The first pricing details concerning the Samsung Galaxy S4 have emerged, hinting that Samsung's next smart phone will be cheaper than its Apple-flavoured rival.
Samsung has kicked off a US online giveaway that awards Galaxy S4 smart phones to lucky winners. As GSMArena spied, the competition small print specifies that the phone's 'approximate retail value' as $579.
That translates to roughly £383, but is likely a price before US sales tax is applied. This tax varies a little from state to state, but if you live in New York (for example) the sales tax is 7 per cent, which would leave you with a final price of roughly $620 (£409) for the Galaxy S4.
That compares favourably to the price of Apple's iPhone 5, which costs $649 to buy SIM-free in the US, before those taxes are applied.
We still have no confirmed prices for the Galaxy S4 in the UK, so until local retailers finish number-crunching, it's best to take these figures with a pinch of salt.
While Samsung's hinted price suggests that its new flagship won't be a Nexus 4-grade bargain however, they do suggest it could prove to be less costly than its major rival, the iPhone 5.
Apple's slender metal mobile starts at a wince-inducing £529 to buy SIM-free in the UK, my guess based on typical mobile prices would be that the S4 will eventually cost somewhere between £460-£500 when it hits shop shelves on 26 April.
Meanwhile an Italian Android site has speculated based on purported leaked documentation that the price of the S4 in euros will be about €599 -- a price than translates to roughly £513.
Update: UK retailer unlocked-mobiles.com has kicked off Brit pre-orders for the Galaxy S4, with a high price of £529.98. If you can wait, it's very possible that other retailers' prices will be cheaper as we near the phone's launch date.
How much would you be willing to pay for the Galaxy S4? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
24 month contract
24 month contract
24 month contract
Comments 34
Add your comment
anonymous 18 March, 2013 10:47
$600
anonymous 18 March, 2013 10:54
So much money for a piece of plastic with an HD screen. Absolute rubbish. Nexus flairs much better and is much better value. Also, you only need a phone mostly to make phone calls and send texts, the other features are just gimmicks.
anonymous 18 March, 2013 11:04
Pffft Dude
anonymous 18 March, 2013 11:05
Apple will still win when the iPhone 5GS comes out. Apple's touchscreen phones look unique. Pretty much all the Android phones look the same and the manufacturer's just churn out crap. I don't actually own an iPhone but I happily acknowledge that it is a superior product.
anonymous 18 March, 2013 11:17
Still win? win what? Haha if the iPhone is so good, why dont you own one? And if you dont own one how can you comment about how superiour it is?
anonymous 18 March, 2013 12:29
Apple isn't winning. Look at the market share. Android has something like 70%. And manufacturers churn out crap? Uhm... have you seen the GS4's specs? And about your "Pretty much all Android phones look the same" Well let's see... iPhone 1 and 2 looked the same, 3 and 3gs looked the same, 4, 4gs, 5 and the 5gs LOOK THE FU**ING SAME. With android you can have any form factor- slide out, slate, phablet, hell- I've even seen a flip phone with android on it.
So seriously, before you just spew out bullsh*t, why don't you check your facts *cough* opinions *cough* first?
anonymous 18 March, 2013 12:39
I've owned a dirt cheap Android (2.1 OS) and it was worthless even as a phone. I upgraded to the iPhone 4S. Amazing phone! However, at my new job I have been working on Android programming and I have a few tablets running 4.1+ and the improvements that Android has made in such a short period of time (2 years) is incredible and Apple may want to watch their back. I know I'll be switching to the SGS4.
anonymous 18 March, 2013 12:39
"I don't actually own an iPhone but I happily acknowledge that it is a superior product."
if we were on facebook i'll bet your post would have said 'sent from iphone 5'
yeoman 18 March, 2013 12:52
Why would you pay that much for a pho e when you could go and get a nice lap top
techymoon 18 March, 2013 13:01
Think I'll wait for the Nexus 5 to replace my Nexus 4
anonymous 18 March, 2013 13:01
SIM-free price is irrelevant - if you want SIM-free get a Nexus 4, as I did. Most people buy on contract so the question is how much per month will they be expected to pay, and how does that compare with an iPhone5?
anonymous 18 March, 2013 13:01
SIM-free price is irrelevant - if you want SIM-free get a Nexus 4, as I did. Most people buy on contract so the question is how much per month will they be expected to pay, and how does that compare with an iPhone5?
anonymous 18 March, 2013 13:02
SIM-free price is irrelevant - if you want SIM-free get a Nexus 4, as I did. Most people buy on contract so the question is how much per month will they be expected to pay, and how does that compare with an iPhone5?
Gibbo76 18 March, 2013 13:08
The price is only wince inducing if you can't afford it. Personally I can. I like premium aluminium devices and not these cheap plastic horrible, a horrible tactile experience to my mind. To each their own though.
anonymous 18 March, 2013 14:21
After having terrible after sales support for the S3 that both me and girlfriend had I wouldn't touch a Samsung now. Shame because I used to love them
anonymous 18 March, 2013 14:31
anonymous 18 March, 2013 11:05
Have you seen the HTC One? Enough said.
techymoon 18 March, 2013 14:44
I thought he had one, the way he was ranting lol
Norm Harding 18 March, 2013 14:58
It cracks me up how some think that Apple is still winning! Silly Lemmings. Honestly, while Apple has some good things, who helped get them there? Samsung. Who built their CPUs? Samsung. Lol Apple Lemmings! You are too funny!
anonymous 18 March, 2013 15:17
It's not rocket science. It will be £499.
anonymous 18 March, 2013 15:23
anonymous 18 March, 2013 11:05
Apple will still win when the iPhone 5GS comes out. Apple's touchscreen phones look unique. Pretty much all the Android phones look the same and the manufacturer's just churn out crap. I don't actually own an iPhone but I happily acknowledge that it is a superior product.
In regards to the above comment Samsung designed apples software!
Damien2501 18 March, 2013 15:29
The Galaxy S4 has a more powerful processor, more PPI, NFC, removable battery, SD slot and more features than the iPhone 5 & Nexus 4. It also works on all UK 4G bands, whereas only certain models of the iPhone 5 work on specific 4G bands. Nexus 4, no 4G. if it does cost the amounts stated in the article – sounds like a bargain to me.
iOSvsAndroid2013 18 March, 2013 15:46
I wouldn't pay more than $500 US dollars because more than likely the resale value of the phone will be similar to the GS3. In the US the unactivated price of the GS3 at launch and until now is between $699.99 to $799.99 depending on the carrier but if you buy it and want to trade it or sell at a retailer, the value drops to $199.99 - $225.99 also depending where you go. Now, to all the Apple haters, here's something interesting to know. The unactivated price of an iPhone 5 is around $649.99 and its resale value is around $350 - $400. Now why do you think that is? And I own both a Galaxy S3 and an iPhone 5 both on AT&T.
techymoon 18 March, 2013 15:48
I wouldn't knock the Nexus 4, if it wasn't for this phone you would be expecting to pay £600+ and that goes for a new iphone as well. it's pegging prices for now!
anonymous 18 March, 2013 17:02
Galaxy s 4 makes the i phone 5 look like a toy. Apple will probably change the colour and call it the 5 s and screw some more money out of their loyal fanboys. I have used an i phone 5 and it just feels rediculous after using my galaxy note 2. Apple are the ones trying to play catch up ( and not doing a very good job)
anonymous 18 March, 2013 17:43
I think people are missing the point, the reason we laugh at the iPhone, is because it packs half the technology and charges a hefty premium for it. Even with the aluminium it's too expensive.
KashAli 18 March, 2013 18:14
Samsung is very clever they are taking time for release of S4 so in meantime they can make money from S3 by lowering its price. By releasing stupid colour option :@ can't wait for S4 to come out already needing it badly its maps to take me to college for interview in may. Bye Apple you are too greedy always busy counting money instead of specs/features on your next phone too greedy. Always "twice as fast" the game is over now!
anonymous 18 March, 2013 19:31
@ anonymous 18 March, 2013 11:05
"I don't actually own an iPhone but" - Lol probably because they are so expensive. If you want an indication that the iPhone 5 is overrated and overpriced have a look on eBay. You can pick a NEW one up for about £100 less than its RRP. I know eBay is usually cheaper but I've never seen the latest iPhone sold at such a steep discount before. The demand for this product probably just isn't there.
anonymous 18 March, 2013 22:18
Deary me.... when the teasers for Iphone5 started, everyone hoped for something really good...
Even an apple hater like me said they WOULD get one, if it got these dream features... :)
BUT what the hell is WRONG at apple???????
Surely the amount of cash it has, its big market position, would allow it to deliver???
The dreamed of bigger screen, to display your HD movies in all their glory, turned out as a strange 1136 x 640, not the 1280 x 720 standard????
You think they may have splashed out on a better camera than the boring old 8MP at least... :(
faster CPU??? 0.2 is not much of an increase!!! :(
hey, guess what new phone has all that, and a lovely 13MP cam????
anonymous 18 March, 2013 22:40
apple is like dead apple. i mean apple is not fresh.
anonymous 19 March, 2013 01:22
I do agree that the iPhone is a great phone, however, Apple keeps limiting their product to corporate advantage, while Samsung allows anybody to own their technology, how so? Well, unless you are a geek, the only way to get an iPhone that is unlocked to perform 100% is to get it from a cell-phone provider i.e: At&t, Verizon, Sprint......if you get an iPhone unlocked and want to use it with any other provider, you are screwed, your iPhone will not function properly 80% of the times, but with a Samsung, it does not matter how or who you get your device from, or on what network you use it, the device will work 100% great on any network
anonymous 19 March, 2013 11:04
I do agree that the iPhone is a great phone, however, Apple keeps limiting their product to corporate advantage, while Samsung allows anybody to own their technology, how so? Well, unless you are a geek, the only way to get an iPhone that is unlocked to perform 100% is to get it from a cell-phone provider i.e: At&t, Verizon, Sprint......if you get an iPhone unlocked and want to use it with any other provider, you are screwed, your iPhone will not function properly 80% of the times, but with a Samsung, it does not matter how or who you get your device from, or on what network you use it, the device will work 100% great on any network
anonymous 20 March, 2013 08:13
Its good!,cause it really cheaper than the Iphone 5. Once its out in the market im sure it will beat the sales of the Iphone5. I wanted to buy one, so excited. Love this blog too http://www.oneclickroot.com/android-smartphones/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-samsung-galaxy-s4/
anonymous 20 March, 2013 22:19
So i'm getting a new phone I can't choose between Samsung galaxy s4 and iPhone5/6 new phones just keep coming out it's just too confusing I can't choose I mainly use out for apps and texting and calls.
anonymous 22 March, 2013 18:20
Samsung s4 is a rubish ,whoever uses it is also rubish.................................