Samsung’s software team continues to impress us. First, they brought the Gingerbread update pretty soon and now they look set to update their Galaxy S phone with the latest version of Android for phone, Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread). This feels so special because we Galaxy S owners has really hard time (read: very long time) getting the Android 2.2 Froyo update on our SGS which had launched with Android 2.1 Éclair.

But that’s past.

Now, we have the latest version of Android available to us. And even if it’s not launched by Samsung to your area, you can download the Android 2.3.4 ROM from link below and install it following the instructions set given below. Thanks Ficeto, who brought the news to us!

Warning: Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won�t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Pre-installation thoughts:

  1. Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
  2. Disable Lagfix, if you’re using one. Use this Guide to disable/enable lagfix, if you need help!
  3. Drivers! — it’s important you’ve the proper drivers installed. For 32 bit (x86) Windows, download from here and for 64-bit (x64) Windows, download from here.

A very clean step-by-step guide is given below and would be more than enough for you to easily flash Android 2.3.4 Firmware on your Galaxy S. But in case you wanna watch the procedure on video, check out the video at the bottom of this post which shows flashing of an Android 2.3.3 Firmware — XXJVB — on Galaxy S. It would serve as a good guide to flash the Android 2.3.4 Firmware, XXJVP, too, since the since the process is almost same, except that there is no PIT file involved there and hence no ticking of the Re-partition box. The video is just for reference. You have to follow the steps given below only.

How to Install Android 2.3.4 Firmware on Galaxy S i9000 (international version):

  1. Download the Android 2.3.4 Firmware – XXJVP. Filename: XXJVP-234.ZIP. Size: 247.03 MB. Download Link.
  2. Extract the downloaded file XXJVP-234.ZIP to get these 4 files:
    1. CODE_I9000XXJVP_CL264642_REV03_user_low_ship.tar.md5
    2. GT-I9000-CSC-MULTI-OXAJVP.tar.md5
    3. MODEM_I9000XXJVP_REV_00_CL1019177.tar.md5
    4. s1_odin_20100512.pit
  3. Download Odin3 v1.7.zip from here — Mediafire Link. Extract the zip file to get Odin3 v1.7.exe.
  4. Disconnect your phone if it’s connected to PC.  Switch Off your phone. Wait for vibration to confirm complete switch off.
  5. Now, put it in Download Mode — press and hold these keys together: Volume_DOWN+Home+Power.
  6. Open Odin (from step 3). Connect your phone to PC now. You should get the message “Added! !” under the Odin’s message box.
  7. Important, tick the ‘Re-Partition’ checkbox while also keeping ‘Auto Reboot’ & ‘F. Reset Time’ checkboxes ticked. All the 3 checkboxes will be ticked.
  8. In Odin, place these files (check out the screenshot given at the top for help):
    1. In the PDA box, select this file (from step 2.1) — CODE_I9000XXJVP_CL264642_REV03_user_low_ship.tar.md5
    2. In the Phone box, select this file (from step 2.3) — MODEM_I9000XXJVP_REV_00_CL1019177.tar.md5
    3. In the CSC box, select this file (from step 2.2) — GT-I9000-CSC-MULTI-OXAJVP.tar.md5
    4. In the PIT box, select this file (from step 2.4) — s1_odin_20100512.pit
  9. Double check everything said in step 7 and 8 above. Your Odin’s window should look real similar to the image at the very top — which is my Odin’s screen while I flashed the XXJVP on my super Galaxy S.
  10. Now, hit the START button to let the process begin. When process at Odin finishes your phone will automatically reboot. You can unplug the cable now.

When your phone has restarted, you are on the XXJVP Android 2.3.4 Firmware on your phone. Congrats!

Check your phone’s version here: Press Options -> Settings -> Scroll down and select About Phone -> Scroll down and check your version.

UPDATE: This guide here would help you Root XXJVP Firmware.

Installation Video of Android 2.3.3 Firmware XXJVB on Galaxy S (only for reference):

Share your joy with us in the comments below, along with other interesting view about the firmware. Are you surprised by Samsung too, getting the Android 2.3.4 firmware pretty nicely soon?