Sprint begins Jelly Bean rollout to the Samsung Galaxy S3

By Sean Brunett  | Oct 25 2012 | 11:48 am  | 49 Comments

Sprint Galaxy S3

Sprint has begun rolling out the Android 4.1(Jelly Bean) update to their version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 (see our review). An Android Central Forums member shared an update announcement yesterday claiming it would start today, but now we have confirmation. This makes Sprint the first US carrier to rollout Jelly Bean to the Galaxy S3 and good on them for that.

Here are the benefits of the upgrade:

  • Google Now
  • Expandable notifications
  • Android Beam
  • Smarter widgets
  • Camera enhancements
  • Blocking Mode
  • AllShare Cast Wireless Hub compatibility
  • NFC One-Touch Pairing Support

The update will come over-the-air and will be rolled out gradually, so if you don't have it yet, sit tight.

If you're a Sprint customer with a Galaxy S3, we'd love to hear from you if you've received the update and have thoughts about it. Visit our Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 Forum to talk about it. Full press release after the break,

 

Sprint First U.S. Wireless Carrier to offer Jelly Bean to Samsung Galaxy S III Customers,

Rollout Starts Today

Today, Sprint became the first U.S. wireless carrier to offer the Android™ 4.1.1, Jelly Bean, update to its Samsung Galaxy S® III customers. The update began rolling out today and adds a host of new and enhanced TouchWiz® features, offering a faster, richer and more responsive device experience.

The update is available as an over the air update. When your Galaxy S III is eligible for the update, it will automatically download. Once the download is complete, you will be prompted to install the update. Installation will take a few minutes, and your device will be disabled during the installation process. It will be ready to use when the process is complete.

Jelly Bean offers users a smoother, faster and more fluid experience with expanded feature functionality, including:

  • Google Now™ gets you just the right information at just the right time, like how much traffic to expect before you leave for work or when the next train will arrive as you’re standing on the platform. Google Now can be launched by pressing and holding the menu key from the home screen.
  • Expandable, actionable notifications allowing you to take action directly from the notifications shade.
  • Android Beam™ now lets you send photos and more.
  • Widgets work like magic as you place widgets on the screen, everything else automatically moves to make room; when they're too big, widgets resize on their own.

Samsung also added new capabilities to Galaxy S III, including:

  • Camera Enhancements:
  • New live camera and camcorder filters offer a range of new ways to spark your creativity. Warm vintage, cold vintage, black and white, sepia, color highlights (blue, green, red/yellow), and many more are selectable from the main camera screen.
  • Pause and resume while recording video allows users to string together multiple captured video clips from a party, birthday, or sporting event into a single file with no post editing required.
  • Low light photo mode takes advantage of Galaxy S III’s best-in-class High Dynamic Range (HDR) capabilities and offers an optimized mode for low light and indoor photos.

 

  • Pop Up Play Update easily resizes or pauses the Pop Up Play picture-in-picture video window, taking full advantage of Galaxy S III’s powerful processor and large 4.8-inch display.
  • Easy Mode is a simplified user experience option for first-time smartphone owners, providing large home screen widgets that focus on the device essentials.
  • Blocking Mode can disable incoming calls, notifications, alarms and LED indicators for a designated period of time.
  • Improved Usability with access to multiple keyboard options and the addition of the Swype® keyboard.

With the Jelly Bean update, Galaxy S III will also add support for some exciting new accessories.

  • AllShare® Cast Wireless Hub allows users to wirelessly mirror their phone screen to any HDTV or HDMI® display. It even supports licensed content playback of premium TV and movies.
  • NFC One Touch Pairing Support pairs Galaxy S III with supporting NFC Bluetooth® accessories in a single touch.
     

Sean Brunett Contributing Writer

529(articles)

82(forum posts)
 

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There are 49 comments. Add yours.

SHO_ONE says:

Well... I'm a bit surprised that Sprint is getting the update first, but at least its rolling out. Now, tell me AT&T and the rest of us are getting this today as well!!!! TELL ME!!!!!

dom818 says:

Please come to me today! PLEASE!!!!!!

DNASTY6997 says:

T-MOBILE had more leaks than anyone and Sprint beat them to the release, smdh...

demos16 says:

Can't wait for Verizon to be the last one to update their phones.....

nickacs says:

LOL exactly.. More like a year from now when it's the 5.1 Dingleberry release. HAHAHA F Verizon.. bunch of tards!

MERCDROID says:

Lmfao at Dingleberry

MERCDROID says:

That's the caveat of having the best network lol. But, seriously, from what I've seen, it's nothing groundbreaking. And if you use a lot of apps like I do, you may want it to come later rather than sooner, so that the devs of your favorite apps have time to make them compatible with Jellybean. Still, it's nice that some of the S3's are starting to get it.

kullkid92x says:

Hey Sean, any word out of these sources that indicate the Evo LTE jellybean update might be coming soon??

Jayshmay says:

Verrry impressive Sprint!!!

legion125 says:

I wonder if this will be the last update for the GSlll? It would be cool if it got Jelly Bean 4.2.

kellin says:

It's actually 4.1.2, and knowing Samsung and Sprint, it won't be here until next year.

xKrNMBoYx says:

Let's go T-Mobile. You're ranked 4 so get your act together and release it so all the S3's get the update before Sprint enables all updates.

emceesquared says:

hopefully the EVO 4G LTE isn't too far behind.

ArtVandelay says:

Of course we get the update the day I'm getting my note 2.

Braun00 says:

here is the sprint page about the update
http://community.sprint.com/baw/message/491803

Marcman111 says:

This sprint page is something someone created it is ***COMPLETELY FALSE***
here is the conversation I had with a sprint agent regarding this page

"Jim C.: We have not received any official update regarding jeally bean for S3 so whenever Sprint will announce this you will see all the details on www.sprint.com/newsroom
You: ok where did this come from how is it on the site
Jim C.: Some one has posted it on Sprint community but it's not true.
Jim C.: This information is not from Sprint.
You: ok thanks for confirming
You: this is all i needed
Jim C.: My pleasure."

As you can see The update for sprint has not been released yet and they have not specified when they will release it.

Foxpaw says:

Except that it's not false, and the guy that made that post is an admin and has made similar posts for other devices.

Marcman111 says:

I am not trying to downplay good news only to get confirmation. I truly hope yhis is true but some how NO ONE at sprint is confirming this even after showing them the link posted. I guess only time will tell.

barakis says:

Marcman,

Here is another confirmation from Sprint Offical News Blog:
http://community.sprint.com/baw/community/sprintblogs/announcements/blog...

Marcman111 says:

Thanks alot thats what I needed.

barakis says:

Marcman,

http://community.sprint.com/baw/community/buzzaboutwireless/phones-and-d...

Please tell me this is not an offical document telling us that update is coming out today?

Matthew

Marcman111 says:

I SEE THE LIGHT lol Thanks Barakis. CSR's are full of S***. Much appreciated.

sunlifexxx says:

Verizon, please take your time and tested out thoroughly before you release it. Oh you do that anyways. Never mind since I upgraded from the bionic it was stuck on gingerbread I been loving ice cream sandwich. I usually get very excited about upgrades. I guess since I've only done ice cream for a few months, I'm happy that everyone is getting get it before Verizon. Let them deal with the bugs. Talking to you Europe.

hsiller says:

Not yet available in SATX

Bigoddo says:

Sprint seems to be really on top of the update cycles lately. I remember when i had my original galaxy tab (7 inch) on sprint and i received the update to gingerbread (late) before any other U.S. carrier and was able to access Netflix because of it. Lets all cheers to this wonderful carrier for caring! *hip hip hooray*

Marcman111 says:

Has this been really confirmed? this is the conversation I just had with a sprint agent about jellybean 4.1
"Sprint: Hi, we can assist you with your search. Chat now with a Sprint Care Specialist.
Sprint: Type your question below to get started.
You: is it true that the samsung gs3 will be getting jelly bean 4.1 starting today and it will be rolled out in phases
Sprint: All agents are currently busy, please hold for the next available specialist.
Virginia K.: Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Note II rolled out with the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
You: im talking about for the galaxy s3
You: is it true that the samsung gs3 will be getting jelly bean 4.1 starting today and it will be rolled out in phases? Im not talking about the galaxy note II
Virginia K.: I am sorry for the confusion.
Virginia K.: I am checking the information for you.
Virginia K.: Please allow me a few moments.
You: ok
Virginia K.: Thank you for waiting.
Virginia K.: I've checked the details & found that as of now the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update doesn't available for the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Virginia K.: The Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) updates available only for the Samsung Nexus 4G and Galaxy Nexus.
You: any idea when it will be released
Virginia K.: I am sorry as of now we do not have any exact time frame. However it'll be available soon.
You: lol ok i get it you cant say much thanks"

piizzadude says:

CSRs do not know crap. About 3 or 4 days after the ICS rollout for the Rezound they still had no information about a release date. Take all that they say with a ...actually don't take it at all.

Badmanc says:

not sure if retarded or illiterate.. JB is official, It has been released and is coming out via OTA update. Sprint announced it on there official thread for the SG3

Marcman111 says:

This sprint page is something someone created it is ***COMPLETELY FALSE***
here is the conversation I had with a sprint agent regarding this page

"Jim C.: We have not received any official update regarding jeally bean for S3 so whenever Sprint will announce this you will see all the details on www.sprint.com/newsroom
You: ok where did this come from how is it on the site
Jim C.: Some one has posted it on Sprint community but it's not true.
Jim C.: This information is not from Sprint.
You: ok thanks for confirming
You: this is all i needed
Jim C.: My pleasure."

As you can see The update for sprint has not been released yet and they have not specified when they will release it.

Marcman111 says:

I posted the link to the site listed above as proof and the agent said the above text. We will not be seeing jellybean as expected. At least not yet. This is a rumor and a false claim. As proof you will know when you DONT GET THE OTA UPDATE.

Foxpaw says:

Except that it's not false, and the guy that made that post is an admin and has made similar posts for other devices.

As proof you will know when you DO get the OTA update ;)

Marcman111 says:

Lol Foxpaw I love how optimistic you are. I would love to get the update. Only time will tell.

Foxpaw says:

:D

I'm putting my money on the forum admin over the live chat CSR, but you're right time will tell.

Marcman111 says:

Yea I agree CRS's are kinda worthless for finding out info, but I have to admit I had my doubts when I gave him the link and he downplayed it stating that someone created it and posted it and that it was not a part of sprint. Idk Someone is not being truthful. I just really want the update and not to be lied to or deceived. Their has been similar leaks or rumors in the past about this and as we both know they were false because we would have already had the update.

treyrey86 says:

I received the official OTA update today!!!! Woot Woot!

skiskilo says:

Can you post the .zip in the forums?

mdmitchell13 says:

Post the zip!

DuStU says:

Has anyone gotten the update today?

Jonouchy says:

The update is official! I can guarantee it. I work for Sprint... at work now actually. E-mail sitting right in front of me. It will roll out in small waves starting today October 25th through November 16th.

Adam G says:

That's a hell of a long rollout. Do you have to know somebody at Google to tell when the update will hit your individual phone?

Hammer9274 says:

Jonouchy, any word on the Evo LTE update??

hmmm says:

Well, HTC just lost a little of its luster for me. I'm thinking I should have waited on buying the new EVO...

Jonouchy says:

The update is controlled and pushed via Google's servers.

jerrelltaylor85 says:

I don't even have the GS3 but this makes me excited.

Does anybody know if you can force the update same way we did with the G-Nex?

pint3rd says:

I hope this not true...the EVO4g LTE came out several months before them s3 and still hasn't been updated! Sprint and HTC should be ashamed I should've gotten the nexus or s3! I'm thinking about getting a s3 anyway on another network. I guess that's how sprint suckers you in to a two year agreement with whats supposed to be a flagship phone along with its spotty service. Highly pissed!

mdmitchell13 says:

POST THE ZIP POST THE ZIP

storino03 says:

I was wondering why the pop-up play video window couldn't be resized. glad that feature is being updated in the JB update!

ChrisXe says:

Hopefully this lights a fire under AT&T, and Verizon's butt to roll out Jelly Bean. I was going to get a Note II, but if I can get 4.1 in a timely manner I'll wait.

ChrisXe says:

Hopefully this lights a fire under AT&T, and Verizon's butt to roll out Jelly Bean. I was going to get a Note II, but if I can get 4.1 in a timely manner I'll wait.