Samsung firmware update will fix sudden death issue with the Galaxy S III

posted by Alan F.

Jan 02, 2013, 4:25 PM

Samsung firmware update will fix sudden death issue with the Galaxy S III

Samsung will soon push out a firmware update to fix the Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung now says that it was a firmware bug that was killing off a small number of units of the 16GB Samsung Galaxy S III. As we told you back last month, some owners of the device were finding the phone bricked 150 to 200 days after activation. Samsung was replacing affected units under the warranty, even going as far as replacing rooted units that had died.

There is no word on when Samsung will push out the update, but we're a strong believer in the theory that sudden death should be reserved for the NFL and NHL. Samsung spokeswoman Anne ter Braaky says that if you have a unit that is not working, take it to a Samsung repair center. While the motherboard is covered under the warranty, the firmware still needs to be updated.

If you are one of the unlucky ones whose Samsung Galaxy S III has crossed over, Samsung says not to worry, the company will take care of you.

source: Tweakers(translated) via AndroidAuthority

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Display 4.8 inches
1280 x 720 pixels

Camera 8 MP (Single camera)
1.9 MP front

Hardware Samsung Exynos 4 Quad, 1GB RAM

Storage 32GB, microSDXC

Battery 2100 mAh

OS Android 4.3
Samsung TouchWiz UI

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33 Comments

33. darac

Posts: 2156; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

I got a 165MB software update yesterday. "Stability improvements" And it just started automatically when I turned Wi-Fi on. Is that it?

posted on Jan 07, 2013, 2:18 AM 0

32. SEFsung

Posts: 15; Member since: Dec 28, 2012

That's why I love Samsung, they don't blame their costumers' handling. ;)))

posted on Jan 05, 2013, 4:14 AM 0

31. mariosraptor

Posts: 195; Member since: Mar 15, 2012

the best thing is that it is a SW bug. that means that hardware quality is top notch and has no competition. so a sw update by them will fix it permanently. anybody that is afraid i just remind of a 2 year manufacturer warranty. now that they have acknowledged it do not worry if you yor phone dies. just take backups frequently.

posted on Jan 03, 2013, 2:50 PM 0

30. ryscott

Posts: 1; Member since: Jan 03, 2013

My sgs3 is still under the care of samsung service center in Thailand. Exactly January 01, 2013 my phone experienced a sudden death syndrome. so far almost of my colleague sgs3 phone are working well. They're also worried that they may experience the same thing. Good thing samsung still gives me hope. (my sgs3 just only 4 mo.old).

posted on Jan 03, 2013, 12:34 PM 0

27. tanim

Posts: 17; Member since: Jun 27, 2012

Anyone having slow charging issue when upgraded to JB 4.1.1?

posted on Jan 03, 2013, 12:56 AM 0

28. loken

Posts: 462; Member since: May 09, 2012

my dads phone has it.. it dosent charge it decharges..

posted on Jan 03, 2013, 4:51 AM 0

29. tanim

Posts: 17; Member since: Jun 27, 2012

I've searched and found a lot of people having the same issue. Too bad media is not picking it up

posted on Jan 03, 2013, 6:47 AM 0

26. darkskoliro

Posts: 1092; Member since: May 07, 2012

Lots of people are still being affected by it nevertheless....http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-s3-sudden-death-issue-corrected-official-samsung-firmware-update-143834/

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 10:17 PM 1

23. samsungapple

Posts: 10; Member since: Sep 30, 2012

at least samsung cares about their customers unlike apple.....

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 8:44 PM 0

25. chaoticrazor

Posts: 2347; Member since: Aug 28, 2012

mate get you head out your ass, no company cares. if they can find a way to squeeze cash out of you while keeping you in the mindset that they care they will. they didnt do this fix for you, they did it to retrieve there image and keep people from switching to competition. if they had left this then there reputation would decline and someone else would be there to pick up those who want to switch all about money so again head remove it from ass please

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 9:18 PM 5

16. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

Even the rooted units????? Kudos sammy!!!

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 7:02 PM 2

15. duwiegeneral

Posts: 48; Member since: Dec 07, 2012

this sudden death bug is the worse i ave ever heard and thats all u bias andrie's r so call adroid lover's can say????????? wat if it was the lumia's r iphones??

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 6:56 PM 1

17. PhoneArenaUser

Posts: 5498; Member since: Aug 05, 2011

Which bug is wore, bug which can be fixed with update or bug which can't be fixed with update? At least they don't say "You're holding it wrong!"...

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 7:08 PM 3

18. PhoneArenaUser

Posts: 5498; Member since: Aug 05, 2011

worse*

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 7:17 PM 1

14. cripton805

Posts: 1485; Member since: Mar 18, 2012

At least they fixed it and all it took was an update. Nothing wrong with the hardware.

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 6:41 PM 2

13. darac

Posts: 2156; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

Oh sweet.. now I can get back to enjoying my S3 in peace. Samsung will take care of you my precious, yeeesss it will.. we love Samsung, yeeesss we do.. *Gollum grin*

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 6:15 PM 3

10. ray77

Posts: 126; Member since: Nov 17, 2012

Good Sammy boy

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 5:07 PM 2

8. darkkjedii

Posts: 31805; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

This just goes to show that no handset is perfect, kudos to Samsung for taking care of the issues.

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 4:50 PM 11

7. bonsly16

Posts: 94; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

Nice gesture from Samsung and good for them to recognize the issue with their own firmware and find a solution.

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 4:47 PM 8

4. KazEmpire

Posts: 39; Member since: Nov 07, 2011

Glad to hear its being solved. it was keeping me from buying S3.

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 4:40 PM 7

6. SleepingOz unregistered

if you don't mind the size, buy the GNOTE II instead.

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 4:46 PM 7

11. KazEmpire

Posts: 39; Member since: Nov 07, 2011

well i dont mind the size but i do mind the price.

posted on Jan 02, 2013, 5:33 PM 6

12. jtmoney430

Posts: 5; Member since: Jul 30, 2012

I would love the GNote 2 instead of the S3. But I don't see anyone wanting to make that trade. So no biggie cause the S3 is still an extremely sweet phone.