As promised, Samsung has just started rolling out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the Exynos 5 octa-core variant of Galaxy S4 bearing model number GT-I9500, which is currently running on Android 4.2.2.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Samsung has released official Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S4 I9500. Reuters

The Android 4.3 update integrates several improvements and optimisations for the fourth generation Galaxy S smartphone, according to Sammobile. The device is said to have become faster than before. Additionally, after the Android 4.3 update the benchmark scores have increased significantly. The device scored an impressive point around 29-30K in the AnTuTu benchmark test against the 25-26K score with Android 4.2.2.

Android 4.3 features

TRIM Support (Makes the device faster)

ANT + Support

Samsung Knox implementation (Knox bootloader and dedicated application)

Samsung Wallet pre-loaded

Improved RAM management

Improved display colour reproduction (Display looks much sharper than before)

Improved TouchWiz launcher (Much less launcher redraws and less lag)

New Samsung Keyboard

New Samsung Browser (Full screen default, new tab interface and more)

New Reading Mode (Optimise display for reading, used by only a few specific applications)

New Camera firmware

Minor UI tweaks (Contact apps, Flashlight Widget, dialogue boxes)

The software update is currently available in Russia, notes XDA. As the update is being released in phases, it might not be available in other countries at the moment. The update will take some time to make its way to the carrier-branded devices as it has to get improved by the carrier first, after which Samsung will make it available for the device.

Firmware details

Model: GT-I9500

Country: Russia

Version: Android 4.3

Changelist: 1875800

Build date: 14 October

Product code: SER

PDA: I9500XXUEMJ5

CSC: I9500SEREMJ5

MODEM: I9500XXUEMJ5

The official update is now available through Samsung Kies and as Over-The-Air (OTA) update. To download and install the firmware via OTA, head over to Settings>> More>> About Device>> Software update>> Update.

Click here for our step-by-step guide to update Galaxy S4 I9500 with XXUEMJ5 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean official firmware.

Samsung Russia Android