The Galaxy S4, Samsung’s current flagship smartphone, was released with Android 4.2.2 about six months ago and it has been receiving minor updates within the same OS version at intervals. Most users usually tend to ignore such updates but when it comes to an updates that has something to do with bumping the firmware version of our device, the sense of urgency to get the new update comes out of hibernation. Samsung has already made it clear that the Galaxy S4 will be getting Android 4.3 KitKat in future, but before that, as we expected, the Korean manufacturer has started rolling out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
To many users of Galaxy S4 LTE GT-I9505, the official 4.3 update might not sound new because we have already had two versions of the leaked test firmwares for the device in the past. Anyways, however good a leaked firmware might be, we naturally see its performance with doubts because of the “test” tag associated with it. The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S4 is definitely a major update most of us we had been eagerly been waiting for! Besides bumping the Android version of the device to 4.3, the latest update brings a lot of improvements in performance, bug-fixes and new features to the device.
Features and Changes:
Having updated your Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE GT-I9505 with the latest Android 4.3 XXUEMJ5 firmware, you will notice and enjoy the following things:
- New Reading Mode under Notification toggles. The feature optimizes the screen for reading text and web pages.
- Driving Mode now becomes Hands-free Mode
- Improvement in Camera performance and imaging
- TouchWiz launcher now has less lag and feels much faster
- Samsung Wallet
- New improved Keyboard
- Improvements in display color. The screen now looks more vivid and sharper.
- Samsung Browser is now fullscreen by default
- New firmware adds Galaxy Gear support
- OpenGL 3.0 Support
- Various UI optimizations and tweaks to improve performance
Download Firmware:
The first Android 4.3 firmware for Galaxy S4 LTE GT-I9505 is currently being served to the users of the device in Germany via OTA and Kies. You can check for the over-the-air update for your device by going to Settings> More> About Device> Software update> Update. It’ll be soon be hitting you country or region too. However, if you cannot wait to get the latest version of Android on your smartphone, you could just download it and flash away manually using Odin.
Since the available firmware is unbranded, it can be installed on any Galaxy S4 with model number GT-I9505 that is not locked to a network operator. The list of firmwares will be updated as they are available for more countries.
How to Install:
To install this firmware on your Galaxy S4, read our detailed tutorial that will guide you step by step: Click Here to Read
How to Root Galaxy S4 I9505 on Android 4.3:
To root your Samsung Galaxy S4, please use this tutorial.
Hi Rakesh will it work on uk phone or just gremany?
It will work on all GT-I9505 irrespective of region. Just make sure your device is not SIM locked.
Thank you my device is not sim locked, can you root 4.3?
Hi Tim, if you have root and a custom recovery on your phone, why not try the EchoROM:
https://mega.co.nz/#!a9REzDib!X_ipu09YcJJc_jfX1FVgBXdVLV0uT1DIbsE9dcSyAok
http://www.torrentbox.com/torrent_details?id=1908111
It is based on the official 4.3 stock TouchWiz ROM.
Hi Rakesh do I install EchoROM on to my device instead of 4.3?
Yes, the official ROM has Knox that makes rooting a little tougher. By installing this custom ROM, you will get all features of the official firmware and also preserve the root access. 🙂
Hi Rakesh i have 4.3 on my phone but when i connect it to my laptop it says connected as a camara how do i get it to connect as a media device again?
reboot the phone and pc and reinstall the drivers.
thank you.
I m currently on latest leaked 4.3 firmware…If I flash with this official one, will it erases my data again..
No, it will not but do a backup as precaution.
Because…When i installed 1st 4.3 leak, it wiped my data after flashing the new leak. thats why asked..Anyway thanks Rakesh.
All firmwares do not wipe. This is a no-wipe firmware.
Will the United Kingdom version work in Ireland? I am a bit of a newbeee
Yes, it will.