Update estimates for what are literally Samsung's biggest phones have emerged, tipping the Galaxy S3 to get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in several months, with the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note to follow in the winter.
While Samsung remains tight-lipped on the subject, SamMobile cites mysterious "insiders" who have spilled the beans regarding the latest version of Google's mobile operating system. The flagship of the Samsung fleet -- the Galaxy S3 -- is apparently nearly there, with software tests having been completed. The wait now is for the final version and approval from Google.
The Galaxy S2 is reportedly undergoing Jelly Bean testing, with Samsung apparently keen to get the latest software onto the former king of Android smart phones.
There are worrying whispers of a 'value pack' update for the Galaxy S2, which would bring some of the new features from Jelly Bean but not a full software upgrade, though so far it would seem there's no reason to think that'll happen. The Galaxy Note is apparently in the same situation, and is being tested at the moment.
According to the site, it's unclear whether the Galaxy Note 2, which Samsung recently confirmed will be shown off later this month, will land running Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean.
The rumour goes that the S3 will get Jelly Bean in late Q3 or early Q4, which means the end of September or the beginning of October. The S2 and Note are tentatively pegged for an update between October and December.
Samsung's muddled attempts at updating the Galaxy S2 to Android 4.0 proved to be a shambles and left phone owners fuming, so here's hoping the next round of major updates goes a little more smoothly.
Are you excited about Jelly Bean? Are you happy to wait on Samsung, or do updates need to arrive with a little more haste? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 24
Add your comment
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:07
I think updates should be rolled out to as many phones as possible straight away, why do some phones get it straight away and others have to wait? Give the phones companies the core software before the roll out date so they can do their extras before and have it ready to go. I get the best phone I can when I upgrade but then that gets superseded so then lags behind with updates...
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:13
Updates should be sent within weeks. I have a note and I paid mega.
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:32
Why should be have to wait? And why should a S2 user get the half-cocked version as opposed the SIII owner?
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:33
Sick o this Samsung attitude, sooner the iPhone 5 release the better
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:43
I don't understand why people are so obsessed with getting the updates as early as possible. You knew exactly what you were getting when you bought your phones. Irrespective of the version of Android running on these phones, they are still spectacular devices.
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:44
I hate to break it to you, anonymous, but the iPhone 5 won't be running Jelly Bean either. :-(
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:51
@anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:44 : awesome :)
I have an S3 and while it would be nice to have Jelly Bean on it, I'm not that fussed.
Samsung may want to speed things up though, as S3 sales will fall the minute more jelly bean devices are available (everyone it seems always wants the latest OS regardless of the phone quality)
anonymous 8 August, 2012 10:55
Got ICS on my S2 last month and it's stunning. Works like a drream, well done Samsung!!
anonymous 8 August, 2012 11:08
That's good news, but it seems that Sammy staff have forgotten where MOST of their success in sales started, with the first Galaxy S, which they refuse to update to ICS, even though it's been proven COUNTLESS times on various XDA forums that the I9000 Galaxy S can in fact easily cope with ICS. We should all start seeing Samsung products for what they really are... Great electronic components on the inside, but crap build quality on the outside, then they always manage to mess-up the Android experience by plastering their Touch-Whiz (iPhone-clone) launcher on all their devices. I have a Samsung I9000 Galaxy S, when my 24 month contract is finished, I'm NEVER getting another Samsung device again.
anonymous 8 August, 2012 11:09
As usual its gonna take ages . First Samsung will release and then the network operators will sit on it just to add bloat wares that no body uses . So I don’t expect soon
anonymous 8 August, 2012 11:15
as long as Sky go and BBC Iplayer have been upgraded to work on Jelly Bean first
Chhay Sothet 8 August, 2012 11:17
the update will release after my phone go to garbage already....!!!
anonymous 8 August, 2012 11:31
If you want prompt updates get a Nexus, it really is that simple.
About the Galaxy S, yes, the spec would run ICS, but not with Touchwizz. It lags and crashes enough with Gingerbread skinned with Touchwizz. You cannot appreciate how badly these skins effect the OS until you use an un skinned version of the OS. The drawback is you lose some usability features.
anonymous 8 August, 2012 11:48
After waiting almost a year for the ICS update for my Galaxy Tab 10.1 (and it still has not arrived), I don't have any more faith in Samsung's ability to deliver software updates. They even managed to delay the Jelly Bean update to my Galaxy Nexus - MY GALAXY NEXUS which was supposed to get the updates direct from Google. Great hardware - brilliant specs.... but ultimately useless software. Touchwhizz makes me want to go touchwhizz myself to death.
anonymous 8 August, 2012 12:33
I'm already running Jelly Bean on my Galaxy SII and it works flawlessly. I don't know what all the fuss is about.
pablouk1 8 August, 2012 13:42
Unless your on Tmobile then it will ready when the S4 is out
anonymous 8 August, 2012 14:16
iPhone 5 WILL BE RUNNING Jelly Bean. I have inside information from an apple in my lunchbox!
anonymous 8 August, 2012 17:06
The Galaxy note should get jelly bean full just like the s3 and nexus. The note has more than capable hardware. .and considering this we note users are expecting a lot of fixes with the 4.1 on the note especially when it comes to lag!!!! There better not be a dissapointment. . The galaxy note cost good money.
anonymous 10 August, 2012 10:18
this is supper.
bengoey 10 August, 2012 14:28
Am I right that Jelly Bean has no Flash and therefore we won't be able to watch video on some websites ?. If this is the case I will not update my Galaxy note.
anonymous 10 August, 2012 15:19
Nexus all the way for me next. I cant be waitin for samsung to update my phone anymore. I waited 7months for my galaxy note to get ics. And it didnt really look any different. But messed up the wifi and battery.
anonymous 11 August, 2012 09:56
Yeah, what its the whole Flash situation with ICS and Jelly Bean?
anonymous 16 October, 2012 11:45
pls let me know whether jellybean upgrade available in galaxy s2 in india plsss and full software veesion or half
anonymous 13 November, 2012 12:00
Please let me know, which one is better,,either Samsung Note 2 OR Samsung S3 ?? Am really confused. Some people say go for the Note 2 as it has more features than S3 AND SOME SAYS go for S3 as it is faster browsing than a samsung note 2 ? Please advise ?????