The Samsung Galaxy S III’s Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, which first started reaching international handsets on November 4, is now rolling out in the United Kingdom. It will reach unlocked and unbranded handsets first, and users will be able to download and install it over-the-air or via Samsung’s KIES app for Mac and PC.

Samsung never provides us with change logs when it updates its Android-powered devices — not even with big updates like this one — but thanks to SamMobile, we have an extensive list of what’s new in this release:

CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ANDROID 4.3 UPDATE

– GALAXY GEAR Support
– TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)
– ANT+ Support
– Core UI elements updated to the ones on the Galaxy S4 (Galaxy S4′s theme all over)
– New Samsung Keyboard
– GPU drivers have been updated (Higher GPU benchmark scores)
– New Lockscreen: Multiple Widgets, improved ripple effect than Android 4.1.2, ability to change clock size and set a personal message
– New Screen modes (From S4): Adapt Display and Professional Photo
– Daydream
– Driving mode
– Actionable notifications
– Move-to-SD-card feature
– New Camera mode : Sound and Shot
– New Additions in Notification Centre
– Completely revamped Settings UI (Tabbed interface – Exactly like the Galaxy S4)
– Implementation of Voice controls (Let’s you control various parts of the phone using voice commands – Galaxy S4 feature)
– New Samsung Apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music
– Full screen Samsung apps
– New S-Voice (from Galaxy S4)

You’ll notice that a lot of the handset’s new features first made their debut on the Galaxy S4 earlier this year, and Galaxy S III users will no doubt be pleased to get their hands on them without having to upgrade their device. While they may have the same hardware, it should feel a little fresher after this update.

• ViaSamMobile