Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S4 have opened in the UK today, ensuring that Android enthusiasts will have the new device when it launches on April 26.
With so many different network operators and online retailers selling the handset though, we thought it would be useful to draw up a breakdown of all the best prices.
Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse has Samsung’s new flagship Android device splashed across the front page of its website, and with good reason. The Samsung Galaxy SIII was an incredibly popular handset, and this incremental upgrade will be no exception.
The SIM free version will set you back an eye-watering £629.95, which feels pretty steep compared to the 16GB iPhone 5, currently priced at £529.00 from the Apple store.
It’s possible to pick up both the ‘Black Mist’ and ‘White Frost’ model for free, however, on a two-year, £41 per month contract supplied by Orange or T-Mobile. A two-year, £32 per month contract from O2 is also available, but you’ll be asked to pay £99.99 for the handset upfront.
Amazon
A quick check on the almighty Amazon paints a similar picture. Both color variants are being sold online, SIM free at above the £600 mark.
The ‘Black Mist’ version has been set at £629.95, while the ‘White Frost’ alternative is available for £699.00. Why there is a difference in price is beyond me, but if you’re dead set on owning a white smartphone, expect to pay a premium.
Unlocked Mobiles
This is by far the cheapest SIM free price that we’ve found on the Internet. £529.98 for either the Black Mist or White Frost model. Can’t say fairer than that.
Phones 4U
Head over to the Phones 4U website and you’ll notice that the device isn’t being sold SIM free. That’s a shame for anyone already on a contract, or hoping to use the Samsung Galaxy S4 as a secondary device, but it’s possible that the mobile phone retailer will add this option closer to launch.
For now, you can pre-order the device free of charge on a two-year, £41 per month contract supplied by EE or Orange. That amount can be reduced to £36, however, if you’re happy to pay £49.00 upfront for the handset.
EE
EE is the only network operator in the UK offering 4G connectivity. That will change later in the year, but if you’re keen to take advantage of the Samsung Galaxy S4’s LTE capabilities, this is the only option.
Pre-orders for the device start at £19.99, although you’ll be locked in to a £56 per month contract over two years. It includes 8GB of data, although that can be increased to 20GB if you’re prepared to pay £76 every four weeks.
The cheapest price plan is £31 per month, which will set you back £269.99 for the handset. It only comes with 500MB of data though; pretty restrictive for those looking to really take advantage of the 4G network.
Vodafone
The British multinational telecoms company has also jumped in today with pre-orders starting at £37 per month. The handset is priced at £69.00, with 1GB of Internet, unlimited calls and texts.
You won’t be able to access a 4G network – at least for now – but it does offer a less restrictive data allowance. It’s also possible to pick up the device for free on a two-year, £42 per month contract, with 2GB of data. That rises to £47 per month though if you’d prefer to double that cap to 4GB.
Three
Mobile Internet specialists Three is offering only two pre-order contracts today, but they’re both pretty competitive compared to the competition.
You can reserve the device for free, provided you agree to a £35 per month contract with unlimited data, 500 minutes and 5,000 texts. Upping that to £37 per month will give you 2,000 minutes and 5,000 Three-to-Three minutes, however.
02
02 is also offering the Samsung Galaxy S4 for free, but only on a £47 per month contract. The lowest monthly price on offer is £32 per month with 1GB of data, but you’ll need to pay an upfront cost of £179.99 for the privilege.
Virgin Media
The network operator owned by Richard Branson only has a registration form for e-mail alerts, but we’ll keep you posted when this changes.
Spotted a good pre-order deal that we missed today? Let us know in the comments section below.
Image Credit: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.