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When will S3 owners get the S4 update? (stay with 02?)

  • 25-04-2013 12:42PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭


    Hi,

    I am currently in the process of changing networks from o2 to 48, but it just occured to me that there will probably an 'S4' update shortly with whatever new software features from the S4 that can work on the S3.

    How long does it normally take for this update to come down to S3 owners from o2?
    will and how do 48 send out this update?
    Would i be better staying with o2 until i get this update then move to 48?

    thanks.

    btw i have not rooted my s3


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,151 ✭✭✭ciano1


    48.. DON'T DO IT!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    ciano1 wrote: »
    48.. DON'T DO IT!!

    This!

    OP why you picking 48?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    You'll be able to update with Kies or Odin anyways even if its not provided OTA(Over the air).

    And yeah, move to three so you can use data.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭waynegalway


    danniemcq wrote: »
    This!

    OP why you picking 48?


    I did a bit of research this time last year when I was coming to the end of a VF contract, to shop around for a new provider. I looked into 48 and in my case I didn't go with them because of the data speeds.

    They tell you it's the O2 network, but I experimented a bit with sim cards in a certain area, and I can tell you for a fact that the 48 sim was getting about 50% of the data speed that the O2 card was getting. So I reckon its riding on the back of the O2 signal, but it's definitely a second-class connection.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    I did a bit of research this time last year when I was coming to the end of a VF contract, to shop around for a new provider. I looked into 48 and in my case I didn't go with them because of the data speeds.

    They tell you it's the O2 network, but I experimented a bit with sim cards in a certain area, and I can tell you for a fact that the 48 sim was getting about 50% of the data speed that the O2 card was getting. So I reckon its riding on the back of the O2 signal, but it's definitely a second-class connection.

    MVNO users are hard limited to a max of ~2Mbps. Theres a name for they system, like grapevine or something, cant remember right now.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭sandt


    ciano1 wrote: »
    48.. DON'T DO IT!!
    danniemcq wrote: »
    This!

    OP why you picking 48?

    What is so bad about them?
    I am a very light user, have wifi at work and home and dont have a far commute to work, so i was just going to use their €10/month which gets you 100 any network minutes, unlimited any network texts, 20mins landline and 1gb data.
    are there better alternatives out there?
    ED E wrote: »
    MVNO users are hard limited to a max of ~2Mbps. Theres a name for they system, like grapevine or something, cant remember right now.

    what are MVNO users? 2mbps dosent sound too bad.......good enough for watching youtube clips???


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Well for one, they were down for 6 or 8 hours the other night. Whole network, them and Tesco Mobile.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

    Basically 48, tesco, Lycra, Blueface etc etc.

    They get up to 2Mbps, usually like .5Mbps from user reports. Hard to load webpages with that never mind stream youtbe. O2 naturally heavily prioritize their users traffic over the MVNOs they host.


    If you want to pretty much give up on data its an OK deal, but tbh 3's 20E top up, free texts, 15GB(fast, I get up to 10Mb) and then you have 20E to spend on calls(and weekend calls are free too) deal is way better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭waynegalway


    ED E wrote: »
    Well for one, they were down for 6 or 8 hours the other night. Whole network, them and Tesco Mobile.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

    Basically 48, tesco, Lycra, Blueface etc etc.

    They get up to 2Mbps, usually like .5Mbps from user reports. Hard to load webpages with that never mind stream youtbe. O2 naturally heavily prioritize their users traffic over the MVNOs they host.


    If you want to pretty much give up on data its an OK deal, but tbh 3's 20E top up, free texts, 15GB(fast, I get up to 10Mb) and then you have 20E to spend on calls(and weekend calls are free too) deal is way better.

    Like I said, the deal breaker for me was the poor data. If you're only interested in calls and texts, then fine. I was just making the point, OP, that the data speed is woeful with 48


  • Posts: 18,160 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I just did a speed test on my Tesco phone, 1.46Mb/s down, 0.80Mb/s up. So that's probably what to expect on 48 too.

    I'm not a heavy 3G data user so it doesn't bother me too much.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭sandt


    Hmmmm........thanks for the replies guys.
    I guess I could try out 48 for a month to see what it's like......as far as I can see there is no contract or minimum term, or am I missing something?

    If it doesn't work out I could try 3 or tesco, I've been with O2 for so long but they are just not offering any value against what the others have to offer.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,015 ✭✭✭✭Mimikyu


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,711 ✭✭✭touts


    sandt wrote: »
    Hi,

    I am currently in the process of changing networks from o2 to 48, but it just occured to me that there will probably an 'S4' update shortly with whatever new software features from the S4 that can work on the S3.

    How long does it normally take for this update to come down to S3 owners from o2?
    will and how do 48 send out this update?
    Would i be better staying with o2 until i get this update then move to 48?

    thanks.

    btw i have not rooted my s3

    The Jelly Bean upgrade took so long to roll out I'd say you are talking weeks if not months. Also Samsung will want the S4 to have as much advantage over the S3 for as long as possible so I'd say they won't be in too much of a hurry to roll out the software.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭sandt


    ED E wrote: »
    You'll be able to update with Kies or Odin anyways even if its not provided OTA(Over the air).

    And yeah, move to three so you can use data.

    I forgot the main reason for this thread! kinda got sidetracked with network talk.
    So I will be able to get the latest version through this anyways even if 48/tesco etc may not have it OTA?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭waynegalway


    sandt wrote: »
    I forgot the main reason for this thread! kinda got sidetracked with network talk.
    So I will be able to get the latest version through this anyways even if 48/tesco etc may not have it OTA?

    If the S3 is network unlocked, then the updates come through Kies or OTA directly from Samsung, which is still usually a few months behind Nexus updates but a couple of months ahead of updates from the networks.

    If the handset is locked to a network, you can still flash the latest official Samsung firmware updates to it through Odin.

    So, either way, you will be able to get the updates. If you use the Odin method you can get them much faster than waiting for the network to send out the update.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    If the S3 is network unlocked, then the updates come through Kies or OTA directly from Samsung, which is still usually a few months behind Nexus updates but a couple of months ahead of updates from the networks.

    If the handset is locked to a network, you can still flash the latest official Samsung firmware updates to it through Odin.

    So, either way, you will be able to get the updates. If you use the Odin method you can get them much faster than waiting for the network to send out the update.

    Note, this is for factory unlocked, if you got it unlocked after buying it from a carrier locked, then it'll still be branded so you'd have to flash generic first to start getting unbranded updates(that come out earlier).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭sandt


    ED E wrote: »
    Note, this is for factory unlocked, if you got it unlocked after buying it from a carrier locked, then it'll still be branded so you'd have to flash generic first to start getting unbranded updates(that come out earlier).

    Yeah mine phone is like this this, I just got it unlocked from O2 , but it still shows the O2 logo when booting. I'm not sure what you mean by flash generic? Is there a YouTube video to explain the process??

    Also can I get rid of those shi**y O2 apps now that I'm not with anymore?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,015 ✭✭✭✭Mimikyu


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭waynegalway


    You can flash a generic firmware, this is the firmware with no bloatware (apps that have been installed, usually by your carrier, that are not removable without root) which would have been installed on the phone if you bought it SIM free. Generic firmware gets updates as soon as Samsung release them and you don't have to wait for your carrier to test it and release it like you would now.

    Odin is a pretty handy way to install a different firmware. Look for the generic UK one.

    Odin guide on XDA

    Plus 1 for this.

    Odin is really easy and fast to use. It probably looks more complicated than it really is, so if you're going to give it a go, just follow the instructions carefully and it should work with no problems.

    I had the generic firmware from Samsung since about last October. Couldn't be bothered waiting for 3 to issue updates. With the Samsung firmware you don't get any bloat ware from the network provider, but you do still get all the "extra" stuff that Samsung puts on top of pure android.

    Give it a go and see how you get on. It might do exactly what you want. If you want even less extra software (which in my opinion was showing the phone down and was causing the media server battery drain issue) you can go the next step which is a full root and replacement Rom. That really gets rid of all unnecessary manufacturer software and makes the phone seem really fast. No issues with battery drain either.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Remember it does increase the flash counter! Though you can reset that. Just in case you'd have hardware trouble later.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭waynegalway


    ED E wrote: »
    Remember it does increase the flash counter! Though you can reset that. Just in case you'd have hardware trouble later.

    The flash counter didn't change on mine using odin and an official Samsung firmware. It did when I rooted and flashed the custom rom alright, but not the official one.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    The flash counter didn't change on mine using odin and an official Samsung firmware. It did when I rooted and flashed the custom rom alright, but not the official one.

    Oh, my mistake, you're right, flashing a generic wont increase it. Only got my GS3 this week so still working my way around.


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