Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) SIM Free (UK): 4.1.2 upgrade to 4.3

[_BuZ_]

Hello all,

I am currently on 4.1.2, but I've heard about the initial release of 4.3. Although an issue existed in late November (with numerous bugs, problems and issues). Samsung had no choice, but to take the update down and offline. I'm reading it is back on-line, being rolled out to certain people. Although I cannot receive it yet. I am so confused?

I have heard about the 4.3 update coming to Samsung Galaxy S3 (being rolled out), although mine's SIM Free and should receive it before the branded versions.

Can anyone check my firmware and software versions and give me details (estimate of when the new 4.3 is available for my phone).

Screenshot of the 'About device' area on the settings of my Samsung Galaxy S3:

Screenshot of my screen when I check for software updates:

Thank you in advance,

BuZ!

 

[Rukbat]

If you have no SIM you're not connected to any carrier, so - since it's the carriers who send out the updates - you won't get any. From the fact that your phone did an update check (and from the signal bars), I'd assume that you're not "SIM-free", and actually do have a SIM in the phone and are connected to a craaier - so you will be receiving the update when your carrier decides to send it out.

The 4.3 update being rolled out now supposedly has all the bugs in the old one fixed. I guess we'll all know within a couple of months. (If you hear screaming coming from all points of the compass, they didn't fix all the bugs.)

 

[funkylogik]

sim free over here means unbranded, unlocked, not a carrier's phone (so you put in the sim of your choice) and updates come direct from samsung. I remember when jellybean rolled out, the carriers in UK pushed it before the samsung no-bloat version which was strange.
Op have you tried Kies on a pc?

 

[_BuZ_]

If you have no SIM you're not connected to any carrier, so - since it's the carriers who send out the updates - you won't get any. From the fact that your phone did an update check (and from the signal bars), I'd assume that you're not "SIM-free", and actually do have a SIM in the phone and are connected to a craaier - so you will be receiving the update when your carrier decides to send it out.

The 4.3 update being rolled out now supposedly has all the bugs in the old one fixed. I guess we'll all know within a couple of months. (If you hear screaming coming from all points of the compass, they didn't fix all the bugs.)

sim free over here means unbranded, unlocked, not a carrier's phone (so you put in the sim of your choice) and updates come direct from samsung. I remember when jellybean rolled out, the carriers in UK pushed it before the samsung no-bloat version which was strange.
Op have you tried Kies on a pc?

I'm living in the UK (Near Manchester/Northern England). The phone is SIM Free, I got a selection of SIM cards to choose from, e.g. out of the following: O2, T-Mobile & Orange (EE), Vodafone and lastly Three (3). I chose Orange because of the data plan and widespread network which will give me good value for my money.

I could use any Micro-SIM card in my phone, so yeah. I am confused. I haven't tried updating via KIES, I will try that. Although I have heard how risky and buggy it can be using KIES as your update method. I'd rather wait until Samsung can release the update via the phone, so I can officially update instead of using KIES as a mirror to grab the update (which is essentially using the same mirror as the phone updating system does).

Samsung sends the updates out I think, not the carriers.

 

[smythcolan]

I was one affected by the embarrassing S3 4.3 update, personally i would advise anybody NOT to update to 4.3 yet, I've read that its still buggy, looks like they may have rushed the fix as they refused to revert our phones back to 4.1.2 which would have given Samsung more time to get it right and have happy customers but instead they left us with unusable phones for over a month and copied and pasted a pathetic apology message on Facebook and in emails leaving customers fuming.
I ended up having to switch back to my trusty old HTC Desire HD and after waiting 3 weeks for Samsung to come out with a fix i sent my S3 back to Phones 4u who did an excellent quick job to revert it back to 4.1.2 and all is working again no thanks to Samsung.
I shall certainly be sitting tight and staying on 4.1.2 until it seems more stable but may not update anyway as i have an upgrade in August next year and wont be another Samsung.

 

[funkylogik]

Dont worry about kies. Its a terrible piece of software but theres no risk and its the official way to update.
I think youre confusing it with Odin which isnt supposed to be used by the consumer (its what samsung service centers etc use) and is safe if you follow instructions and flash the right thing but has the potential to kill your phone.
Kies is fine though, the worst it will do is not work :thumbup:

 

[BynoUK]

There seems to be no set rules now but I'll give you my 2 pence.....

An unbranded phone dosn't necessarily get an update before branded (used to be the case, not so recently)

Kies is the worst piece of software I've ever had the displeasure of using.

I flashed a recent build of 4.3 using Odin (was a leaked test Firmware mind) and it runs fine.


If you don't wish to use Odin etc, patience is the key.

 

[philayl]

sim free over here means unbranded, unlocked, not a carrier's phone (so you put in the sim of your choice) and updates come direct from samsung. I remember when jellybean rolled out, the carriers in UK pushed it before the samsung no-bloat version which was strange.
Op have you tried Kies on a pc?

Come on funky, that's a terrible thing to threaten someone with! Phil

 

[funkylogik]

Lmao i know i know, i must have had my evil head on