There have been some changes and announcements regarding the release of the Samsung Galaxy S 4. When we thought we knew when the Samsung Galaxy S 4 would be released from T-Mobile and Sprint however, there were changes in plans due to huge demand, inventory issues and supply problems. Verizon announced presale and store sale dates. The Samsung Experience Shop did open on time, today with Samsung Galaxy S 4 on display.
Verizon announced today, it will take preorders for the Samsung Galaxy S 4, tomrrow April 25th, priced at $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
UPDATE 4/25/2013: The Samsung Galaxy S 4 will be in Verizon stores May 30.
Samsung noted that the delays were from the demand worldwide was overwhelming, however the company expects to full inventory in the coming weeks.
T-Mobile previously expected to take preorders starting today which has been pushed to Monday April 29. There is no confirmed new release date which was announced to be May 1.
Sprints previously stated that the Samsung Galaxy S4 would be released on April 27, however a statement to the media
"Unfortunately, due to unexpected inventory challenges from Samsung, we will be slightly delayed with our full product launch. Sprint is one of Samsung’s largest partners and we are working closely with them to launch in all Sprint channels as soon as possible. We expect to make Galaxy S 4 available at www.sprint.com as planned on Saturday with Sprint retail stores and other channels receiving devices as inventory becomes available."
It has gotten so hard to keep track of all the Samsung Galaxy S 4 release dates, we made a chart. Please be aware that these dates could change at any time. Pricing seems to be the same across carriers, except T-Mobile that has its own pricing structure.
Last, year Samsung had problems with the quality of the cases for the Samsung Galaxy S III:
- Samsung Galaxy S III release dates started in June 2012. AT&T delayed preorders until June 25, 2012, T-Mobile released the Samsung Galaxy S III on 6/21/2012, Sprint sold out of preorders on 6/19 and delayed the release date until 7/01/2012. Verizon Wireless released the Samsung Galaxy S III around July 12, 2012 preorders started in June. MetroPCS released the Samsung Galaxy S III on 10/22/2012, Cricket on 11/23/2012.
The delay we later learned was to do defective gain in 100,000 Samsung Galaxy S III covers that had to be replaced. Samsung has sold over 40 million Samsung Galaxy S III smartphones.
According to Velti, Samsung Galaxy models dominate, Android use.
The new Samsung Experience Shop by Best Buy in New York’s Union Square Best Buy store held a grand opening. JK Shin, CEO and President of IT and Mobile Business at Samsung, Hubert Joly, CEO of Best Buy, and Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America hosted the executive grand opening. The store opened as planned. It looks like there are Samsung Galaxy S 4 in stock.
As we noted previously, it may behoove you to wait for the Samsung Galaxy S 4 to save money, have more choices, more accessories and more stable software. First looks seem promising but many are stating that it's a minor upgrade from the Samsung Galaxy S III.
I must appreciate Samsung's marketing techniques as they again selling a identical Galaxy kind of smartphone at cheaper price so that they get into the competition. It's high time for Samsung to start thinking over some fresh design as well.