Just the other day I closed this article by saying that we should start seeing leaked firmwares of the devices Samsung plans to update in October and November soon. Barely a few days later we have the first culprit: the Galaxy S4. A leaked Android 4.3 test firmware for the Snapdragon 600 variant of the device (model number GT-I9505) is already available for download and installation.
The folks at SamMobile who leaked this firmware thanks to some Samsung insiders who are as excited as we are about the update say that it is mainly an under the hood upgrade and there aren’t many visible cosmetic changes. The most notable features in the update are (in addition to all Android 4.3 features as released by Google) Samsung Knox and Samsung Wallet apps. Knox is said to be working flawlessly and as I had noted earlier, it is obvious the recent update that most Galaxy S4 owners were getting over the last month was geared at preparing their devices for this. Samsung Wallet is however said not to be working since one needs access to Samsung servers and this being test firmware that is not possible.
The leaked firmware is said to be very stable so if you know your way around Samsung firmware flashing using Odin then get flashing (see source link below). Remember this is only for the GT-I9505 model of the Galaxy S4 so if you have the GT-I9500 like some of us stay put, our day will come. SamMobile has also put together a short video outlining the new features found in the Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S4 so watch below to see what is coming to your device soon.
For Kenyans most likely the variant you have is the I9505 (check Settings > More > About device to confirm) so you can go ahead an update your device. If you are interested and don’t know how then hit the comments below, I can be of help. Just remember, if you have the GT-I9500, keep off. This is test firmware so as usual the best advice is to wait for the official release. It is not yet far.
Source: Sammobile
Point of correction: Kenyans have the I9500 variant, the Exynos Octa core version.
The I9505 is the Qualcomm version for regions with LTE.
I knew this would pop up somewhere. No, really, Kenyans (most of them) have the I9505x. I’ve added the “x” next to the model number because the variant that went on sale in Kenya and has been widely available is the I9505(add some letter here) Snapdragon 800 version. I know the I9505 is for regions with LTE because the Snapdragon chip combines all that but remember Samsung was not mass producing the Exynos 5410 Octa-core chip found on the GT-I9500. For example myself, almost everyone I’ve met who has the Galaxy S4 does not have the I9500 model. Walk into most stores and phone dealers near you and you’ll be surprised to find the I9505x on sale and not the I9500. The I9500 was meant for markets like ours and is available but not all the time. It is limited. You can confirm this.
http://youtu.be/s53fZdlXw38
SMH
I actually have the I9500, although i pre-ordered mine from Airtel kenya
Android 4.3 for the I9500 is now available. I’m using it at the moment https://techweez.com/2013/10/18/samsung-now-rolling-android-4-3-galaxy-s4-gt-i9500/
hi, which is the best 4.4.2 kitkat firmware for our(Kenya) region?
i recently manually upgraded my firmware on my I9500 and for some reason my phone cant register my line(safaricom) to any network, even though i get all the ISP listed when i search for network on mobile settings. what could be the problem?
Check your IMEI number. Share with me its first 5 numbers. That should tell me something. Either you need to alter your baseband, edit CSC or the manual upgrade tampered with the EFS partition (unlikely for stock firmware). What firmware did you download (specific firmware base number)? I recommend Indian and Open Austria firmwares. In case those are not available then download firmware for Poland, Germany or Trinidad and Tobago.
my first 5 IMEI: 35684…the firmware is for TTT (Trinidad and Tobago)
baseband version I9500UBUFNB3
Your phone is fine then. It has nothing to do with a corrupt EFS partition. The baseband is also ok (I have used TTT on both the S4 and Note 3). I doubt it has anything to do with the CSC. Do this: enter stock recovery and clear cache then reboot. If problem persists then flash firmware from another region.
i kinder lost my root access after the firmware update…what root files and procedure would you recommend? i tried one…wasn’t successful gave me a soft brick.
Root using ChainFire’s tool. Get it here http://download.chainfire.eu/326/CF-Root1/CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.zip?retrieve_file=1 It comes complete with Odin so just load cf-autoroot to PDA and get flashing.
Many thanks bro, will give it a shot.
[…] like is the case with Android 4.3 for the GT-I9505, the update for the I9500 includes several new features and improvements; some from Samsung and the […]
Galaxy s4 i9500 battery back door replacement made by leather injection, makes the s4 back door part durable and new looking, such as glitter red, green, blue color or pink…about 10 colors,
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