Samsung Galaxy S4 Ultrafast Ready- is it for you ?
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The Samsung Galaxy S4 will work on all three types of mobile network in the UK. These are standard 3G, Ultrafast and 4G ( LTE ).
The Samsung Galaxy S4 itself is identical whichever mobile operator or type of network you choose. The only real difference is the download speed you get on the different networks and how each operator sets up the S4's software - so it functions correctly.
Samsung Galaxy S4 – what download speeds apply ?
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available on standard 3G on all the main mobile networks by the end of April. The download speeds you can expect on 3G are normally around 2 to 5 megabytes per second. So to download a 1 gigabyte video will take around 4.5 minutes .
If you are looking for the Samsung Galaxy S4 on 4G then the only choice, at this moment in time, is to head over to EE – as they are the only mobile operator offering 4G until later this year. Download speeds on 4G are normally around 8 to 14 megabytes per second. The same 1 gigabyte video will take around 1.7 minutes to download which is significantly faster than standard 3G.
Another option is with mobile operator Three who has upgraded its mobile network to Ultrafast. Ultrafast is the “brand name” Three has given the upgrade. Basically, Three has upgraded its standard 3G network to “dual-channel” which nearly doubles the download speed. Ultrafast offers download speeds of around 6 to 9 megabytes per second so the same 1 gigabyte video will take around 2.2 minutes to download.
Samsung Galaxy S4 – the costs
We are all familiar with the download speeds and performance of the standard 3G mobile network, although we think the majority of people would probably prefer the quicker option of either 4G or Ultrafast these days. Pricing has not yet been released for the S4 but by comparing the prices of the Samsung Galaxy S3 ( 4G LTE version ) and the Galaxy S3 ( Ultrafast version ) you can see how things may pan out when it comes to the S4 pricing.
The lowest deal with EE for a Samsung Galaxy 3 LTE ( 4G ) comes in at a device cost of £50 and a monthly cost of £36 per month. This comes with a paltry 500MB of data which will be used up in no time.
The lowest deal with Three for a Samsung Galaxy S3 on Ultrafast comes in at a device cost of £29 and a monthly cost of £34 per month. Other than download speed, the other main difference between the two boils down to mobile data usage. On Three you get “all you can eat data” which means unlimited mobile data downloads.
Mobile operator Three has also confirmed that all Ultrafast customers will be switched to 4G once its 4G mobile network is launched - at no extra cost.
Samsung Galaxy S4 – our choice is Ultrafast
Once youv'e decided to go for a Samsung Galaxy S4 you may stay with your existing operator or select a new operator. The most attractive option at this moment in time may well be the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Ultrafast.
This is because its a shade cheaper, offers unlimited mobile data and Three will later transfer you to 4G at no extra costs. More on Ultrafast can be seen in the video below.
Samsung Galaxy S4 – coming soon
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available to pre-order in the last week of March and will be in shops to buy in the last week of April. 3G are sourcing an S4 for our Samsung Galaxy S4 Review which will be posted as soon as humanly possible.
By Kevin Thomas on 20th March, 2013