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AT&T's high-quality LTE calls arrive on May 23rd, but only on one phone
Right in sync with rumors, AT&T has launched its high-quality LTE voice calling in a handful of places across the US. If you live in the right parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minneapolis and Wisconsin, you'll get pristine-sounding phone conversations starting on May 23rd. There's no public roadmap for other regions, but AT&T is promising news on a "market-to-market" basis. Just don't expect a wide selection of phones at first. The only phone that will support voice over LTE from day one is the fairly ho-hum Galaxy S4 Mini -- if you just bought a Galaxy S5 or some other hot new device, you'll still have to wait patiently for word of an update. Many smartphones are capable of handling the technology, however, so don't be surprised if your next heart-to-heart chat sounds much clearer than usual. [Image credit: Getty Images]
Sprint launches WiFi calling, but only on two Samsung phones for now
We heard rumors that Sprint was going to take a cue from T-Mobile and launch its own WiFi calling service. Well, it looks like those earlier reports were spot-on: Sprint today announced WiFi calling for select Android phones, allowing customers to call and text over a local wireless network as a way of avoiding overage charges. The only catch: when we say "select Android phones" we really do mean select. For now, the service will only work on the Samsung Galaxy Mega and the Galaxy S4 Mini. If you're lucky enough to own one of those devices, you'll be able to use the service for free following an over-the-air update, which should arrive sometime in the coming weeks. (Note: domestic calls and texts are free, but there's still a fee for international calls.) And if you don't own one of those phones? There may be hope yet: Sprint says it will expand the service to additional devices throughout 2014.
Sprint might launch free WiFi calling for select Android devices
Upgrading your plan may be a good way to avoid overage charges, but Sprint might have another option: WiFi calling. According to documents obtained by Android Central, the carrier is poised to give select Android phones the ability to call and text over a local connection, similar to T-Mobile's service. The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Mega are reportedly the first handsets that will have access to the service, but it'll also be available to future devices running Android 4.2 or higher. It does have limitations, though, and will only work if you're already within the confines of the network's CDMA signal. We've reached out to Sprint for confirmation (and more info), and we'll update you when we hear back.
Sprint introduces Spark enhanced LTE, promises unprecedented speed, futuristic app support
Sprint may have lost 360,000 customers over the last quarter, but it's looking to stem that tide with the introduction of Sprint Spark, an enhanced LTE service it says will deliver "unprecedented speeds" to its cellphone users. The company demoed the service running at 1Gbps this morning, however, customers can expect "50-60 Megabits per second (Mbps) peak speeds today with increasing speed potential over time." Sprint says the service will not only enhance video and bandwidth-hogging apps, but says it's ready to take on virtual reality and "futuristic apps" -- whatever those might be. Spark is dependent on tri-band wireless devices, which are intended to seamlessly switch between Sprint's 800MHz, 1.9GHz and 2.5GHz cellular bands, depending on your location and which apps you're using. The rollout begins today with limited availability in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tampa and Miami, though Sprint promises to extend that service to 100 US cities by 2016. The first Spark-supported phones, Samsung's Galaxy Mega and Galaxy S 4 mini and LG's G2, will be available on Sprint's network on November 8th. Software updates for Samsungs' handsets will enable tri-band "shortly after launch," with a similar update scheduled for early 2014 for the G2. The HTC One Max will also support Spark, but Sprint has yet to announce availability. Update: This post originally listed tri-band support for all Spark-enabled handsets as November 8th.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini coming to four US carriers in November
Americans who've wanted Samsung's Galaxy S4 Mini no longer have to find an importer -- the company now says that its mid-range smartphone will reach AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular and Verizon in November. The 4.3-inch handset will largely go unchanged for its stateside debut, although Samsung is doubling the built-in storage to a much healthier 16GB. Galaxy Gear compatibility should come shortly after launch, the phone maker says. The GS4 Mini likely won't generate as much US interest as its full-size sibling, but it's hard to object to having a wider selection of compact smartphones.
Galaxy S4 Mini leaked in bubble gum colors for AT&T and Sprint (update: Verizon too)
We're not sure what happened to the alleged GS4 Mini for Verizon, which popped up a couple of months ago and still hasn't materialized. Nevertheless, here we go with some freshly leaked images courtesy of @evleaks, this time purporting to show Samsung's shrunken GS4 in various degrees of color saturation for AT&T and Sprint. We have no idea as to when the device will arrive on these networks, or how much it'll cost relative to an imported unit (the GS4 Mini is still $410 at Negri, versus $250 for the GS3 Mini). In fact, we're still not convinced that these low-spec models were worth their salt to begin with -- although, to be fair, they seem to be pretty popular in Europe right now. Update: We can add Verizon to the mix, as @evleaks has also outed a model for that carrier carrying its logo not only on the back, but also on the home button.
Samsung SPH-L520 reaches the FCC, may be a Galaxy S4 Mini for Sprint
We've only seen hints of the Galaxy S4 Mini launching in the US through AT&T and Verizon, but a new FCC approval suggests that Samsung's mid-size smartphone could reach Sprint as well. The filing reveals an SPH-L520 device with both a Sprint-native LTE frequency and a body that's only slightly larger than the regular GS4 Mini. That sounds like a positive ID, although we won't make too many presumptions -- this could be a carrier-specific phone that happens to sport Mini-like dimensions. If the smaller Galaxy does arrive on Sprint, though, we won't be caught off-guard.
This week on gdgt: NVIDIA's Shield, Samsung's S4 mini, and camping tech
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 29th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought overwhelming support for MoDaCo.Switch on the GS4, new markets for the budget-priced BlackBerry Q5 and a pint-sized Android handset from Acer. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of July 29th, 2013.
Leaked photos: Samsung's Galaxy S4 Mini is headed to Verizon
Here is it: the Galaxy S4 Mini... for Verizon? As of now, Samsung's smaller Galaxy S4 sibling is an international-only device; in other words, no US carriers have officially signed on to offer it. That said, a Samsung SCH-i435 recently made its way into the Bluetooth SIG's website, and those who follow VZW's classifications of Samsung products are all-too-familiar with the "SCH" prefix. Of course, a handful of leaked photos can't confirm a release date nor a price, but if it's already popping up with that label on the rear, surely the wait won't be much longer. Hop on past the break for a side-by-side shot with an iPhone 5. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Samsung preps Galaxy S 4, Galaxy S4 Mini variants with seamless dual-mode LTE
It hasn't been easy to bridge differing LTE network types in one phone; ZTE's attempt requires a reboot, for example. Samsung claims to have solved that problem with new dual-mode LTE versions of the Galaxy S 4 and Galaxy S4 Mini. Both devices can switch between the common FDD-LTE standard and TDD-LTE without restarting, and they'll automatically hand over any ongoing data sessions or voice calls. The advantages are potentially huge for both roaming and bandwidth -- travelers are more likely to stay on 4G, and providers running both FDD and TDD can switch customers to whatever network has the most capacity. Samsung hasn't said where and when the dual-mode Galaxies will be available, although TDD-LTE's worldwide reach (including the US) suggests that the smartphones could soon be commonplace.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini returns to the FCC with AT&T-capable LTE
When the Galaxy S4 Mini reached the FCC last month, we thought that might be the last we'd see of it in the US; the Galaxy S III Mini never officially reached the country, after all. The GS4 Mini is back for another round, however, and it's now toting AT&T-native support for both LTE (on the 700MHz and AWS bands) and HSPA (850MHz and 1,900MHz). Few other surprises are in store, although we've noticed that there's no AWS-based HSPA for T-Mobile fans. The filing also doesn't say anything about an AT&T launch for the GS4 Mini, but it comes a month after the FCC approved a compatible Galaxy Mega 6.3 -- we wouldn't be surprised if there's more to the story.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini review: small in size, but not worth the mega price
Despite how the saying goes, bigger isn't always better -- and that's especially true in the mobile industry, where companies have produced smartphones with larger and larger screens. While that does seem to be the latest trend, a few manufacturers haven't forgotten that there are a ton of smartphone users out there who prefer using something that actually fits in the palm of their hand. Unfortunately, those folks don't have a flagship Android device to call their own, but Samsung is hopeful that its latest 4.3-inch beauty, the Galaxy S4 Mini, will at least suffice as a solid middle-tier option. But will shoppers be bothered by the fact that it lacks many of the top-end components we enjoy on devices like the Samsung GS4? Our friends at Negri Electronics, who are selling the device for $520, were kind enough to let us have some one-on-one time with the petite handset. Read on to get our take.%Gallery-194098%
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 1st, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week, Simple Mobile changed its low-cost plans for the better and actionable notifications in BlackBerry 10.2 were shown off in a video walkthrough. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of June 1st, 2013.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini gets July 1st release date at Phones 4U, costs more than a GS3
Samsung's dinkier S4 variant will be available to buy in the UK, starting next week. Phones 4U promises that it'll be posting its Galaxy S4 Mini preorders on Monday July 1st, while smaller phone sellers like Unlocked Mobiles and Handtec are promising to start sales this weekend. Launching priced at £420 in Phones 4U, it's arriving at a higher cost than last year's Galaxy S III, currently £400 on the same site, making the S4 Mini (barring those looking for an incrementally smaller phone) appear a very tough sell to customers. While borrowing some design cues from the Galaxy S 4, the Mini drops down to a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and a pretty underwhelming 4.3-inch qHD AMOLED display, both less than you'd get on the GSIII. Of course, the price could drop substantially after release and EE is already offering S4 Mini preorder customers a free Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 to sweeten the deal.
Early hands-on with Samsung's latest Galaxy devices: GS4 Active, GS4 mini, plus 8- and 10-inch Tab 3
Samsung just held a small preview event in Helsinki, Finland, where we briefly had the chance to play with some of its latest devices. The Intel-powered Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 was there, along with the smaller Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. We also grabbed a few moments with the Galaxy S 4 mini as well as the Galaxy S 4 Active, both of which seemed kinda predictable but nevertheless managed to leave a good impression. There was no sign of the new Galaxy Ace 3 or the heavily rumored Galaxy S 4 Zoom, and we weren't able to grab video of any of the products, but we do have a gallery for you below and some very early impressions if you read on.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 mini, GT-S7272 reach the FCC
Well, that was fast. Samsung only just unveiled the Galaxy S 4 mini last week, and today the device is swinging through the FCC as the GT-i9195. Sadly, this particular version of the mini isn't likely to reach the US -- its LTE only works in South Korea and a handful of other distant countries. We're almost more interested in a second device, the GT-S7272, which is reaching the FCC at the same time. While this too won't hit the US when it doesn't even support American 3G frequencies, its model name is commonly (if unofficially) associated with a dual-SIM version of the unannounced Galaxy Ace 3, which may have both Android 4.2 and a WVGA screen. We'll keep our eyes peeled for versions of either smartphone that are friendlier to North American shores.
Samsung's Galaxy S 4 mini stars in Three UK's new video
Can't wait to get your hands on a Galaxy S 4 mini? Samsung has yet to announce its price and availability, but until then you can imagine you're Three UK's Brendan Arndt in the video below. Arndt shows off the much-rumored baby S 4 for us, as the phone poses for close-up shots in various angles. While the clip merely reiterates all the specs Samsung confirmed, it also shows how relatively tiny the S 4 mini is compared to its full-sized sibling and the gargantuan Galaxy Mega. That, despite the device boasting a 4.3-inch screen, which is even bigger than the iPhone 5's. Check after the jump to watch the S 4 mini in all its not-so-Lilliputian glory.
Samsung confirms Galaxy S 4 Mini: 4.3-inch display, 1.7GHz dual-core processor (updated)
So, it might not be a surprise that it was in the works, but its official announcement today almost caught us off guard. Here it is, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini. Now we can say for sure that there's a (yet to be specified) 1.7GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.2.2, GPS, GLONASS, WiFi, 8GB internal memory (expandable up to 64), and 1.5GB of RAM. The display is a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD affair, which will be kept going by a 1,900mAh battery, with the shooters coming in 8- and 1.9-megapixel resolutions. There's LTE support -- as you'd hope -- in 6 band sets, plus single and dual-SIM 3G versions for certain markets. Color choices are white and black (for now), with no official word on price and availability at this time. Mini, just got bigger it seems. Update: We may have a clearer idea of when the S 4 Mini will be up for grabs -- in the UK, at least -- as retailer Phones 4U has said it'll be stocking the handset "when it becomes available in the UK in July 2013." %Gallery-189758%
Alleged Galaxy S 4 mini benchmarks reveal Snapdragon 400 processor
The more we know about the 4.3-inch Galaxy S 4 mini, the more we're convinced that it's coming in the near future. German website All About Samsung claims to have obtained AnTuTu benchmark results from the baby Galaxy S 4, courtesy of an unnamed source. According to the screenshots above, the phone will feature 1.5GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2.1-megapixel front shooter capable of 1080p video. The original screenshots confirm the GS4 mini's rumored qHD display resolution (960 x 540 pixels), while also indicating that the phone will likely be powered by Qualcomm's dual-core Snapdragon 400 (like the HTC First), running Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean). If these specs pique your interest, ensure you haven't missed some recently leaked shots of the phone itself.
