Own an unlocked Samsung ATIV S? You're next in line for Update 3

If you own an unlocked Samsung ATIV S and are still waiting on GDR3 (or Update 3 as it's officially known), you're in luck as multiple reports have surfaced with handsets being bumped to the latest version of the operating system. Microsoft's Windows Phone Update 3 includes numerous new features for consumers to enjoy. 

Should you require a refresh as to what's included in the Windows Phone update, be sure to check out our past coverage. The reported version is 10517, here's a screenshot published over on MonWindowsPhone:

Have you received Update 3 on your ATIV S? Let us know in the comments.

via: MonWindowsPhone

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.

147 Comments
  • Should we begin AT&T comments now or later?
  • Now
  • AT&T is made up of ______; AT&T motherf______; __________ing AT&T, ...
  • agreed.lmao
  • ATT and the Lumia 1020 are rad as-is. I am fine with no more updates and will probably skip them even if they do get released.
  • Wat
  • I can only assume (s)he's using reverse psychology in case any AT&T reps are watching.
  • ^
    This.
  • Say that after 8.1 comes out
  • We shall see. Usually, .1 isn't much of an improvement. All the things I really want are hardware- and Nokia-related. I don't know what else the OS can do for me. I don't need Notification Center, don't give a rats ass about gestures, and don't give a flying fuck about closing apps. What I do want is a keyboard, 64GB of storage, stylus, waterproofing, traffic avoidance in Nokia Drive +, and continued camera improvements.
  • keyboard?
  • This time it will be even more of a change than WP7 to 7.5 or even 7.8. They're taking an awful lot longer than WP7 too to provide a significant update. This is wishful thinking but I'm predicting that they'll be introducing some Windows 8 features to WP8, such as app switching/closing and settings gestures. You should try using a Windows 8 tablet, the gestures are really what make it stand out from other OSes, and improve the UX a lot.
  • Where the hell is AT&T? I mean the 1520 is going to be released with black, and why so long for the 1020 to get it? And even longer for the 920 and 820!
  • Agreed. Commence ranting now
  • I updated yesterday. Unlocked ATIV S in Norway :D
  • Hi, Are you sure? Did you receive the update automatically? I have the same phone and still no update. I'm in Italy.
  • I just checked now and nothing. Ativ s unlocked
  • Nothing here either (Rogers unlocked on T-Mobile USA.
  • Rogers unlocked AT&T nothing yet.
  • ITELUS unlocked on Tmo nothing yet.
  • They probably mean the no carrier version. Yours is a carrier version that is unlocked.
  • I don't think so since HighDef/Chad said their version was Rogers.
  • Yes,Rogers will have to push the GRD3 update.Rogers has been pretty solid on pushing firmware and OS updates sense I bought the phone six months ago.
  • What about 925 on T-Mobile
  • No update so far... Moscow, Russia
  • When does my t mobile 925 get it :(
  • Nothing yet here in NC, USA
  • Won't have to wait on att since I no longer have an att rom installed on my 920
  • What were the Lumia Hipsters saying, something about Samsung not supporting their Windows Phones!!!!
  • Sounds like they are still correct. Samsung is adding nothing device specific in this update, unlike Nokias firmware updates.
  • Speaking of Nokias updates, when is black coming?
  • Early 2014 is what I heard ;-)
  • That's supposed to be 8.1(blue) in early '14. Black was rumored to be this month.
  • So, according to you support is adding features into an update before releasing it. I don't want manufacturers delaying updates to add features.
  • I don't think them releasing an update, that's probably mandatory,or at least takes very little effort could be considered support. But if that's all it takes to then I guess HTC is the most supportive having released their update first. Good for both companies, doing the bare minimum.
  • It's like non-Samsung users sit and wait for anything Samsung-related to emerge just to nitpick.
  • So you're telling us you don't want features if it means delaying features that are features being added.   Yo dawg ...
  • Yeah tbh it's the same idea as Samsung with android, takes at least a few months after google releases a new version to release it with touchwiz to their current phones.
  • The Nokia firmware customization are the cause of almost all WP users have to wait so long for the SO updates.
  • I wasn't aware att still has not released this update for the Lumia line yet. Been rocking the developer preview since. Shocking to hear Samsung supporting their devices though
  • Why don't you just get in on the developer update if you want it?
  • Nothing to report from Texas. Got an unlocked, what appears to be Hong Kong version. Haven't had any updates at all. No GDRS period.
  • No update so far. . . Under a bridge in a box in New York.
  • What's the reception like there?
  • I hear the pizza is bomb.
  • Allegory
  • No update so far. Lisbon, Portugal
  • You people hate Att for pushing updates late. I hated Tmobile for not releasing 7.8 update for Lumia 710. They never did.
    I flashed it couple weeks ago. Works fine))
  • ATT never released it either, I flashed it long ago on my titan II
  • I think data sense was the reason why at&t took so long with update 2, hopefully it'll be pushed to my unlocked 920 on T-mobile
  • Still waiting on it for my Verizon 8X lol
  • Pardon the stupid question.
    Why is it that unlocked devices get the update? Is it because unlocking bypasses carrier settings and restrictions? If my device isn't carrier unlocked, will I not get it/have to wait longer?
  • I guess it depends on a lot of different variables(carrier, oem, market, etc.). I have an UNLOCKED ATIV S and haven't gotten any updates at all. Some people are on GDR 2 already. Before that I had an Omnia 7  and I think I just got the 7.8 update the 2nd quarter of this year. That was also an unlocked phone. Most of the world had that update around the end of last year. There's talk of some people not having updates on the previous version of WP. But if it's been promised, you'll get it. Sometimes before the Unlocked Community like myself.
  • The carrier usually installs it's own firmware version. So, you would most likely get the update from the carrier.
  • Unlocked no-carrier phones get updates first because there's no carrier that has to test and push the update. You're getting it straight from MS. A sim-unlocked phone from a carrier is still the same as a locked phone. Both have a registry setting that say they are from the carrier.
  • I sware... If i don't get radio enable i will freak out! Ativ s need radio!
  • There is no RADIO In the ATIV S! There is a chip missing for FM Radio/Bluetooth 4.0 support.
  • I hate to break it to you but the ATIV S uses a different chipset to the Lumia, BT 4.0 and FM Radio are there but the OS doesn't have drivers for it.
  • Talking of radio, I installed two euro roms on my Lumia 920 none of them had the radio with the GDR2 update. I just don't want to flash again, starting from scratch is a pain on WP8, specially if your a gamer like me. Don't like the idea of starting a new career in asphalt 7 & 8
  • Honestly hate the "x" to close in multitasking. Have to reach the X with your thumb and make sure you hit the spot. Doesn't make sense why they wouldn't implement an easy swipe down. X to close so archaic.
  • Find something real to complain about.
  • Yeah, like poltergeists or magic!!
  • Huh?
  • Complaining makes things better in a sort of way
  • Maybe I'm complaining at the wrong place. Lolzzz!
  • Yea, you are. Many here, including myself love the X to close.
  • I'm sure there are many of you who do, not! I'm sure everyone have there own thoughts and ideas but there are those who just bend over and take it up the ass and like it. Take it as it comes or cu... Lolzzz!
  • Honestly I'd rather just keep it how it is now with the only way to close them is by spamming the back button. The X is tacky and outdated.
  • Get rid of the "x", quick flick up or down with your thumb, done. Try closing one handed using your thumb on the 1520. Not gonna happen. Oh wait, they'll say why don't you use your other hand but your other hand is busy holding something else therefore you can't close it fast when your girlfriend walked in. The X was just too far to reach one handed. You're busted buddy.
  • Like a coffee cup? xD
  • The X should at least be square to match WP
  • F**k the X.
  • The Ativ just made its way to ATT. Try being a Sprint customer knowing in advance how much they despise WP. Samsung's lack of caring only makes it worse. At least ATT rocks decent windows devices. Sprint limits you from bad to worse (and the HTC 8XT got the update weeks ago). Go figure!!
  • Nothing yet on my unlocked Bell ATIV S.
  • same
  • AT&T!!! Where's MY update! With the 1020 being the face of Windows Phones at the moment, the 1020 should been FIRST!
  • Get used to it. At&t likes to watch us squirm.
  • Nothing yet on unlocked Bell.
  • That's because you're sim unlocked, not unbranded unlocked.
  • Okay, anybody started the No GDR3 Club thread in Ativ S forum yet?
  • There are still people part of the No GDR2 Club...
  • I have a unlocked ativ s, and I am a dev so I updated gdr3 awhile back, however this is a newer version. But the "update" search doesn't find the updated release.
  • Samsung Australia still hasn't given us GDR2 so I'm not holding my breath for GDR3. My unlocked Ativ S is still on version 10211. I think Samsung Australia has lost interest in WP8 and isn't even chasing the telcos here to get their release of the update to GDR2 so what hope do we have for GDR3. OB
  • Still no GDR2 here on my Ativ S..
  • I have GDR3 for my lumia 920 and irs 5 mounth old.. ;)
  • BUT SAMSUNG DOESN'T SUPPORT WP8! NOKIA IS THE ONLY ONE THAT RELEASES UPDATES!!!
  • Wrong!
  • I see what you did there...
  • A typical ignorant Nokia fanboy. For the record, the ATIV S has been one of the first to receive the Portico update, GDR2 and now GDR3 update. Its always either the 8X or the ATIV S which gets first. Nokia takes way too long to release even after they customized the firmware because it still has to go thru carriers. Even unbranded devices will have to wait until almost all firmware has been finalized. Samsung and HTC however, release to unbranded devices first, while carrier-tied devices will get it as soon as the carrier has released it.  Samsung and HTC are almost always the first to receive updates.
  • I'm certain he was being sarcastic.
  • Nokia black couldn't come sooner. :'(
  • Been on GDR3 on my ATIV S for about 3 weeks now - O2UK
  • Own an unlocked Sammy Ativ S, in Malaysia... only managed to update to 8.0.10328.78! Sigh...
  • No luck here in Spain jet. Got an unlocked Ativ S bought from amazon germany. Is there any way to force the update? I'm on 8.0.10327.77  
  • Obviously, there's some confusion here about what it means to have an "unlocked" ATIV S. If you got your phone from a carrier (like AT&T), your phone is LOCKED. If you bought your phone from a some retailer that includes a package deal with a carrier, you bought a LOCKED phone. Unlocked phones do not come with carriers attached. It means that you can choose whatever carrier you wish or no carrier at all and simply use the phone on the Net.
  • I think if Rich used the term "unbranded" or "no carrier" it would be more clear.
  • Hi, Are you sure? Did you receive the update automatically? I have the same phone and still no update. I'm in Italy.
  • Received GDR3 This morning on my branded HTC 8X T-Mobile in The Netherlands. No luck though with Bluetooth connection HTC 8X - Surface 2.
  • Forget about GDR3 update, I'm still waiting for GDR2!!
  • Download the "preview for developers" app and you can get both GDR 2 and 3 today.
  • hi all havent commented much i have an Ativ s international version i8750 did the gdr3 dev update that was offered weeks ago so when i saw yesterday that gdr3 was available i checked for update and about 6 seconds or more an update started to download and my i8750 was updated around 8 pm last night friday. os cersion 8.0 10512.142 firmware 2424.13.10.1 phone seems smoother opens apps faster to me overall phone feels better.
  • Apple has iPhone. Google has Nexus. And Microsoft has... one big nothing. As an owner if WP device I have access to ecosystem (iPhone), which is still isn't consistent (Android), and still have to wait for updates (OEM Android), that include basic features, which should there from the beginning and many more are still missing even after years. The bennefits of having WP device are currently non existent. Period.
  • Microsoft has Nokia.
  • And what good that does to us? We STILL have to wait weeks/months for updates. Heck, even HTC released it quicker!
  • what's the reason microsoft doesn't let download the update from its website, like apple?
  • Times like these I feel lucky to have bought an unlocked device. Hope 925's turn comes along soon.
  • No update ATM in Lithuania. But the news are good :)
  • Is this not a discussion in samsung ativ s? Why so much talk on nokia?
  • Because Nokia fanboys can't let a non-Nokia discussion happen on WPCentral anymore.
  • Because a non-Nokia product is getting an update first, and they have to express their jealousy by being petty.
  • Every article concerning ativ s turns into an "us against them" thing with Nokia owners. The Nokia comments in this thread are actually quite mild compared to some past articles.
  • Its funny how when the file explorer for the ATIV S was announced, all the Nokia fanboys were like "If I needed a file explorer I would've gone for Android" and "We don't need file explorers. Only droids need that". I can bet you that if this was announced for the Lumia series, everyone would be like "OMG finally" and like "I thought this day would never come".   Literally a day after the ATIV S was officially interop-unlocked, Lumia users all went apeshit and was all like "why do you even need to unlock the ATIV? maybe bcos they want nokia features" and opened a forum to discuss on unlocking the Lumia 920   Summary? Nokia fanboys are jealous. Very jealous. They suck at hiding it.
  • Do you know the reason why Microsoft doesn't upload the updates to the web so people can just download them without being dependent on region, carriers, producers and so?
  • Still no official updates on my Ativ S. Not even GDR2. Indonesia, telkomsel.
  • Same as you, but in brazil... I am losing hope "/
  • Samsung ATIV S unlocked in Greece, I just got the Update 3/GDR3 - OS version:8.0.10517.150 !!!!  :D :D :D
  • What do you think of it?
  • It seems smooth for now and I'm really excited that finally I can close the apps that run in the background that simple xD I'll post again for more impressions.
  • Got GDR3, want Lumia Black for my 920
  • Does changing regions help get the update?
  • i think yes. which region you are?
  • Switzerland... nah i tried changing regions... no love :(
  • Here in brazil ativ s dint receive GDR 2 yet "/ Samsung brazil leting us down very bad
  • Here in Israel we didn't receive GDR2 yet.. I'm really looking forward to getting the GDR3!!
  • Im also in Israel, waiting for update 3...carrier golan telecom
  • Did you get GDR2?
  • No. GDR 2, as far as i know, was not rolled out to samsung ativ s, which is not ok of course. I don't get why Microsoft doesn't put the update in it's site that people can just download it once its out, and not to be dependent on carriers and so...
  • Today, December 18, ativ s devices in Israel got Update 3!
  • Just checked for the update on my wife's unlocked ativ s. Nothing yet.
  • Got update today. Unlocked, bought in germany, currently on croatian carrier.. Works perfectly..
  • Nothing here, in Spain, yet.
  • changed the phone CSC to ATO and it updated itself.  Now running: OS version 8.0.10517.150
    Firmware revision 2424.13.10.1
  • Same here, unbranded Ativ S bought in Germany, changed CSC from DBT to ATO and got the update. Everything working as usual. Thanks for the tip!
  • How did you do that?
  • Obviously, do this at your own risk - This will Factory Reset your phone   Dial ##634# as if making a phone call Another numerical keypad appears Dial *#321647335 [CSC Converter] menu appears Select ATO A message appears saying ATO CSC selected and asking if you wish to reset your phone. Press OK 
  • Any Idea as to why the following happened: I changed my csc and now I'm unable to change it back.. the ##634# doesn't open the desired other keypad. I can't acces the store and some other inconveniences. I've treid to flash the phone to different settings too, but the "Windows phone 8 SMD binary downloader" which I'm using isn't co-operating. I used it before when interop-unlocking my phone. But now the binary downloader won't start, the start button stays grey :/
  • Sorry, I posted this in a rush this morning and neglected to thank Megasound for the original info on changing your CSC   I'm a little concerned that I shouldn't have posted these instructions in the comment on a news story though.
  • Can I change the CSC without format the Ativ?
  • Not as far as I know. Sorry
  • Thanks
  • Hi guys,    Are there any modifications on this update, in comparison to the developers update? I have the developers gdr3 on my Ativ S and i want to know if it's necesary to go change the CSC to get the new update. ( Here in Romania the update didn't appeared iet). Tnx, Cris  
  • Yep, still no update here. (Unlocked ATIV S)
  • my samsung is just showing two spinning gears, and it have been doing it for many hours now...
    anyone got any tips on how i can fix it?
  • http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f200/samsung-ativ-s-i8750-wp8-hard-reset...
  • Any idea when this updates coming to Australia?  
  • Just got this update today in Australia. No SIM, just over WiFi. 2 stages of updates. Unlocked and un-branded.
  • I got an update 2day actual version of software its 8.0.10517.150 but i cant see anything new on my phone. Will be other update to 8.1 ???? Location Czech republic.