Google and Samsung did a great job of keeping the news of a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a "Nexus user experience" under wraps. We reported the rumor this morning and Google just made things official by announcing the Samsung Galaxy S4 that runs stock Android, providing Samsung Galaxy S4 users a Nexus experience.
When Google announced the Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Nexus user experience, it highlighted the popularity and how powerful the Galaxy S4 is. It teamed up with Samsung to offer a version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 that would allow users a stock Android experience. This means no TouchWiz in sight for this Galaxy S4 variant, something that will make many future Galaxy S4 owners happy.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available unlocked with LTE support for AT&T and T-Mobile. There will only be one model with 16GB of internal storage, so you better follow Samsung's advice and pick up a microSD card since the device ships with less than adequate storage. The Galaxy S4 will ship with Android 4.2.2, just like all Galaxy S4s, but Google promises prompt system updates just as it does with its Nexus branded devices. The smartphone will be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE network.
Even though the Samsung Galaxy S4 isn't being referred to as a Nexus device, it will be sold exclusively on the Google Play Store like most of Google's Nexus devices. Just don't expect to pay the $299 and $349 price tags of the Nexus 4. Google will be charging $649 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Nexus user experience beginning on June 26.
We all know Samsung loves to sell as many smartphones as possible, but the fact that the highlight of this Galaxy S4 is the lack of TouchWiz is sort of a slap in the face to Samsung. It remains to be seen if consumers will choose to buy an unlocked stock Android Galaxy S4 or submit to a carrier's contract and pay a cheaper price and deal with TouchWiz. Either way, Samsung is still selling more Galaxy S4s with TouchWiz or not.
