While fans of Samsung await the launch of its latest Android-powered flagship smartphone for 2013, the Galaxy S4, carrier Verizon has dropped the price of the older Galaxy S3 to just $99. The unprecedented move by Verizon to slash the Galaxy S3 price has sparked speculation that the carrier is gearing up to launch the Galaxy S4 very soon.
Verizon is now retailing the Galaxy S3 for $99 on a two-year contract. The smartphone is available in black, white and blue on the carrier.
The follow-up to the best-selling Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, is scheduled to hit the U.S. shelves by the end of April. Even though Verizon is yet to confirm that it will be retailing the Galaxy S4, the drop in Galaxy S3 prices hints that the carrier may be looking to get rid of older inventory before offering the newer version.
It is common practice for carriers and retailers to drop the prices of older devices before the launch of the newer product.
"With the Samsung Galaxy S4 arriving towards the end of the month, Verizon has gone ahead and slashed the price of the Galaxy S3 to $99 on contract, likely in an attempt to move left-over stock. While Big Red has yet to even acknowledge the fact that the Galaxy S4 exists or that they will carry it, price cuts on previous year models are almost always a good sign," notes a Droid-Life report.
Recently, AT&T too reduced the price of its variant of the Galaxy S3 by $100 and is now offering the smartphone for $99 on a new two-year contract.
Even though Verizon has not officially confirmed its Galaxy S4, the carrier's variant of the smartphone was spotted making its way through the FCC, suggesting that the phone would be launched on the carrier in the near term.
Judging by the past, it is quite normal for Verizon to keep its customers waiting and the carrier takes its time when it comes to announcements.
The Galaxy S4 is expected to hit the U.S. shelves in the coming weeks. Six major U.S. carriers are slated to offer the smartphone, with T-Mobile, AT&T and U.S. Cellular already announcing the availability details.
