AT&T, T-Mobile to begin orders for new Samsung S5
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone (L), Gear 2 smartwatch (C) and Gear Fit fitness band are displayed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. (Reuters)
AT&T says it will take orders for Samsung's new Galaxy S5 smartphone starting Friday, while T-Mobile will start on Monday.
Verizon, Sprint and others are also expected to carry the phone, though details have yet to be revealed.
Samsung has said the phone will start shipping worldwide on April 11.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Announced last month at the Mobile World Congress wireless show in Barcelona, Spain, the S5 will have a 5.1-inch screen, measured diagonally, and a 16-megapixel camera. The S5 will also have a fingerprint sensor to use in place of a passcode to unlock the phone or make payments through PayPal. And it will have a heart-rate sensor to measure fitness activities.
AT&T says the phone will cost $200 with a two-year service agreement or $650 without a contract. T-Mobile is charging $660 under its installment plan.
Samsung is the leading maker of cellphones, helped by the popularity of its Galaxy line.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It is now pushing into the emerging market for wearable devices. AT&T says it will sell the Gear 2 smartwatch for $299, a price comparable with the original model last year. Two devices with fewer features, the Gear 2 Neo and the Gear Fit, will go for $199 each. All three devices offer fitness tracking and other features and will be available April 11 as well.
Samsung Electronics Co. didn't announce prices when it unveiled its new products in February.