Samsung Galaxy Note 2 No Android 4.2.2 Update Unlike Galaxy S3! Update Skips to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Instead?
Samsung has been reported to skip on the official Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy Note 2 4G variant according to a network carrier. It is unclear why Samsung would consider on skipping an important update to their previous flagship phablet. Will the company proceed straight to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean?
Samsung Skips Android 4.2.2 Claims
Australian wireless network carrier Telstra confirmed that Samsung Galaxy Note 2 4G variant on their network is not going to receive any Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware update. This major news of skipping an official and latest update gave blow to owners and subscribers of the Galaxy Note 2 4G.
The previous flagship phablet of Samsung is included on the list provided by an insider from SamMobile which will be receiving Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean together with Galaxy S3. Samsung plans remains mysterious on why they would skip the update of Galaxy Note 2.
Is it Going to be Android 4.3?
Galaxy S3 seems to be 100 per cent sure to get Android 4.2.2 firmware due to a pre-release back in May 2013, Galaxy Note 8.0 Wi-Fi also received a pre-release version this month, July but there is no pre-release firmware for Galaxy Note 2.
One of the possible reasons is the upcoming official launch of Android 4.3 in August 2013 which would forfeit the Android 4.2.2 update. Samsung may be aiming Galaxy Note 2 to get Android 4.3 to keep Galaxy S3 with Android 4.2.2. However, Galaxy Note 3 has been rumoured to run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean which could conflict Galaxy Note 2 which already happened to Galaxy S4 & Galaxy S3.
Since there is no evidence yet what will happen to all other variants of Galaxy Note 2, owners should keep an eye on Samsung for any possible updates in August 2013. So far, Telstra is the only network carrier which confirmed the "no Android 4.2.2 update" for the phablet.
Rumour Milling Over Galaxy Note 2
Samsung's 2013 second quarter earnings forecast is still considered a main factor why Android 4.2.2 update remains delayed for several devices especially for the flagship ones. The company fell short on investors' expectations by more than six per cent and fears slow down of Galaxy S4 sales continuity.
One way to keep up on the sales figure is to boost previous flagship such Galaxy Note 2 and let customers choose between the latest and newest technology among their current and past devices even with the same Android version.
Top of the line Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 running latest Android OS will cannibalise Galaxy S4 and the only way to prevent this is using Android 5.0 Key Lime. Here are the speculated Android versions among Samsung's four flagship units:
1. Galaxy S4
o Android 4.2.2 out of the box
o Android 4.3 tested already and possibly official by August 2013
o Android 5.0 by October or November 2013
2. Galaxy Note 3
o Android 4.2.2 or Android 4.3 out of the box
o Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie by November or December 2013
3. Galaxy S3
o Android 4.0 out of the box
o Android 4.1.2 early 2013
o Android 4.2.2 expected by August 2013
o Android 4.3 September or October 2013
o Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie by late 2013 or early 2014
4. Galaxy Note 2
o Android 4.1.1 out of the box
o Android 4.1.2 early 2013
o Android 4.2.2 by September 2013 but rumoured to skip
o Android 4.3 in place of Android 4.2.2
o Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie by late 2013 or early 2014