Two of the most popular Android devices out right now have to be the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, and we weren’t surprised to hear Google would be making “nexus experience” versions of each device available on June 26. If you’ve been saving up for either device to purchase them as soon as they’re made available, then today is the day to break open your Android-themed piggy bank as both Google Play Editions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One will be available today.
Both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One will feature a stock version of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean instead of the custom versions both HTC and Samsung normally install on their devices and are completely contract-free. The Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition is retailing for $649, while you can purchase the HTC One with Nexus user experience for a slightly cheaper $599. That might be a bit of a sticker shock for some of you who are used to subsidized prices for your mobile devices, but considering you’ll be able to have a stock version of Android and will receive updates as soon as Google releases them, then increased price is certainly well worth it.
[Update 2: It looks like we were right the first time and both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play Edition are now available to order, although they look like they begin shipping out on July 9. Now would be the best time to get those orders in!]
[Update: In case you haven’t checked out our hands-on of the Google Play Editions of both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, today doesn’t seem to be the day when you can purchase the device through the Google Play Store. According to Google, both devices will now hopefully be made available on July 9.
Just to clarify, the information I received prior to publishing this article was based on what both Google and HTC had said in the past when we first reported both devices would be made available. I was unaware of the delay in their release until after I published this story, and I’m now making sure you all are aware too. So cross out today as being the day you can pre-order the Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play Edition and the devices should ship on July 9.
Filed in . Read more about Galaxy S4, Google, Google Play Store, HTC One (M7) and Samsung.