The Samsung Galaxy S4 has now been priced on SIM free whilst we predict the contract pricing and data tariffs.
We are all waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S4 to go to pre-order because at that point the pricing and tariff costs will go "live". So far we know that all the UK mobile operators have put a pre-registration page "live" but this is simply to register your interest as opposed to being able to pre-order the Galaxy S4 with a confirmed delivery date and pricing.
The delivery date for anyone pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy S4 has been confirmed 100% as the 26th April. The earliest date for pre-ordering the Galaxy S4 is rumoured to be this week, with on-line rumours saying Thursday 28th. All we know for definite is that you will be able to pre-order the S4 this week.
One retailer which specialises in SIM free has confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will cost £530 and if you order from them ( Unlocked Mobiles ) you get next day delivery. Its predecessor, the S3 cost £499 SIM free when it launched back in May, 2012, so the pricing seems to align. In addition, when you compare this to the SIM free pricing of comparable smartphones it slots in nicely. ( Xperia Z costs £520, iPhone 5 costs £529, HTC One est. to cost £529 ).
Contract pricing is completely unknown at this time, so 3G will calculate them based on our industry knowledge and past experiences. We are going to look at two operators – one which sells the Samsung Galaxy S4 exclusively on 4G and the other which sells the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Ultrafast.
Galaxy S4 on 4G
EE will be the only mobile operator able to sell you a Samsung Galaxy S4 on 4G – because they are the only operator to have launched 4G so far.
EE is forecast to offer the Samsung Galaxy S4 16GB version with an upfront cost of £145 and £36 per month on the lowest 500MB tariff. We forecast that the same S4 will come with an upfront cost of £55 and £46 per month on the 3GB tariff. A 2 year contract will apply.
Galaxy S4 on Ultrafast
Three is the only mobile operator able to sell you a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Ultrafast – because that is their brand name of course.
Three is forecast to offer the Samsung Galaxy S4 16GB version with an upfront cost of £75 and £34 per month on the lowest tariff – this comes with unlimited mobile data. A 2 year contract will apply.
Samsung Galaxy S4 – Best Likely Buy
Having been in the mobile phone industry for many years and having seen hundreds of phone launches I am hoping the pricing structure quoted above is spot on or near. The best buy for me would be the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Three with unlimited Ultrafast mobile data.
The Galaxy S4 on Three would win because I predict it will cost less in up-front costs by up to £70, by up to £12 a month less ( against the EE 3GB tariff ) over a 24 month contract. You also have the reassurance of surfing to your hearts content with no fear of being charged extra for breaking through your data allowance barrier or having to pay extra for data add-ons.
If that's not enough, Three previously confirmed it will switch all Ultrafast customers to 4G at no extra cost later in the year.
