Samsung Galaxy S4: everything you need to know – The Verge

Google Play editions of HTC One and Galaxy S4 with stock Android available now

2013-06-26T13:03:20-04:00

EMBARGO Google Play HTC One S4

The wait is finally over: starting now, you can purchase two leading Android smartphones, the HTC One and Samsung's Galaxy S4, each loaded with a stock version of Google's mobile operating system. Both "Google Play edition" unlocked GSM devices go on sale today, priced at $599 and $649 respectively. Initial orders will ship by July 9th according to Google. The Galaxy S4 and One Google Play editions are being sold alongside Google's existing line of Nexus products - flagship hardware meant to showcase Android the way its creators intended.

Today marks the first time these smartphones have been available stripped of their respective manufactu …

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Samsung backtracks on Galaxy S4 storage issues, hints at update to free up space

2013-05-16T05:09:27-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4 hero more better (1024px)

Samsung has said it will look into ways to free up more storage in its new Galaxy S4 handset after the issue was featured on consumer BBC TV show Watchdog. Offering only 8GB of free space on its 16GB model, CNET reports that the company will review "the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimisation."

Earlier this month, Samsung irked customers by suggesting that Galaxy S4 owners could alleviate their storage concerns by purchasing a microSD card. It previously pointed to the flagship's 1080p display and "more powerful features" as the primary reasons why certain models only offered around half the storage spa …

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Verizon pushes up Samsung Galaxy S4 release date to May 23rd

2013-05-13T15:28:53-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4 in hand (875px)

Verizon Wireless will release Samsung's Galaxy S4 one week earlier than originally planned, with the Android flagship now set to arrive at stores and the carrier's web store on May 23rd. Late last month, Verizon said customers would need to wait until May 30th to get their hands on the new handset - already available from all three other major US carriers. The expedited date means Verizon will still be last out of the gate in delivering the S4 to retail, but the wait just got a bit shorter for those awaiting Samsung's latest and greatest. Price-wise, we're talking the same $199.99, but if you've already placed a pre-order, there's a good cha …

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Samsung Galaxy S4 launching without Knox security software

2013-04-24T20:30:11-04:00

via cdn2.sbnation.com

The launch of Samsung's Galaxy S4 might be just days away, but the full version of the company's Knox enterprise security framework won't make it aboard in time for release. Citing two unnamed people with knowledge of the project, the New York Times reports that the software will be delayed roughly until July because the company needs more time for testing, both internally and with carriers. Samsung also confirmed to the Times that the full version of Knox would not be available until "a later date."

Enables a separate, locked-down environment

Knox is a multilayered security solution for Android devices that enables a separate, locked-down e …

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Verizon Galaxy S4 coming May 30th, pre-orders start tomorrow for $199.99

2013-04-24T11:02:51-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4 in hand (875px)

While the other major carriers in the US have all revealed their plans to release the Samsung Galaxy S4, Verizon Wireless has been a bit more secretive. The carrier now says that it will begin pre-orders for the S4 tomorrow, but it is still leaving us in the dark as to when it will ship the phone and how much it will cost. The news comes as other carriers have delayed their launch plans: T-Mobile expects to sell the phone online starting on April 29th, while Sprint will have the phone available online on the 27th. Both were forced to push back retail availability due to inventory problems. AT&T, meanwhile, still plans to have the Galaxy S4 i …

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Samsung Galaxy S4 review

2013-04-24T00:01:23-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4 hero more better (1024px)

Years ago, people either bought an iPhone or "a Droid." Verizon's marketing power, those insane robot ads, and maybe that just-close-enough naming convention made the carrier's Android phones virtually synonymous with their operating system.

But now I hear people every day saying "Oh, is that the new Galaxy?" or "I don't really want an iPhone. I think I'm going to get a Galaxy." Thanks to its high quality and wide availability, not to mention Samsung's sheer brute-forcing marketing effort, the Galaxy S III became the face of the Android universe. It has sold tens of millions of units, and helped Android take huge marketshare away from the i …

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Samsung Galaxy S4 delayed for T-Mobile and Sprint (update)

2013-04-23T22:05:16-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4 colors

AT&T customers may be the first to get their hands on the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone in the United States, but T-Mobile buyers may suffer a wait. While the "uncarrier" originally planned to begin online sales of the Galaxy S4 smartphone on April 24th, T-Mobile now says that online availability has been delayed five days to April 29th as a result of an unexpected inventory delay. Amusingly, it was also an unexpected inventory allotment which allowed AT&T to begin its early preorder deliveries, but perhaps it's just a coincidence.

As far as we know, T-Mobile will still begin selling the Galaxy S4 at physical retail locations on May 1st. Spr …

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Samsung Galaxy S4 hits AT&T stores April 27th, pre-orders could arrive two days earlier

2013-04-22T19:20:32-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4

Cellular carriers are racing to put the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone on sale as fast as they possibly can. AT&T may have just gained a slight lead, telling early pre-order customers they may be receiving their devices as soon as April 25th.

In case you're looking to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T and don't have a pre-order, however, the carrier also tweeted that the 16GB model will be available to purchase on April 27th from its physical retail stores. That's the same day that Sprint will formally offer the Galaxy S4, which will also go on sale at T-Mobile on May 1st. Verizon has a sign-up page for the phone, but hasn't announced a la …

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Samsung Galaxy S4 pre-orders start at T-Mobile on April 24th, tomorrow at Sprint

2013-04-17T09:06:03-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4 colors

T-Mobile has confirmed availability of the Samsung Galaxy S4, opening orders on April 24th for an upfront cost of $149.99 as part of a 24-month plan. The operator ties the handset to its new contractless Simple Choice Plan - which starts at $50 a month - also requiring customers to make 24 monthly payments of $20. As expected, the Galaxy S4 will go on sale in T-Mobile stores on May 1st.

Yesterday, AT&T opened preorders for the Samsung flagship in select areas, becoming the first US carrier to offer the device, pricing the handset at $199.99 on a two-year contract. AT&T says the device will ship by April 30th, hitting mailboxes by May 3rd. S …

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AT&T opens Samsung Galaxy S4 pre-orders, shipping in two weeks

2013-04-16T04:50:26-04:00

Samsung Galaxy S4

AT&T has become the first US carrier to open pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S4, offering the 16GB White Frost or Black Mist variant in select areas for $199.99 on a two-year contract. The carrier says it expects Galaxy S4 orders to ship by April 30th, hitting mailboxes by May 3rd. Currently, only the 16GB model is available to order, suggesting AT&T will slowly open up pre-orders for the 32GB handset in the coming days. However, it comes just as AT&T begins shipping the HTC One, giving HTC a two-week head-start over its larger rival. Currently, AT&T order pages are experiencing some issues, so if you are unable to complete your order, we …

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