Galaxy S4 preorders open, carrier availability and pricing revealed

With more than a month having passed since the Galaxy S4's grand unveiling, Samsung and its partners are gearing up for the device's availability next week by sharing launch information for the US. By the end of next month, the Galaxy S3's successor should be available through all four major US carriers – AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile – as well as smaller outfits including US Cellular, Cricket and C Spire.

In addition to being peddled through cellular providers, Samsung's latest flagship smartphone will hit shelves at major retail locations including Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile, Costco, Radio Shack, Walmart, Sam's Club, Staples, and Target. If you're desperate enough to fondle the device, you probably don't care where you buy it, but it's worth noting that availability and pricing will vary between locations.

AT&T, for instance, has already begun taking preorders for a 16GB model, which is going for $200 if you'll sign up for a two-year contract or $640 if you won't and will begin shipping to customers on April 30. Sprint, conversely, won't kick off its S4 preorders until tomorrow and it's going to charge $250 with a contract, though you can chop that down to $150 if you're willing to switch your number to the carrier.

Further down the line, T-Mobile will start letting people buy the handset next Wednesday, April 24 and it'll ship to eager souls on May 1. In keeping with its recent "uncarrier" initiative, T-Mobile will only charge $150 upfront with no service commitments, but you'll have to pay $20 a month for 24 months or a total of $630 to cover the cost of the phone – an attractive option if you don't want to be tied down.

We haven't seen any announcements about Verizon's launch plans, though a purportedly leaked Staples memo suggests that the carrier is planning on a May 30 release. Similarly, Cricket and C Spire haven't shared much yet, while US Cellular plans to sell the device for $200 on contract and $750 unsubsidized. Preorders will ship four weeks from being placed and include a free S View flip cover.