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Our very own bright red mobile operator has relayed plans that it will offer the Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 as the first 4G handsets on its fresh and fast network when it launches next Spring.
Vodafone has declared Samsung’s flagship devices as the bearers of the 4G crown when it gets round to launching the updated network next year, spearheading the 4G enabled line-up. Samsung’s well-received and well-selling devices are also part of the provider’s “4G Promise” scheme, that enables existing customers to switch to an LTE handset when the rollout goes live.
As long as a customer has been with Vodafone for at least three months, they can pop in to a store, hand over their old phone and walk out with a shiny new 4G enabled device as well as a new 4G contract with 70 per cent knocked off the remaining contract charges. Now that sounds pretty good to me. Of course, this only applies if the phones are returned in good nick, and also only applies to Galaxy S III devices bought on, or after October 26.
Vodafone has yet to dish out the dirt on how much their 4G contracts will cost, but with EE leading the way with their expensive prices, we can only hope Vodafone will be our knights in shiny red armour with slightly cheaper LTE prices. [The Inquirer]
Blue Galaxy S III Trickling into the UK, as Vodafone Starts Sending 'Em Out
Samsung Hints at 6.3" Future Phone, Probably the Galaxy Note III
Rumour: Galaxy Note III Features "Unbreakable" Plastic Display
Can someone clarify this bit “As long as a customer has been with Vodafone for at least three months, they can pop in to a store, hand over their old phone and walk out with a shiny new 4G enabled device as well as a new 4G contract with 70 per cent knocked off the remaining contract charges.” – so you still have to pay 30% of your 3G contract fees on top of your new 4G contract?
Administration fee doncha know.
To clarify, usually, you’d have to buy out the rest of your contract if you wanted to terminate it — but Vodafone are letting you do this for 30% since you’ll be switching to their 4G service. Not too shabby, eh?
But it only applies to phones bought after today. so you are still going to have a large chunk to pay. Isn’t EE excusing existing Orange and T-mo users the rest of their 3G contracts?
I suppose so, yes. But then again, you’ll be using it until Vodafone roll out their 4G network. And say for instance, you had an iPhone 5 on a 12 month contract from today, by the time Vodafone actually roll out their 4G network, the amount of months left on your contract will be around 6, making the cost a little bit easier to swallow.
Of course, it is still expensive whichever way you look at it. I’m personally happy with 3G for now.
One more question Jon, Where the hell are Ms Hannaford and Dr Gibbs today?
Ms. Hannaford is to my left, being as busy as usual, and the Doc is somewhere in Milan, having attended the Electrolux Design Lab final. So, you’re stuck with me today, I’m afraid
No problem with that, we were just hoping they were deep in negotiations with Nokia/Microsoft/Google/Samsung/LG about funding for the next meetup.
Why do you assume I’m away? You know I don’t post anyway!
Yes you do http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/author/kathannaford/ I did assume you were busy (since that is your default state), but it was unusual for both you AND Sam to not be posting on the same day. Some of us notice this stuff you know.
It has happened before though! I guess you’re not _that_ observant, eh?
None of us are perfect
Well, it’s pretty sporadic, as you can see! I’m generally too bogged down with spreadsheets / emailing / meetings / dealing with stroppy commenters…
Damn those stroppy commenters, always demanding edit buttons and meetups and taking you away from your beloved spreadsheets
I guess that they have a one or two year contract since they bought it on or after the 26th of October and that would be considered a break of contract. So based on previous experience yes they will charge you 30% as a penalty and then “gift” you a 4g device.