The domestic retail launch of Samsung's flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4 is definitely on the horizon — the handset's Sprint and MetroPCS versions just made their way past FCC approval.
The Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a model number designated SPH-L720 and the MetroPCS version is SCH-R970. Both versions are more or less the same, but there are a couple of slight differences.
A CDMA/EVDO radio comes with both and enables 3G and 4G LTE connectivity. However, Sprint's version supports that carrier's LTE bands as well as 4G HSPA+ bands for global roaming. According to Engadget, the MetroPCS model doesn't offer HSPA and the four bands that it's compatible with are geared for "mid-size American networks, like US Cellular."
The Sprint and MetroPCS variants of the Galaxy S4 are the only ones we've seen come through the FCC so far — it's unclear when AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon's versions will follow suit.
Though T-Mobile has already announced it will carry the Samsung Galaxy S4 for an upfront cost of $99, the Deutsche Telekom-owned carrier has yet to indicate when we might be able to actually buy the phone.
At its Uncarrier event where the Galaxy S4 was unveiled, Samsung said that it would hit U.S. stores sometime in April, so we can likely expect carrier-brand versions to roll out sometime around then.
If you're sick of waiting, head to the UK, where Samsung has indicated the Galaxy S4 will first be launching. It'll be available there on April 26, though the domestic rollout will probably occur shortly thereafter, so you should probably just stay put.
