Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE
FreedomPop Adds Three LTE Samsung Phones to Lineup
FreedomPop today expanded its smartphone roster to include several high-end Samsung handsets. Beginning today, FreedomPop customers can choose from the Samsung Galaxy Victory, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy S III to access LTE service. FreedomPop, an MVNO that offers free and low-cost service, is marking the availability of these devices as its official jump from Sprint's WiMAX 4G network to Sprint's LTE 4G network. In addition to the new phones, FreedomPop announced a new $20 plan that includes unlimited voice and text, and 1GB of 4G speeds (throttled to 3G speeds thereafter). Last, FreedomPop is making its FreedomPop Free Voice and Text application available to Android-based devices. The app provides any Android device with free voice, text, and voicemail. FreedomPop is pitching the app as a potential source of savings for Android users stuck in contracts with other providers. For example, it suggests Android owners downgrade their contract plan and make use of its app instead. FreedomPop Free Voice and Text is already available to the iPhone. Pricing of the new handsets wasn't immediately available.
Sprint Pushing Jelly Bean to Galaxy Victory 4G
Sprint today announced that Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean is ready for the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE. The system software, which can be downloaded and installed over the air, adds Google Now, Android Beam, Project Butter, actionable notifications, and Swype, as well as giving Google Maps indoor walking directions and Zagat ratings. The update is free to install and use.
LTE Comes To Virgin, Boost
Sprint today announced the first LTE 4G phones for its prepaid brands, Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile. Boost will get the all-new Force, made by ZTE, as well as the HTC One SV, already offered by MetroPCS. Virgin, meanwhile, will get the Samsung Galaxy Victory, already offered under the Sprint brand. Both brands have previously only offered 4G phones that use Sprint's older WiMAX network. Sprint is committed to continuing WiMAX service through 2015, but eventually plans to phase it out in favor of LTE. The Force sports a 4-inch screen, 5-megapixel camera, front camera, and 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. Boost will offer the Force on March 7th for $200, and the One SV on the same day for $300. Virgin starts selling the Victory today for $300.
Sprint Confirms Prepaid Service to Launch January 25
Sprint confirmed today that it plans to launch Sprint-branded prepaid cellular service, called Sprint As You Go, later this month. The service will offer several phones for full retail price along with altered versions of Sprint's service plans. Sprint will sell four phones, two smartphones (LG Optimus Elite for $150, Samsung Victory for $250) and two feature phones. The prepaid smartphone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data for $70 per month, and the prepaid feature phone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data for $50 per month. They will be available for purchase from Sprint's existing retail stores. "This is essentially a retail initiative for Sprint-branded stores only, created for customers who have an affinity for the Sprint brand and have indicated they want a no-contract option," said Sprint spokeswoman Jayne Wallace to Fierce Wireless. "As for our prepaid brands, this actually allows us to strengthen the focus on our primary prepaid sales channels." Sprint will not throttle or limit the amount of data consumed by customers who choose these plans. The customers will not, however, be able to roam onto other carriers' EVDO 3G networks, nor will Sprint-branded services, such as Navigation, work. Sprint As You Go launches January 25.
Samsung Provides List of Devices to Receive Jelly Bean
Samsung today named the smartphones and tablets that it plans to update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. In an email sent to The Verge, Samsung spokesperson Kiyung Nam said the Galaxy S II, Note, S Advance, S II LTE, Chat, Ace 2, Beam, Ace Plus, Mini 2, and S Duos smartphones will receive Jelly Bean. In addition to these phones, four tablets will also receive Jelly Bean, which are the Tab 2 7.0, Tab 7.0 Plus, Tab 2 10.1, and Note 10.1 The Jelly Bean updates are scheduled to being via Kies later this year.
Hands-On: Samsung Galaxy Victory
Sprint's latest Samsung device is the Galaxy Victory. This $99 Android phone offers a lot for its low price, including 4G LTE, NFC, Google Wallet, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Here are our first impressions.
Galaxy Victory a Low-Cost LTE Phone for Sprint
Sprint and Samsung today announced the Galaxy Victory, a $99 smartphone that supports Sprint's LTE 4G network. The Victory, a slab-style device, boasts a 4.0-inch display and a dual-core 1.2GHz processor. Other features of the Victory include a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash; a 1.3-megapixel user-facing camera; and near-field communication on board with Google Wallet support. The Galaxy Victory also includes some Samsung-specific features, such as S Voice, AllShare, and S Beam. The Samsung Galaxy Victory will be available starting September 16 for $99.99 after mail-in rebate.
