U.S. Cellular Announces Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G

In an attempt to bolster its new 4G LTE network, regional carrier U.S. Cellular has announced a new 4G LTE device called the Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G which will arrive later this year.

The Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G will join the Samsung Galaxy S III in U.S. Cellular’s lineup and it will do so with a physical QWERTY keyboard, a nice-sized 4-inch display, and a price tag that will check in at $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and $129.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate in places where U.S. Cellular has 4G LTE service.

That price difference makes it clear that U.S. Cellular wants to move people off of its 3G network and onto its new 4G LTE high-speed data network.

Other features of the Metrix 4G include a 5 mega-pixel rear camera, a front-facing camera, and a 1GHz processor.

It appears to be a solid option for those wanting to pair a physical keyboard with 4G LTE speeds.

The device is available through U.S. Cellular’s website today and it will land in physical retail locations starting on August 24th. That means that those who don’t wish to purchase the Metrix 4G blindly online will only have to wait two days before being able to get some hands-on time with it.

https://youtu.be/uhEtC1_LKws

U.S. Cellular’s 4G LTE network is still growing.

It currently covers 31% of its user base in select cities in the states of Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

The carrier will be rolling out a 4G LTE expansion later this year though and by the end of 2012, it will cover 58% of its customer base.

The markets that will be seeing 4G LTE later this year include cities in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Those who don’t yet have access to 4G LTE can use the Metrix 4G on U.S. Cellular’s 3G network.