Unlocked Galaxy S8 release date confirmed: Price, carriers, more
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The Galaxy S8 has been available for a few weeks now, but in the US, you can really only get one if you're willing to purchase through a specific carrier. That's all going to change later this month, as Samsung is preparing to roll out carrier unlocked versions of the Galaxy S8 and S8+. When the phone arrives, it'll be available at Best Buy and through Samsung's own online store.
So, what can we expect out of an unlocked Galaxy S8? Samsung says that it'll work on any GSM or CDMA network. In the US, this means that you should be able to use it on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, or US Cellular, along with quite a few other smaller or regional carriers as well. This allows you to buy the phone without committing to a carrier right away, which is good if you're thinking of switching or you want to take advantage of less expensive prepaid plans.
READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy S8 Review
While the freedom to pick your carrier after the fact (and freely switch between them after that) is the major advantage of buying unlocked phones, there's another reason to consider it with the Galaxy S8. As Samsung points out, an unlocked Galaxy S8 or S8+ will come with fewer pre-installed apps, which is helpful for those who would like to save as much storage space as possible.
So, when is this all going down? Samsung gives the unlocked Galaxy S8 and S8+ a May 31 release date. Starting then, you'll be able to pick one up from either Best Buy or Samsung's store for $724.99 if you're buying the standard Galaxy S8 or $824.99 for the Galaxy S8+. Samsung is also offering a 24-month financing option through its website, asking for $30.21/month for the Galaxy S8 and $34.38/month for the Galaxy S8+. It should be noted that these unlocked phones only come in midnight black, leaving the other two colors out of the equation.
The Galaxy S8 has certainly been a successful release for Samsung. Not only did the company report excellent pre-order numbers for the device, but both phones have been well-received by reviewers. If you're looking for an unlocked, top-of-the-line phone, you could certainly do a lot worse, even if buying the Galaxy S8 outright is a little on the expensive side.
The device is available for pre-order today, so check out the source link below to secure one for yourself. Be sure to head down to the comments section and let us know if you plan to pick up an unlocked Galaxy S8.
SOURCE: Samsung