Jelly Bean
Samsung has officially rolled out an update for the Virgin Mobile and T-Mobile versions of the Samsung Galaxy S II, nearly 10 months after its release and two years after its initial release on Sprint and T-Mobile respectively, making them the oldest Galaxy S II variants to be updated to the second latest Android version, in 4.1.2.
The updates are currently available over Samsung’s Kies updater tool or over the Windows-only Simple Update Tool. The Jelly Bean update for both variants consists of the following changes:
- Project Butter for improved scrolling and less lag
- Improved Widgets
- Google Now
- New Voice Search
- Improved Camera App
- Improved keyboard
Currently, there is no word on whether either update will roll out over the air.
The Virgin Mobile update for the Galaxy S II also marks the first time Samsung has made a generational update available for the operator’s devices since the last attempt to roll out a major Android update for the Samsung Intercept in 2011 in FroYo, which ended in frustration for both sides after multiple delays and ultimately forced Virgin Mobile to end major OTA updates.
That both the T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile variants of the Samsung S II are also getting timely updates from Samsung reflects more on the manufacturer than the carriers, as both carriers are nearing EOL status with their respective versions of the 2 year old former flagship, especially as T-Mobile prepares for the Galaxy S IV launch.
Virgin Mobile has yet to confirm what will eventually replace the S II as it features rapidly aging WiMax support; the operator is moving swiftly to offer LTE powered devices, such as the Jelly Bean powered Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE at a $50 lower price point than the Galaxy S II, on sale for $299.99 until May 31st with the standard MSRP at $329.99.
The Jelly Bean update for the S2 is probably Virgin’s largest update ever. I wouldn’t say it’s a big change… Samsung promised Jelly Bean for all S2 variants. It would be nice to say that this is Virgin Mobile warming to generational updates… but at least it didn’t get kibashed.