New Android 4.3 build now available for Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition

Some devices get all the ROMs. Of course, for the Google Play Edition of the Galaxy S4, that's kind of the point. Late last month an early version of Android 4.3 was leaked for the phone right around the time of its Play Store debut, and now an even newer build labeled "JWR66V" has popped up. According to XDA Developers forum poster Jahon, it was build on July the 11th, and now it's been re-packaged into a ROM file flashable in the custom recovery of your choice. Details are scarce at the time being, as users are still testing to feel out the extent of the changes. Notably the Galaxy S4's wireless charging feature now works even when the phone is off, and battery life and charging rates seem to be improved. Google Wallet now works (if you're not rooted) as do some third-party apps like DashClock and IMDB. There are a few bugs with other apps and SIM unlocking, so it may not be ready as a "daily driver" just yet.

Even the most flash-happy ROM addicts may want to wait a bit before flashing a new 4.3 build.Google's event on Wednesday may reveal some new Nexus 7 hardware, and possibly the formal release of Android 4.3 as well, which should come to Nexus and Google Play devices without too much delay.

 Google is yet to announce its newest version of Android OS and will be doing so on July 24 in San Francisco. The Android 4.3 version with build JWR66V has been leaked and the latest Android OS brings battery improvements, supports wireless charging even when the device is powered off and few other under the hood enhancements.

The unofficial Android 4.3 OS also comes with few bugs like SIM unlock issues and abnormal functionality of a few applications, which include CNN, APEX launcher, GTA Vice City, XDA Premium app, BestBuy app, Titanium Backup, Nobex Radio and HBO Go.

Reassuring buyers and the Android community that Samsung and Google are working together to ensure that as soon a new version of Android is released, these GPE devices will have it. 

This is the second leaked build of Android 4.3 we have seen for this device, with this one showing a build date of July 11. What this leads us to believe is that once Google “okays” Android 4.3, the Galaxy S4 GPE will be ready to receive it. Previously, it was somewhat unclear whether the HTC One and Galaxy S4 GPE devices would be first in line to receive the newest versions of Android alongside Nexus devices, but this a pretty good sign.

Compared to the previous leak, the new build doesn’t bring anything new to the table instead of a few fixes – previous leak stopped the CPU from going into an idle state which caused a huge battery drain, this has been fixed in this new build. The new firmware is reportedly much snappier and smoother than the previous leak, as well.

Firmware Details:
Model: GT-I9505G
Country: United States of America
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 1081152
Build date: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 19:23:28 +0000
Product Code: XAR
PDA: I9505GUEUBMG8
CSC: I9505GXARBMG8
MODEM: I9505GUEUBMG8

While you can already flash this new ROM, your best bet would be waiting for Google to roll out Android 4.3, at which point Samsung will likely release the appropriate Galaxy S4 Google Play edition software update – because this isn’t a Nexus device, it’s up to Samsung to do it.

The new "Scanning always available" option under Wifi > Advanced, which lets the device use Google location services even when Wifi is off, is now explained as part of the setup process, too.

This tells us that once Google places their stamp of approval on Android 4.3, the Google Play Edition Galaxy S4 will primed to welcome it in. It wasn’t clear if the HTC One or the Galaxy S4 GPE would be standing next to other Android Nexus devices when the update rolled out, but now it looks like this will in fact be the case.