The T-Mobile and Samsung Galaxy S3 mystery seems to have been solved. Gotta Be Mobile, reports having received official confirmation from T-Mobile that they are in the process of replacing their Samsung Galaxy S3 models with Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE. The new device would be able to make the best of the carrier’s new high-speed network.
T-Mobile had let it known they would be launching the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE compatible device and the Galaxy Note 2 sometime later in this year during the CES 2013 event itself. For ensuring that the devices are compliant with their new 4G LTE network, T-Mobile would effect a change in the hardware of the S3, while for the Note 2, a software update is all that would be needed for it to run on 4G LTE network. The update too had been released and while its seems to be all quiet on the Note 2 front, it’s the S3 that has led to quite some confusion. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S3 LTE had also made a brief appearance at the T-Mobile website. It was supposed to be launched only on June 5. The listing however went off shortly thereafter.
A statement by T-Mobile Spokesperson cleared the confusion saying, “the week of May 20th, T-Mobile will begin to replenish its existing Galaxy S III inventory with an updated version of the Smartphone that will be able to access T-Mobile’s new 4G LTE network in the currently available markets.”
T-Mobile also mentioned about the availability of the upgraded Galaxy SIII from their online store as well as some retail locations at a price of $69.99 down payment and then $20 installments for 24 months. However, the spec list at the site does not mention if it’s the LTE capable S3 that is being offered. The site only mentions it as having HSPA+ 42 capabilities.
Also, it seems the S3 is also available from a few retail locations as well though the total retail price of the device might end up being $570, which does not seem to be a very attractive price for a device that’s a generation old. As for the June 5 date that had found mention on its site, that seems to refer to when T-Mobile would have completely replaced all of its older version of the Galaxy S3 with the upgraded and higher network compatible devices.