Straight Talk has quietly launched the Samsung Galaxy S4 for $599.99, with this particular model being powered by T-Mobile’s network, making it the first T-Mobile-powered Android smartphone to be released on Straight Talk. Before the release of this phone, the previously planned and heavily advertised LG G2X was canceled on its release date in March 2012 owing to last-minute disagreements between T-Mobile and Straight Talk. The phone features the following specifications:
- 4G LTE
- 5″ Full HD Super AMOLED™ Screen
- Android™ 4.2
- 1.9 GHz Quad-Core Processor
- 13 MP Camera/2 MP Front Facing Camera/Video Recorder
- Air View™ and Air Gestures™
- Group Play
- Samsung Smart Switch™
- GPS Capabilities
- Samsung TecTiles™ Compatible
- Bluetooth® 4.0 Wireless Technology
- Access to over 1,000,000 Apps and more on Google Play™
- Supports microSD™ Card up to 64GB (not included)
- Internal Memory up to 16GB (device only)
- Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) Rating: M3
- Battery talk time up to 17 hours
- Standby time up to 12 days
- Includes Battery, Charger, Activation Card, Services Guide and Quick Reference Manual.
The inclusion of T-Mobile LTE support is interesting, as Straight Talk T-Mobile BYOD SIM cards currently do not support LTE provisioning and access, the release of the S4 may lead to future access for BYOD customers in markets where T-Mobile’s LTE network is available. The phone is otherwise identical to T-Mobile’s variant, if a bit cheaper. Further cementing the phone’s status as a T-Mobile powered phone, this phone is not available in markets where AT&T, Verizon and/or Sprint are the primary carriers, but is available where multiple carriers are supported such as Dallas/Ft. Worth, New York, Los Angeles and other major markets.
