Samsung Archive

Google has apparently released a brand new smartphone called the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This device has the new Android 4.0 software on it which is codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. It runs on the Verizon network and has the ability to use the LTE network which is the fastest I’ve heard. I would have been interested in reviewing the Galaxy Nexus as most of you know that I am still using my Samsung Ace Windows Mobile Phone version 6 but alas I was told back at Google IO that I am not on Google’s press list. No worries and my Ace is still happy to be warming my pocket.

For decades now I’ve always liked Samsung’s build quality and design and assume this phone continues this pattern. There are lots of reviews out there for the device in which all seem to indicate it’s awesome. I am guessing over the next few days we will see lots of photos on Google Plus of the devices as people receive them around the country.

You can buy the phone direct from Verizon for $299 with a two-year contract (Greg notes in the comments that an upgrade is $249). But you know that I won’t allow that – so here are some other options for ordering the Galaxy Nexus smartphone while saving some money to buy apps and music to use on your new device.

LetsTalk – this appears to be the best price out there – the deal will start at midnight Pacific time and will be offered for $155 for a new line of service or $175 for an upgrade on an existing contract. You will need to enter the code ‘$75VZN’ to get the special pricing.

UPDATE! As I expected, Amazon has dropped the price of the Nexus to $149 for new line and $249 for an upgrade. It shows backordered but you should still assume it will ship soon.

Amazon – currently Amazon shows the smartphone at $199 for a new line of service and $249 for an upgrade. The phone is listed with an 8-day backorder but this may change tomorrow. There is chatter that Amazon may actually reduce their price for the device as they have been heavily price matching this holiday season.

You should always read all of the terms of the contract carefully when you purchase a smartphone as each merchant may have special restrictions. Now I am off to play solitaire on my Ace.

My best advice is if you want one of these phones, you wait a few days before ordering as I am sure we will see more deals on Sunday for the device. I will continue to update this post as I find more deals for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone.
Continue reading “Best Prices for the Google Galaxy Nexus Smartphone” »

Galaxy Tab Deal

This morning I noticed that DailySteals is running a deal for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1″ model for $349. The unit is a WiFi-only unit and has 16GB of storage. Also important to note is that buried in the product description is that the units are refurbished and come with a 90 day warranty. The new retail boxed version sold on Amazon costs $499 and features a one-year warranty. I have never purchased anything from DailySteals so make sure to do your typical merchant research before purchasing.

Blackberry Playbook Deal

If you are looking for a Blackberry Playbook (that’s Blackberry’s tablet device which runs Flash), Staples is sending out coupons to their email lists with coupons that appear to be ranging from $100-$200. The talk on the deal boards is that not everyone is receiving the coupons – I know that I haven’t on any of the email addresses I have registered with Staples.

Amazon lists the 16GB Playbook at $492 but other merchants list the device at just under $400. If you get in on the Staples deal,  you may also be able to grab a $100 rebate from Blackberry.

Assuming you received the $200 Staples coupon and stacked it with a $25 Staples coupon and also got the $100 rebate, you would pay $125 for the 16GB Blackberry Playbook – very close to the HP Playbook pricing! That is one hot deal if you are part of the Blackberry family.

If you receive a coupon from Staples but don’t plan to use it – you might be able to swap it for $20 or so with someone on SlickDeals.

As part of my fully paid registration at Google IO back in May,  I received a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Immediately I realized it was a nice device. I am working on a post about how the Tab helped me immensely during my doctor-ordered bed rest the past couple of months. I think it’s one of the best tech gadgets I’ve ever owned.

The Galaxy Tab launched to the public about a month ago. Amazon currently lists the device at $499.

I found a deal that can help you score the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the 16GB WiFi version for $399. The deal is at Staples and using this coupon the price drops to $399. Alternatively the 32GB WiFI version is also available for $100 more. The deal is a brick-and-mortar only deal so make sure to check stock levels before driving over to Staples. The deal is valid through July 30th.

And yes, the Galaxy Tab will run Google+!

Last week I wrote about a deal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7″ for $280 — it was the WiFi only version. Today I’ve learned about a new weekend-only deal through AT&T on the Galaxy Tab 3G AT&T version.

The deal through AT&T is for a refurbished 7″ Galaxy Tab for $200 after a $150 instant “social media credit” (WTF!).  You need to signup for a data plan for one month – the 2GB plan can be added to your shopping cart for no cost. Just make sure to cancel the plan inside of the first month so you aren’t charged for additional months. The device has no contract outside of this initial one-month data plan requirement.

During my time at Google IO this week, I received a 10″ Galaxy Tab tablet. So far it seems like a very well built device that I can see using all the time although the 7″ seems like it might be a bit more portable.

If you are new to the Galaxy Tab, check out Louis Gray’s in-depth review.

As soon as the announcement was made at Google IO this morning that all 5,000 attendees would be received the yet-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1″ tablet, I joked around with some friends that tonight we would see the first batch listed on eBay. I figured they would be priced at about $1,000 if we assume that a “limited edition”, “not for sale” version would bring in about a 30% premium.

Well I was wrong on both fronts…the first two auctions are now online on eBay for the tablet.

The two auctions are:

• Auction 1 – A buy-it-now price of $1,699 plus $10 shipping, currently with no bids. This is a one-day auction. UPDATE: This auction has ended with a final price of $1,358 with 25 bids.
• Auction 2 – A buy-it-now price of $1,999 or make best offer with free expedited shipping. This is a three-day auction.
• A few more tablets have started to appear on eBay – ranging from $900-$2,000.

Update #1 – the first tablet has hit Craigslist – the best deal so far for $800.

I will update this post as I see more auctions and listings appear online. My guess is that we will see about 100 of the Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets appear for sale within the next 24-48 hours.

Back in January, Sprint announced a price reduction for the 7″ Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet to $299 with a two-year contract. And now T-Mobile offers the Galaxy Tab for $199 with a two-year contract.

Meritline is offering a refurbished Sprint-branded 3G Galaxy Tab for $310. Meritline lists the device specs as, “ARM Cortex A8 1GHz, 16GB, 7 inch TFT LCD, 3G, BT 3.0, Android 2.2″. There’s no contract required on this refurbished model although you will need a Sprint mobile plan to use the 3G service. You can use the device in the WiFi only mode — no Sprint plan is required for WiFi only mode.

Update: If you decide to purchase from Meritline, here’s a coupon code that brings the price down to $280 – MLC5HVNRPK6NL

If you are looking for a WiFi only Galaxy Tab, Amazon appears to have the best price at $349.

You should note that a 10″ Galaxy Tab with Android 3.0 Honeycomb appears to be on the way.

If you are new to the Galaxy Tab, check out Louis Gray’s in-depth review.