Samsung Galaxy S III to cost $600 on Verizon at full retail price

UPDATE: If you preorder the Galaxy S III now, Verizon will still keep your grandfathered unlimited, so hurry up before the gates eventually close with an announcement of new data plans.

Samsung introduced uniform design and pricing for its flagship Android phone this year in the US, so each of the major carriers will be selling it at $200 for the 16GB version, and $250 for the 32-gigger.

What we didn't know, however, is the unsubsidized price the handset will go for, and with Verizon that is pretty important, because the carrier might only allow you to keep your grandfathered unlimited data plan if you pay full retail for a new handset, once the new plans become official. Different rumors say the Samsung Galaxy S III will launch on Verizon July 5, 6 or 9, but the preorders start today for sure.

Leaked Verizon docs peg the full price for the handset at $599.99 for the 16GB version, and $649.99 for the 32GB one, in line with expectations. Granted, this is still a lot more than the average US subscriber is used to paying for even the best cell phone, but that could be the price to pay for unlimited data pretty soon, and, on the plus side, you get to use it with vengeance.

via AndroidGuys

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posted on 06 Jun 2012, 03:14

1. AndroidShiz (Posts: 154; Member since: 08 Nov 2011)

I'd pay it since I usually buy off contract anyways. With a $50 price difference for 32 vs 16, seems like a waste of resources to produce two different memory sizes. It's borderline idiotic. Why not just make it like the Galaxy Nexus for Verizon. I have the GSM GNex, and I hate that it was made with 16gb only. Sucks since I want to load wayyyyy more music than Im allotted memory wise.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 16:27

11. DigitalBoy05 (Posts: 234; Member since: 04 Jun 2011)

if you have unlimited data try out Google Music. I have the 32GB nexus but i have all my music in the cloud. streams fast and with excellent quality. stores 20,000 songs for free.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 03:21

2. dvsmik3 (Posts: 17; Member since: 05 Apr 2012)

Cheap shot Daniel P. I was shocked when I read your title since it falsely insinuates that Verizon has confirmed that they will not be offering subsidized phone prices for those who have unlimited data AND want the Galaxy s3. You scared the crap out of me. Cheap shot sir, cheap shot.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 06:11

3. savaytse66 (Posts: 3; Member since: 06 Jun 2012)

I just pre-ordered the 32GB version through Verizon's website, and I was able to keep my $29.99 monthly "Unlimited Email & Web for Smartphones". I was informed that I would need an upgraded sim since my current device is 3G only, but otherwise, all of my features remained the same.

Also, the pre-order page confirmed that the phone would ship BY July 9, so maybe there's hope it will ship sooner.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 06:41 1

4. TaxiDriver (Posts: 2; Member since: 05 Jun 2012)

I pre-ordered at the discounted price as well keeping my unlimited data. I knew the opportunity wasn't going to be here for much longer, but I'm still grandfathered.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 06:51

5. savaytse66 (Posts: 3; Member since: 06 Jun 2012)

I should note that my pre-order was also at the subsidized price, and I kept my unlimited data. In addition to a screen shot, I also had it confirmed by email. I hope that this holds true for everyone!

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 07:11

6. dcgore (Posts: 231; Member since: 24 Feb 2012)

Verizon: The carrier of the 1 percenters...geez.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 09:30

7. McLTE (Posts: 922; Member since: 18 Oct 2011)

it looks like from here on out all my upgrades are going to occur on the other 4 lines on my account, then switching the phone to mine.

I haven't done the math, but it may also end up being cheaper to just open another line to get the new phone, then switch it to your line.. pay the 13 bucks a month and close that line at the end of the 2 yrs.. and do it again. It should amount to roughly 500 if the phone price is 199.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 09:51

8. oakparkplastics (Posts: 10; Member since: 04 Jun 2012)

Just pre-ordered the SIII myself here. I really wasn't up for adding 2 years to my contract, but VZW has served me well (pretty pleased with my ability to carry on a voice call and not have to suffer with dropped calls over long Chicago commutes). My unlimited 3G will now be unlimited 4G until they change their policies on us. In the meantime, let the downloading & streaming begin!

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 13:50

9. android1234 (Posts: 167; Member since: 09 Feb 2010)

Damn I have the Galaxy Nexus, and have an upgrade. Do not want to use it on S3 since the galaxy nexus is on par. Does that.mean I'll lose my unlimited if I upgrade after?

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 14:00 1

10. KingKurogiii (Posts: 5713; Member since: 23 Oct 2011)

that's not bad for a retail price point for such a high end phone and of course you can keep your unlimited data if you buy full retail, you're just buying a phone, if Verizon changes anything just for doing that they're going out of their contractual bounds.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 16:30

12. DigitalBoy05 (Posts: 234; Member since: 04 Jun 2011)

i expected it to be around 650 or 700 based on what some of the past top tier phones have been. plus if you do some research you can buy from non direct warehouses that will sell it closer to wholesale price.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 17:40

13. JunitoNH (Posts: 1934; Member since: 15 Feb 2012)

Only advantage of purchasing phone outright are, preserving your data plan, and not getting locked in a two year contract. Other than that, there is really no benefits, at least with Verizon. Plan prices for subsidized and nonsubsidized phones remain the same.

posted on 06 Jun 2012, 19:12 1

14. itzmando (Posts: 115; Member since: 17 Oct 2011)

From what I've gone through I may need buy my phone at retail cost directly from VzW or VZW approved 3rd party seller to keep my phones insured and keep my Unlmtd plan.

When my sister lost her brand new phone a few days after Xmas we tried to buy a white brand new one that was activated already due to adding a line and then cancelling it. Trying to avoid a refurbished one but VZW said you can activate the phone to her line but it couldn't be insured unless you bought it at retail price from VZW.

With my family we like to have that security which the insurance has come in handy for myself and my mom. I only speak for myself so not sure if you all bother to pay for insurance.

posted on 07 Jun 2012, 02:41

15. kealii987 (Posts: 5; Member since: 07 Jun 2012)

Okay well I don't know if I'm special or s;;omething but when I upgraded I could keep my unlimited plan AND paid only $273 for a 16GB S3!! I'm thinking since I was able to upgrade it didn't cost more but besides that I'm not sure BUT I'm happy I pre ordered my new phone:)

posted on 10 Jun 2012, 09:51

16. laheelahee (Posts: 213; Member since: 09 Apr 2012)

still have a few months until my upgrade.... so it says i have to buy at full price

posted on 12 Jun 2012, 14:15

17. kealii987 (Posts: 5; Member since: 07 Jun 2012)

But its weird that I could still keep my unlimited plan AND only pay $200... I mean is an upgrade that important that it let's me keep everything