
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is official and while it may be more of an incremental upgrade from the Galaxy S3 instead of a total revolution, it's still a tempting proposition.
In terms of the Samsung Galaxy S4 release date the flagship smartphone is due to land in stores on April 26 - sadly there's no one week turn around a la Apple (and BlackBerry in terms of the Z10) here.
Update: This has sadly now changed, with Samsung pushing the Galaxy S4 release date back by a day, sending us the following statement:
"The Samsung Galaxy S4 will launch in the UK and around the world on the 27th April at 10AM GMT with all major operators. In the UK, the device will be available an hour earlier on the 27th April at 9AM GMT from the Samsung Experience Store at Westfield Stratford City.
"There is demand for the Galaxy S4 globally and Samsung wants to make it available to all of its customers at the same time."
It's worth noting that while EE is the only carrier currently with a 4G network, every network will be selling you a 4G-enabled Galaxy S4, so when Vodafone, O2 and Three get round to switching on their services you won't need a new handset - but a new contract probably will be required.
Sadly there doesn't seem to be any sign of the 32GB and 64GB variants of the Galaxy S4 on the UK's pre-order pages, with us having to make do with the 16GB model - but at least there's a microSD slot round the back.
So without further ado, here's the breakdown of where you can grab the Samsung Galaxy S4 in the UK.
Carphone Warehouse
Apparently you've been registering your interest in your droves, with the retailer confirming it had been "off the charts", with "four times (446%) as many pre-registrations for the Galaxy S4 than the Galaxy S3 last year".
Pre-orders have now opened, and it you select a contract deal Carphone will throw in a free accessories bundle including a car charger, microSD card and case.
Carphone Warehouse was originally offering the 16GB Galaxy S4 SIM-free for the lofty price of £629.95 (£100 more than the equivalent iPhone 5), but it has since dropped that to a slightly more palatable £589.95 - phew!
On contract a free handset will set you back at least £35 per month over two years, with tariffs from EE, O2, Orange, Three, T-Mobile and Vodafone up for grabs.
Phones 4U
Registration also went well at Phones 4U with Scott Hooton, Chief Commercial Officer saying: "it has already received the most pre-registrations at Phones 4U of any other smartphone launch in 2013, as well as a 40% increase on pre-registrations for the Galaxy SIII in the first 48 hours."
You can now pre-order the Galaxy S4 here too, and as with Carphone a two year contract and free handset deal starts from £41 per month.
There's a SIM-free option as well, with Phones 4U now coming in slightly more expensive than its high-street rival with a price of £599.95.
The hook here is you'll get entered into a prize draw to win Samsung goodies if you pre-order through Phones 4U, plus the retailer will also hand you £100 of Google Play credit and some free accessories.
Phones 4U doesn't seem to be offering the Galaxy S4 on O2 or Three though, with EE and its sister brands listed alongside Vodafone on the website.
EE
Unsurprisingly EE is the only UK network able to offer the Samsung Galaxy S4 on 4G from launch - basically because it's the only one which has the super fast connection available.
Of course you don't have to go direct to EE, both Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U also offer you the chance to grab a Galaxy S4 on the 4G network.
Pre-orders are now live, but thanks to the 4G attraction prices are bumped up meaning there's no option of a free handset.
If you don't want to shell out a lot up front the cheapest handset cost is £19.99, but you'll need to pay a staggering £56 per month, but at least you get 8GB of data with that.
£41 per month will get you a lowly 1GB of data and will also require you to stump up £79.99 at point of sale.
Three
Three potentially has the best looking Galaxy S4 pre-order deal, with a free handset on a two year contract which costs £35 per month and gives you all-you-can-eat data. Om nom nom indeed.
You also get 500 minutes and 5,000 texts at £35 per month, but if that's not enough call time an extra £2 each month will see that allowance boosted to 2,000 minutes plus 5,000 Three to Three minutes.
O2
Over at O2 things are looking a bit more expensive, with a free Galaxy S4 only available on contracts from £47 per month, which gives you unlimited calls and texts and a distinctly average 2GB of data.
If you don't want to may so much a month you can put up £99.99 for the handset, which will see the monthly cost reduced to £37 for the same allowances - which works out at £140 cheaper in the long run.
If you're wondering at this point when the Samsung Galaxy S4 release date is then shame on you for missing it at the start, but all networks and retailers are saying April 26.
Vodafone
As with the likes of Three and O2 the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Vodafone comes "4G ready", so you'll be able to hop onto the network's super fast connection when it launches later this year - although "additional charges may apply". You have been warned.
The Vodafone Galaxy S4 pre-order page reveals a free handset on a £42 per month two year deal, giving you unlimited calls and texts alongside 2GB of data.
You can reduce the monthly cost by trading in your old touchscreen device, making your monthly outgoing a more palatable £37.
Virgin Media
Branson's network has confirmed that it will be ranging the Samsung Galaxy S4 at some point and unveiled the exciting pre-registration link which is here - still no sign of a pre-order page though.
Pricing is still up for debate but Virgin broadband and TiVo subscribers will get £5 off whatever the tariffs are when they arrive.
TalkTalk
Update: TalkTalk will have its Samsung Galaxy S4 pre-order page up on April 22 and will offer the flagship handset for free on contracts starting at just £30 per month. It may be worth keeping an eye on this one.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco has told us that it will be putting up some form of Galaxy S4 pre-order process soon.
Online retailers
Unlocked-Mobiles was the first UK retailer to come out with a price for the Galaxy S4, posting the 16GB version for pre-order at £529.98 with a stock date of April 26.
Expansys is also taking pre-orders for the White Frost and Black Mist models, with a new lower SIM-free price of £579.99 - it was originally listed at £589.99.
Clove has got its pre-order page up now with a price of £579.99 listed, although there is a note on the site saying: "Official Price and Availability To Be Confirmed - First stock expected 26th April".