Verizon to Launch Samsung Galaxy S4 Earlier Than Expected

Top domestic carrier Verizon (NYSE: VZ  ) Wireless has announced that it will launch Samsung's newest Galaxy S4 slightly earlier than expected. The flagship smartphone will be available on May 23, compared with the previously expected availability date of May 30. After a $50 mail-in rebate, the Galaxy S4 will be priced at $200 on contract.

The news comes after Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S  ) and T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS  ) ran into inventory-related delays last month when launching the device on their respective networks. Verizon is the last of the four major wireless carriers to launch the Galaxy S4, completing Samsung's lineup of the biggest U.S. carriers.

The Galaxy S4 promises to be among the top Android smartphones of 2013 and may put competitive pressure on the rival HTC One.

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