AfterDawn: News

Nexus variant of Samsung Galaxy S4 will be U.S.-only

Google has confirmed that its Nexus version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be U.S.-only.

The version comes with a vanilla version of Android 4.2.x, stripping Samsung's user interface and their suite of premium applications.



Available on June 26th, the device is contract-free for $649 supporting T-Mobile and AT&T's LTE networks.

"We've worked closely with Samsung to create a special Samsung Galaxy S4 exclusively for Google Play," Google said at launch. "It brings together cutting edge hardware from Samsung with Google's latest software and services -- including the user experience that ships with our popular Nexus devices."

The device is largely the same in terms of specs, except for running the stock Android OS, the lack of a provider lock and an unlocked bootloader. Google has also promised prompt Android updates in line with the Nexus 4.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 May 2013 20:57

• Previous article

• Sony teases PS4 hardware via video

• Next article

• Yahoo: We will not 'screw up' Tumblr

• 6 comments

• Jemborg

  That sucks... why US only?
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  20.5.2013 22:39 #1

• PraisesToAllah

  This does not make any sense! That's the exact same price as the contract-free price of the phone if you add in the samsung features! In fact, if you buy it straight from AT&T, it is $10 cheaper ($639) and it has free shipping, etc. Why is the Nexus version the same (or more expensive) than the fully featured Samsung one?

  21.5.2013 01:02 #2

• snardos

  Originally posted by PraisesToAllah: This does not make any sense! That's the exact same price as the contract-free price of the phone if you add in the samsung features! In fact, if you buy it straight from AT&T, it is $10 cheaper ($639) and it has free shipping, etc. Why is the Nexus version the same (or more expensive) than the fully featured Samsung one? Some people like myself prefer phones that run vanilla android. I don't need or want touchwiz or any of samsungs other bloatware. The first thing I did when I got my GSII was to root it and flash the most recent CyanogenMod ROM. It acts like vanilla android but it has other added features that are actually useful.
  
  I still wouldn't pay $650 for it though, or any other phone for that matter. Wake me up when it's $250.

  21.5.2013 08:28 #3

• PraisesToAllah

  Originally posted by snardos: Originally posted by PraisesToAllah: This does not make any sense! That's the exact same price as the contract-free price of the phone if you add in the samsung features! In fact, if you buy it straight from AT&T, it is $10 cheaper ($639) and it has free shipping, etc. Why is the Nexus version the same (or more expensive) than the fully featured Samsung one? Some people like myself prefer phones that run vanilla android. I don't need or want touchwiz or any of samsungs other bloatware. The first thing I did when I got my GSII was to root it and flash the most recent CyanogenMod ROM. It acts like vanilla android but it has other added features that are actually useful.
  
  I still wouldn't pay $650 for it though, or any other phone for that matter. Wake me up when it's $250. I also prefer vanilla android ;)
  But all I am saying is that the price does not make sense. You pay more for less.
  

  21.5.2013 09:25 #4

• sammorris

  So much for that plan then. Expensive or otherwise, I much prefer regular android to Touchwiz. Nexus 4 it is I suppose.
  

  
  
  Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
  PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
  updated 19-Jan-13

  21.5.2013 18:14 #5

• leglessoz

  Buy the normal one and root it then flash a stock standard ROM if it's such an issue.

  1.6.2013 12:04 #6