Samsung to offer Galaxy S III Developer Edition for Verizon

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Certain customers hoping to get their hands on the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy S III weren't happen to hear that the handset would feature a protected bootloader, especially when variants on other carriers didn't have the same "feature." Samsung's solution is to offer a developer edition of the phone for those who want full access, although it'll only be available at an unsubsidized price of $599.

It's a little disappointing considering Galaxy S III models available from other carriers have an open bootloader, but at least Samsung is offering a solution for Verizon customers that really want it. Motorola followed a similar plan in Europe, offering a developer edition of the Motorola RAZR while the standard retail model shipped with a locked and protected bootloader.

Samsung has also posted a Q&A regarding the developer edition of the Galaxy S III. The main points to take away are that Samsung will sell the developer edition directly through its website for the full retail price, and that if you manage to brick the phone as a result of tinkering with custom ROMs, you won't be covered by the standard warranty. The phone doesn't seem to be available just yet, but keep checking developers.samsung.com if you absolutely need full control over your phone.

[via Android Central]