Vodafone and Three have also confirmed they will “soon” stock the new smartphone
EE and retailers Phones 4 U and Carphone Warehouse have confirmed they will sell the Samsung Galaxy S 4 from its launch in the UK on April 26.
Vodafone and Three will also stock the device, although both are yet to give an exact date.
The 4G-compatible, 5-inch smartphone was unveiled in New York last night. Featuring a 13-megapixel camera, it runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and has a octo-core processor.
Other features include ‘smart pause’, a technology patented by Samsung in January which allows users to control the screen with their eyes.
The Galaxy S 4 is the first smartphone in the world to come pre-loaded with Visa’s mobile payments function payWave, meaning owners can use the smartphone like a contactless debit card.
EE confirmed the device will be available on its 4G network for both consumers and business customers.
Its director of products and devices Paul Jevons said: “The interest we’ve received from consumers and businesses has almost reached fever-pitch levels, so we’re delighted to be the only UK operator to offer the Samsung Galaxy S 4 enabled with 4G from launch.”
Vodafone said the Samsung Galaxy S 4 will add to its range of ‘4G ready’ phones. The operator said it will announce pre-order and pricing soon.
Phones 4 U said it has already receives the most registrations of interest for the Galaxy S 4 than any other smartphone launched in 2013, as well as a 40 per cent increase on pre-registrations for the Galaxy S III in the first 48 hours.
Chief commercial officer Scott Hooton said: “The anticipation surrounding the next Samsung Galaxy device has been astounding.
“We know from YouGov research that 46% of smartphone owners in the UK are considering getting a Samsung smartphone next, and so we’re predicting that the Galaxy S 4 could be in with a strong chance of becoming the biggest selling smartphone of 2013.”
Carphone Warehouse chief operating officer Graham Stapleton said the retailer is anticipating “massive” customer interest and that it was planning on extending opening hours to cope with demand.
Stapleton said: “The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is huge news for anyone who already uses or is interested in getting a smartphone.
“Samsung has the timing spot-on with a late April launch, 4G coming to more UK networks this summer means that interest in new devices will be building considerably.
“We’re anticipating a massive amount of customer interest in this handset and are expecting our stores to be busier than at the height of the Christmas period. We are planning to extend opening hours at our larger sites to cope with the increased demand.
“The record breaking launch of the Galaxy SIII last year was always going to be a tough one to beat, but Samsung have pulled out all the stops with a dazzling new device that’s sure to inspire many people to make the switch to Android from other operating systems.”
