14 DAY TRIAL // Over the weekend, wireless carrier T-Mobile has started to push out a new software update for the owners of original Galaxy SIII T999 smartphone on its network, providing them with the possibility to enjoy the benefits of the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system.
The new platform release was offered to Samsung Galaxy S III LTE (T999L) handsets on the carrier’s network starting with December last year, yet the original version of the phone was actually left out of it.
However, T-Mobile has updated its support page for the smartphone to inform users on the immediate availability of the software starting with March 15.
“Beginning March 15, the Samsung Galaxy S III (original) will have an optional software update to Android version 4.3 / Baseband version T999UVUENC2. This update includes KNOX and Samsung Gear support,” the mobile services provider notes.
The new platform version is available for users both over-the-air as well as through the Samsung Kies desktop application. The firmware will arrive on smartphones with build T999UVUENC2 attached to it, the company announced.
Owners of a Samsung Galaxy SIII T999 handset at T-Mobile can now manually download the software update over-the-air, through heading to Settings > About phone > Software updates > Check now.
Provided that the new software shows up as available, users should simply follow the on-screen prompts to update their devices. If it does not appear, they should try again later.
T-Mobile also notes that the new release will require firmware version T999UVUEMJC to be installed on the mobile phone and that it won’t be available for devices that have been rooted.
Before proceeding with the installation process, users should also make sure that the battery inside their devices has been charged at least at 50 percent.
Moreover, T-Mobile explains that users who plan on downloading and installing the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system on their Galaxy SIII T999 devices should make sure that they have the latest version of the Software Kies application installed on their PCs.
The new software update will be available for download as a 37MB file, T-Mobile’s support page also notes. As part of the new software release, users will enjoy enhancements such as Samsung KNOX, along with support for Samsung Gear devices, which should prove great additions to the phone.
However, as TmoNews notes, it’s rather frustrating that T-Mobile and Samsung needed three months to make the update available for this smartphone after the LTE flavor received it.