Sprint gives Epic 4G price premium for Aug 31

Sprint this morning nailed down launch details for the Samsung Epic 4G. The long in coming Android flagship will carry a premium over other Galaxy S variants like the Captivate and Vibrant, costing $250 when attached to a two-year plan and a rebate. Stores get the phone August 31 and will open early that day, at 8AM local time, to accommodate demand.

The launch will include a first-ever pre-order program for Sprint: customers will have the option of reserving a phone online or in-store and can finish the order anytime between launch and 6PM September 1. The device still requires both the $70 regular smartphone plan and a $10 monthly add-on, regardless of whether or not they live in a 4G area; the optional mobile hotspot feature adds an extra $30 per month.

Sprint's phone is the only major differentiation from the stock Galaxy S and centers on its namesake WiMAX for faster downloads and video chat support on its equally new front camera. A slide-out QWERTY keyboard is similarly unique. The four-inch Super AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor, five-megapixel back camera and 802.11n Wi-Fi are on par with other phone versions.

Android 2.2 may be some distance off, as Sprint only expects an upgrade to the OS in the "coming months."

By Electronista Staff