Samsung delivers official statement regarding Galaxy S3′s Android 4.3 update issues

[aka-neo]

Wow.....nice to know they acknowledged this and delayed it. But wait, we're having these same issues today! So....what happened??! This article was posted on 11-18-13.

http://www.sammobile.com/2013/11/18/samsung-delivers-official-statement-regarding-galaxy-s3s-android...

Two weeks ago, Samsung finally released the much awaited Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S III, but immediately after updating the device to Android 4.3 users started to complain about various bugs they were encountering. We ourselves tested the Android 4.3 update extensively and came to the conclusion that Samsung might have rushed with the new update just so that they could bring in GALAXY Gear’s support to the Galaxy S III. Samsung KNOX was also not implemented in the software update, even though Samsung promised that it will introduce KNOX with the Android 4.3 update.

Major issues in new Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S III:-
- Wake up lag (Sometimes it takes a few seconds to wake the device from standby and sometimes a few minutes)
- Random Freezing
- Huge battery drain
- Bluetooth Audio issues during playback in car
- Stuttering music playback with stock Samsung music app
- Device freezes as soon a call is received (Black screen issue)
- Poor RAM management (very difficult to multitask)
- Wi-Fi issues

After receiving so many complaints about the new Android 4.3 software update, we contacted Samsung Mobile UK for an official statement on the matter, check the statement below.

“As we are currently investigating the reported issues with Galaxy S3 4.3 Jelly Bean update, the upgrading service has been temporarily suspended. We are committed to providing customers with the best possible mobile experience, and will ensure to resume the upgrading service at the earliest possibility.” – Samsung Mobile UK

According to the statement, Samsung has temporarily suspended the upgrade service and the Android 4.3 update (I9300XXUGMG9) has been pulled from FOTA and Samsung KIES. So you won’t be able to update your Galaxy S3 to Android 4.3 at the moment.

Galaxy S3 users were waiting for this update for a long time now as the device was still running a year old version of Android (4.1.2), Samsung never updated the device to Android 4.2. We think Samsung should have taken some more time and iron out all the bugs before actually rolling out the firmware upgrade as it has made a lot of its customers very unhappy. We will let you folks know as soon as Samsung resumes the upgrade service again.

[Ann154]

Why didn't you add this to your original post as a reply?

Also please don't repost this in multiple discussions. It's only going to be removed from them since they are duplicates which is a ToS issue here.

[bearone21]

i haven't encountered any of the issues you mentioned & my battery life is better.

[STUDIORAT67]

i guess those that have not seen any of these issues must have their phones off and sitting on a table, My battery gets 5 hours max with very light usage...after this update.....I am saying goodbye to Verizon in a few months when my plan expires...i am tired of sub par devices ...terrible updates and Crap Customer services...I am on my 3rd device since Decembers update....

[brewer_rob]

I have experienced the wake up lag (missed calls because of it.) and huge battery drain. Also experienced some Wi-Fi issues, at least at home. Does not appear to be an issue other places, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Rob

[brewer_rob]

Yes, having Wi-Fi issues elsewhere as well. "Your Internet connection is unstable" appears with no additional information. Crappy.

[Ann154]

brewer_rob wrote:

Yes, having Wi-Fi issues elsewhere as well. "Your Internet connection is unstable" appears with no additional information. Crappy.

Have you tried turning off the Auto-switch in the Advanced option under the wifi settings?

[brewer_rob]

Yes, it is already unchecked. Saw that in another forum. Hasn't made any difference.

Rob

[jadefu]

My battery drain seems better after a factory reset (which took the whole weekend to backup, reset, and restore my pictures and contacts, ugg), but still not where it was before 4.3. But I'm also getting the wifi issue after the reset.

In the same room as my hubby, who has the same s3 but still on v4.2.2, his connection is fine and mine gives the error and drops. My wifi Tab2 also connects just fine. This tells me it's something with this update, not our wifi or router. I had no problem connecting to wifi before: never even saw that error message before!

I'm extremely concerned about this issue! VZW wants to charge for data and not allow unlimited data anymore, yet you screw up wifi connectivity with a software upgrade that then forces me to use 4g if I want Internet? Come on, that's super crappy, and a major technical issue to me. And borderline unfair business practice because you're trying to suck more money out of customers you charge for bandwidth, but then you cripple the phone? Come on.

Maybe if VZW didn't add all that bloatware on top of Samsung's update, it wouldn't have broken things.

[vzw_customer_support]

I'm sorry about your device issues brewer_rob. I know this is upsetting but we can  help. Have you tried removing the wifi connecting completely and setting it back up from the beginning? You can also reset your phone completely. Here are the steps http://vz.to/1bzjYDR. Keep us posted.

KinquanaH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

[jadefu]

After doing a factory reset of my phone, my battery life looked better briefly, but is back to being awful.

For example, this morning I took my phone off the charger and came to work. I haven't touched it at all. I just woke it up and checked the battery life chart, and took this screenshot. After 2 hours of not being touched, the battery is down almost 50%? Obviously something is wrong:

I'm paying to have a working phone! This is super frustrating! I didn't have ANY problems like this before the 4.3 update!

[Ann154]

Why is the Google Search and Android OS so high?

[jadefu]

I have no idea! The phone should have been idle and nothing should have been running!

[Ann154]

jadefu wrote:

I have no idea! The phone should have been idle and nothing should have been running!

Did you select each item to see exactly what it was doing? Screen on time, keep awake time, data transfer?

[vzw_customer_support]

I'm sorry you're having issues with battery life jadefu. How long have you had issues with the battery? Did is start after an app was downloaded. I recommend safe mode to check the apps on your phone. Some of the apps may not be compatible with your new software or may be draining the battery. Here are the steps http://vz.to/JC70PC. I would also like to provide you with some battery saving tips http://bit.ly/1iGc982 . Please keep us posted.

KinquanaH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

[jadefu]

I've only had issues with the battery SINCE the update to 4.3. I did a full factory reset, TWICE. This happens before I even reinstall any of my settings or apps on my phone. The wifi connectivity problem also still happens.

Battery saving tips won't help. Fixing the 4.3 update vzw sent that screwed up my phone will help.

And I can't upgrade my phone, because I'll be forced to change my plan. This is making me hate vzw. I'm about ready to file a complaint with the state utilities commission.

[Linz1980]

I am just going to reply to what appears to be a customer service person since the Verizon website has had massive changes since I was last on there.  I can't even find where to email customer service.  I did the 4.3 update yesterday.  I wish I could undo it since overall it is horrible.  My main issue is that I have a notification "sd card is damaged, try reformatting it."  Then I get the scary message "format SD card?  all data on your card will be lost."  So I go to my picture gallery and several hundred of my pictures are gone, seems to be my older ones.  What do I do?  Can I go into a Verizon store and get help with this?  I don't know much about this stuff; I have never had this kind of issue before. 

[tikibar1]

Verizon did away with the option to e-mail Customer Service early last year; current options include phone, chat, or social media such as Facebook or Twitter.

Regarding your SD card issue, see if this helps:

[Linz1980]

Thank you!  I will try this out later after work.  The chat feature on Verizon wasn't even working last night. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Linz1980- Thank you for reaching out ot us. We are aware of the device issues after the software update. We apologize about any information that has been lost. I know how it feels to have pictures deleted from my device, so I understand how annoying that can be. I do not recommend going to a store because this will not resolve the issue. Did you have your pictures backed up to a computer or backup assistant plus? Also, open the gallery and tap the menu key and see if the pictures were possible moved to a different folder. Again we apologize for any inconvenience.

sheritah_vzw
Follow us on Twitter
@VZWSupport

[ge3kspd]

It seems to me that a lot of folks are having these issues with the S3 after the 4.3 update. I'm having major problems with my work phone as well. Is there any solutions in the near future offered by Verizon/samsung?

Thanks,