Galaxy S4 'Google Edition' to be U.S.-only at launch

[V-Tech]

The Nexus experience device won't be available outside the US at launch, sources tell CNET

It appears that folks around the world are going to have to wait to not order their very own Google Edition Samsung Galaxy S4, as CNET says Google has confirmed the launch to be US-only. The device, which was unveiled during the Google I/O 2013 keynote presentation, is the same Galaxy S4 you all know and love, but without Samsung's Touchwiz software -- or it's features. Instead the device has the same "Nexus user experience" that Google's own Nexus 4 delivers. The version shown at the I/O keynote will be penta-band HSPA+ and LTE, and will be completely compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.

It was a bold, if strange, move by the two companies, and nobody is quite sure why either side wanted it to happen. Around these parts, we still think you're better served buying the "non-Google" version and doing a little software hackery if you just have to have Google Android instead of Samsung Android, allowing for an easy path back should you want or need all the features the hardware can deliver.

There was no word on when to expect the device to be sold in other countries, but we imagine Samsung and Google wants to make it available and will work out the logistics and details as fast as they can.

http://www.androidcentral.com/galaxy-s4-google-edition-be-us-only-launch

[+virtorio MVC]

Of course it is.

[McKay]

Why do these companies shoot themselves in the foot like this?

[djdanster]

Why haven't we got over this fake national border of exclusivities with media and devices now?

[siah1214]

Google pulls a Microsoft eh?

[fusi0n]

I'm still excited :)

They do this because of the LTE Radio. They didn't want to make two different versions.

[Aasum]

Is this going to be in the Nexus price range($300-$400) or the normal S4 range?

[djdanster]

I'm still excited :)

They do this because of the LTE Radio. They didn't want to make two different versions.

If that was the case, they could have still released it in Europe. The S4 sells on contract by default with the LTE version.

[Praetor]

odd move by both companies. :huh:

[Chris123NT]

Why is there no CDMA version? :(

I'd be all over this if there was.

[V-Tech]

Is this going to be in the Nexus price range($300-$400) or the normal S4 range?

They said it's going to cost $649.