delayed timings that often force them to wait months to receive official updates.

Google edition of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One have already started receiving Android 4.3 update in a timely manner because these two smartphones are designed to offer an experience very similar to Nexus lineup with stock version of Android and no custom interface. Thus, Samsung has early access to the Android 4.3 code, and we could see faster Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S3 and other devices, than expected.

Additionally, Samsung has a history of skipping Android’s major releases. Many of the mid-range devices of 2011 and early 2012 were directly upgraded from Android 2.3 Gingerbread to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean such as the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S Advance, skipping the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.