When the Samsung Galaxy S3 was released in 2012, it came out with the Android 4.4 KitKat on it as its mobile operating system. Given the unwritten two-year rule in updating the mobile OS of Android devices, rumors have circulated as early as November last year that the device would not be getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop.
While users of the device remained hopeful and express optimism that Android 5.0 Lollipop will eventually be rolled out to the Samsung Galaxy S3, it never came even when the mobile OS started coming to the Samsung devices starting early this year.
Other Samsung devices have taken on the subsequent updates to the Android 5.0 Lollipop including the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop which was the OS on board the latest flagship smartphone devices of the company – the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge – when they were rolled out to the markets in April this year. But nothing has been heard for the Android 5.0 Lollipop release on the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Early this month, Samsung announced that its devices will start taking on the Android 5.1 Lollipop and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop firmware updates, but nothing has been heard with regards to the Galaxy S3.
A sort of official confirmation came about on July 4, when Samsung UK, through its official Twitter account called Samsung Mobile UK, responded to a query of one user whether the Note 2 LTE or the S3 LTE will be getting the Android Lollipop soon.
Samsung Mobile UK tweeted that they do not want to give out the bad news but the Note 2 and the Galaxy S3 will not be receiving the Lollipop update, thus ending all speculations and hopes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 users officially receiving the Android Lollipop or possibly any future updates for that matter.
Customs versions
Instead of getting disappointed however, fans of the Samsung Galaxy S3 should be happy to know that a customs ROM version of the Android 5.0 Lollipop and other subsequent updates are available for download now.
Android developers JustArchi and Monster2 have created a CyanogenMod 12.1 build based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for rooted Galaxy S3 owner, with the specific build of GT-19300, details the Android Pit.
Accordingly, it is a work in progress but all the major device features are up and running including the Lollipop Material Design aesthetic and lock screen notifications. Users may want to check the CyanogenMod Wiki entry for the GT-I9300 download procedures.
Fastest phone in the world before
The 2013 flagship smartphone of Samsung, the Galaxy S3, which was regarded before as the fastest phone in the world, data and command processing wise, now either sports customs ROM Android 5.0.1 Lollipop or Android 5.0.2 Lollipop on it. And the mobile OS update never stops even if Samsung is not doing anything about it.
Developers have already come up with custom ROM based on Android 5.1 Lollipop and the latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, but it’s up to users if they are willing to take on the unofficial updates.
Considering the age factor, it is important for users to upgrade the mobile operating system of their smartphones to turn their units not only relevant in terms of current apps, but also to make it the best it can always be with latest features.
The same holds true for the Samsung Galaxy S3. While three years is relatively old by today’s smartphone standards, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is still one of the better handsets in the market today and it can still hold its own against some of the flagships of other companies.