Galaxy S4 Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Cricket Wireless, C Spire Plans Comparison on 7 Carriers

Samsung’s latest smartphone Galaxy S4 is geared up to render the Galaxy S range of products iconic. The launch of the much anticipated smartphone across seven cellular networks began in April and continues through May 2013.

Samsung fans looking to buy a Galaxy S4 have enough choices with respect to carriers and plans, but some study is needed to grab the right carrier. Samsung says that the phone is “optimized for powerful performance,” on the fastest networks namely, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular, Cricket, and C Spire. AT&T and Sprint are the first to start offering it. The major carriers – AT&T, Sprint and Verizon – will undoubtedly offer broader LTE coverage resulting in higher data speeds.

AT&T, which launched the phone on April 27^th, offers the 16 GB model for $199.99 and the 32 GB model for $249.99, on a 2-year contract with suitable voice and data plans. If you are looking for a 1-year plan, AT&T offers different voice and data plans for a cost of $449.99. There is monthly plan for the 16 GB version for $639.99. The carrier’s Mobile Share Plan involves a 2-yar contract starting at $85 per month for unlimited talk time and SMS, and 1 GB data.

Verizon Wireless is releasing the Galaxy S4 on May 30^th and is taking pre-orders for $249 with a $50 refund for the 16 GB version. Its Share Everything Plan involves a 2-year contract starting at $80 per month for unlimited talk time and 300 MB data.

Sprint released the device on April 27^th taking pre-order for $249 upfront with a $50 refund for the 16 GB version. It offers a $100 discount if you switch your number to Sprint from another carrier. Its service plans start at $79.99 per month for a 2-year contract. The plan includes 450 minutes talk time, unlimited text and data.

T-Mobile offers the 16 GB version of Galaxy S4 for $149.99 with a down payment of $20 per month for 2 years, plus the cost of your monthly carrier plan.  It offers a Simple Choice Plan, with no long-term contract, starting at $50 per month for unlimited talk time, SMS, and 500 MB data usage. Its online store released the device on April 29^th, while offline retail outlets are launching it between May 8^th and 15^th.

U.S. Cellular launched the 16 GB Galaxy S4 model online on April 26^th and at retail stores on April 30^th. It offers the device for a price of $199.99 on a 2-year contract, starting at $59.99 per month for 450 minutes talk time and 300 MB data. The plan does not include Mobile hotspot. The handset is being shipped with a free view flip cover model worth $59.99.

Cricket has yet to announce the date of availability of the device. It offers a Smart LTE Plan with no long-term contract, starting at $50 per month for unlimited talk time and SMS, and 1 GB data.

C Spire expects to release the device this summer. It offers a 2-year contract starting at $60 per month for 500 minutes talk time, unlimited text and data. The plan does not include Mobile hotspot.

The mega launch of Galaxy S4 across several carriers in various retail locations is enabling consumers to spot the device easily instead of looking through a line of similar devices. According to Samsung, the Galaxy S smartphone range has achieved remarkable success, with 100 million units sold across the world, in less than 3 years.  Indeed, the iconic Galaxy S4 has the potential to place Samsung on the same footing as Apple!