Samsung's most-awaited smartphone, the Galaxy S4, appears to be ready to finally hit shelves. However, there is a thick haze of confusion on its availability. According to recent reports, the limited availability of Galaxy S4 has caused delayed launches at leading carriers including Sprint and T-Mobile. Here is what we know so far about the availability of Galaxy S4 in the U.S. market:
AT&T
Pre-order: Available now.
Availability: AT&T will be the first carrier in the U.S. to start shipping the Galaxy S4. AT&T's version of the Galaxy S4 is set to arrive on April 25 for at least some of those who pre-ordered the device. However, late pre-orders will have to wait until April 30 or more to get the device. The smartphone will be available in the carrier's stores and online outlets starting April 27.
Price: $199.99 on two-year contract for the 16GB version. It's not clear when the carrier will make the 32GB model available.
Verizon Wireless:
Pre-order: Available now.
Availability: Verizon will start shipping the device by May 30. In-store availability will begin on the same date as well. Verizon is yet to announce the device's online availability.
Price: $250 for the 16GB version with $50 mail-in rebate.
Sprint:
Pre-order: Starts on April 27.
Availability: Sprint has pushed the in-store availability to an unspecified date due to unexpected inventory challenges from Samsung. Online sales will go on as scheduled on April 27.
Price: According to GottaBeMobile, "Sprint will still be selling the 16GB Galaxy S4 for $250 on-contract and we aren't sure how long the discount for new lines, which drops the price down to $199.99." It's unclear when Sprint's version of the 32GB Galaxy S4 will arrive.
T-Mobile:
Pre-order: Not yet available.
Availability: T-Mobile pushed back the online availability back to April 29 due to what it termed an "unexpected delay with inventories." T-Mobile still hopes the device will reach its retail stores by May 1.
Price: $149.99 with monthly device payments through the Simple Choice Plan.
U.S. Cellular
Pre-order: Available now.
Availability: U.S. Cellular has confirmed to GottaBeMobile that its version of Galaxy S4 will go on sale online on April 26 while in-store availability is scheduled for April 30.
Price: The 16GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be price at $199 with a two-year contract.
None of the regional, smaller carriers have confirmed any specific details on their Galaxy S4 release. Ting, Cricket and C Spire are vague on their plans. As far as the retailers are concerned, Best Buy is currently accepting pre-orders for Sprint and AT&T models. Although Radio Shack has begun its promotions for Sprint and AT&T, it has yet to announce the availability or pre-order details for the device. Amazon has already started accepting pre-orders for the Sprint model for an unsubsidized price of $699.99 while the availability of AT&T and Verizon are said to be coming soon.