Samsung Galaxy S III pre-orders for U.S. Cellular set to ship this coming week

The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S III is turning out to be a long drawn out affair, but it thankfully appears to be coming to a close. Verizon customers have started receiving their pre-ordered units and the stores will start carrying the model on July 12th. That leaves U.S. Cellular. The regional carrier had previously said that it would fulfill pre-orders in July and would also have the Samsung Galaxy S III in stores sometime this month. A tweet sent out from U.S. Cellular on Sunday says that the carrier will start shipping out pre-orders next week. While not a precise date, it does narrow things down from "sometime in July". Furthermore, the latest speculation has the phone at U.S. Cellular stores starting July 12th. If that date sounds familiar, go back a few sentences because this is the latest expected launch date for Verizon.

Unlike the other carriers, U.S. Cellular is selling the Samsung Galaxy S III with a $100 mail-in-rebate. While the net prices match those asked by AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, you have to lay out some additional cash when ordering the Samsung Galaxy S III from U.S. Cellular. That means the 16GB model would be $299.99 with a signed 2-year pact before the rebate. The 32GB version will be $349.99 on contract prior to the mail-in rebate. The handset will be available in both marble white and pebble blue.

source: USCellular via SlashPhone