U.S. Cellular’s First 4G LTE Phone, Samsung Galaxy S Aviator, is Now Available

Last month U.S. Cellular got its first 4G LTE device, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and today the company announced that its first 4G LTE smartphone is also available.

The Samsung Galaxy S Aviator will cost $199.99, but “for a limited time”, you can snag one for just $99 in some markets. (Both of those prices are after a $100 mail-in rebate.) Although the phone only runs Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread, modest 1GHz Hummingbird processor, and just 1.4GB of internal memory, it does boast a 4.3-inch display, 8MP rear-facing camera with flash, 1.3MP front-facing webcam, and an HDMI port.

There are also dozens of pre-loaded apps, which is a nice touch, although a few of them look an awful lot like bloatware.

For now, the Galaxy S Aviator is available in select cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, with availability in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia later this year.

U.S. CELLULAR LAUNCHES FIRST 4G LTE SMARTPHONE:SAMSUNG GALAXY S AVIATOR

Aviator Available Online and In Stores Today

CHICAGO (April 5, 2012) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, have announced that the Samsung Galaxy S® Aviator™ is available today, both in stores and online at uscellular.com. The Android™-powered smartphone runs on the 4G LTE™ network, with speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, and is the first 4G LTE smartphone in the carrier’s device line-up. The Galaxy S Aviator will be available for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. For a limited time, the smartphone will be available for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate in select markets covered by the 4G LTE network. Visit uscellular.com for detailed pricing.

Powered by Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread), the Galaxy S Aviator has a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen and front-facing camera for easy video chatting. This sleek and slim smartphone allows you to connect quickly to entertainment and the Internet on-the-go. Users also have access to Google Play, formerly known as the Android™ Market, a one-stop shop for Android users to access nearly half a million apps, millions of songs and books, and thousands of movies.

“We are excited to bring our customers our first 4G LTE smartphone to help them get more done in less time,” said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. “The faster downloading and browse and talk function make it the go-to device for customers who depend on their smartphone to keep up with their busy schedules.”

Highlighted features:
· Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread)
· 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen
· 8 megapixel rear-facing camera
· Front facing webcam
· HDMI port

The 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier's high-quality nationwide network. The Galaxy S Aviator will be available to all U.S. Cellular customers and will run on the 4G LTE network in markets where it is available and on U.S. Cellular’s nationwide 3G network in all other areas.
U.S. Cellular customers enjoy unique benefits, such as new devices faster without resigning contracts, free Overage Protection and free Battery Swap. U.S. Cellular also offers customers the only points-based rewards program in the industry, which rewards customers for simple things, such as paying bills on-time, adding a line or referring friends and family. Points may be used for faster phone upgrades, additional lines, devices, accessories and ringtones. It’s one of the reasons U.S. Cellular has the happiest customers in wireless.

U.S. Cellular, in partnership with King Street Wireless, currently offers 4G LTE service in select cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. In the second half of this year, 4G LTE coverage will expand to cover select cities in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. By the end of 2012, 54 percent of U.S. Cellular customers will enjoy faster 4G LTE speeds. For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G.