Following up on a previous report earlier this week, the first Samsung Galaxy S III retail units have made their way to select Walmart locations, with the first image of the retail package surfacing and confirming answers to two key questions in which network would be powering the year-old smartphone and whether the device would allow LTE access.
Image via HowardForums
The above image confirms that the Galaxy S III on ST will support LTE access on Sprint’s network, and subsequently will live up to the spirit and the letter of unlimited access, at the expense of coverage. The phone is expected to be launched next week across Walmart locations and online for $439,99. Like the reference models of the S III, the phone features the following key specifications:
A 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD display at 1280×720, 8.0 megapixel camera with Zero Shutter Lag, Burst Shot and Best Photo, 2.0 megapixel front camera, and built-in NFC support. This version has been updated to run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with the latest version of Samsung TouchWiz that reduces the customization level found in previous versions, as well as retaining the rest of the feature set from last year’s flagship. The phone is otherwise identical to all other Galaxy S III models, save for only featuring 16GB internal memory.
With StraightTalk launching the Galaxy S III, albeit powered by Sprint, it does open up possibilities for them to refresh its current Sprint powered lineup with LTE-powered devices that are more up-to-date and more attractive compared to other devices in the lineup. As the agreement with Sprint also specifies unlimited data access, those lucky enough to live in areas with LTE coverage would also be able to take advantage of such coverage for half off of Sprint’s current postpaid rates, even after taking into account Sprint’s own prepaid initiative in Sprint As You Go, which features unlimited data for $70 a month, without the opportunity to purchase a Galaxy S III.
Massively disappointing. Was really looking forward to the Galaxy S3 on Straight Talk. Only Verizon coverage in my area. Now I have to wait for the next good Straight Talk phone running on a real network.
It seems like a poor marketing strategy for ST – Sprint prepaid nonroaming coverage is very spotty.
@ Mike. So would you prefer less prepaid LTE options?
Virgin is known to get lower priority the Sprint customers on their towers. I wonder if that’s extends to ST as well? LTE?
[…] HowardForums via PhoneNews […]
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@Daniel…I haven’t been many places in which Verizon was better or even equal to Sprint. Only in FL, Verizon has the edge. In NC where I live, Verizon is a joke. Can u hear me now…doubt it if it’s Verizon. Traveling to VA and down to FL, Verizon again, is a joke. Sprint works like a charm and very few drop out areas. Verizon…constantly drops out along the I-95 corridor…just saying…
@jason, try coming to the Midwest and using any other network than Verizon. None of the others are worth crap here. Barely coverage at all.