Leak shows when Galaxy devices will get Android 4.3 in U.S.; 30% return rate for Galaxy Gear watches

A leaked document from big box retailer Best Buy, shows that the Android 4.3 update, which has recently rolled out internationally, will soon be coming to U.S. versions of the same model. Popular devices like the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, Samsung GALAXY Note II, and the Samsung Galaxy S III will all support Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch once each device gets updated to Android 4.3. This is expected to happen before the end of this year. Currently, the Gear watch pairs only with the recently released Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet.

The document also reveals expected dates when the major U.S. carriers will be rolling out the Android 4.3 update to Samsung Galaxy devices. For example, on Monday the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be updated to Android 4.3, according to the document, which will allow it to support the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Checkout the chart below to see when to expect your Galaxy phone to receive its update. The document does say that the dates can be changed.

Meanwhile, the document notes that "The Galaxy Gear attachment rate within Best Buy is the highest among all channels; however the overall return rate is trending above 30%." What this means is that Best Buy is selling a decent number of Gear smartwatches to Galaxy Note 3 buyers, but three out of ten watches are being returned. That is a not a positive figure as far as Samsung is concerned. The Korean OEM was happy to beat Apple to the marketplace with the Galaxy Gear, but at a very high cost.


source: Geek.com via AndroidCentral