Editorials
Verizon Galaxy S5 Release & Pre-Order Details and Predictions
The Verizon Galaxy S5 release date is missing, prompting customers to search for answers and vent on social media where some employees claim pre-orders are live at retailers. Here is a quick look at the Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-order and release status and what buyers can expect.
During the Samsung Galaxy S5 announcement the company confirmed Verizon as an official carrier alongside AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular. Now a month later as AT&T and Sprint plan for a Galaxy S5 release on April 8th and April 11th Verizon is focused on the new HTC One M8.
After the announcement the carrier teased the Galaxy S5 on social media and featured the device on the Verizon Insider publication, but since then there is very little information from Verizon about the Galaxy S5.
Here is a look at what Verizon customers are saying, when the Verizon Galaxy S5 release might arrive and other details buyers need to know.
Retailers are Ready for a Verizon Galaxy S5 Pre-Order
Third-party retailers are ready to start taking Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-orders, but so far there is no way for customers to hand over money for the new phone.
Best Buy lists the Verizon Galaxy S5 under the $10 gift card promotion on the product page and includes Verizon in the fine print of the main Best Buy Galaxy S5 page.
Target shows a Verizon logo on the Galaxy S5 pre-order page, but only lists devices from Sprint and AT&T. A Wireless Team Member at Target Mobile tweets that Verizon is included in pre-orders that started on March 22nd.
Preorders for the Samsung Galaxy S5 have begun at #targetmobile on Verizon, AT&T, & Sprint. For more… https://t.co/U5r0oFg5bG
— Gibron B. (@TheRealBron03) March 22, 2014
A RadioShack employee claims to be taking Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-orders for a release in the second week of April, but RadioShack does not list Verizon online.
https://twitter.com/llenard486/status/449195248996990976
Verizon customers can stop in to Target or RadioShack to try to get a Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-order, but it seems more likely that the employees are misinformed.
Verizon Galaxy S5 Release Date Predictions
For now the Verizon Galaxy S5 is taking a back seat to the HTC One M8 which is available exclusively in store at Verizon for the next two weeks. This is clearly a confirmation that the Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-orders will not start until April 8th at the earliest and in all likely hood the Verizon Galaxy S5 release may not take place until mid-April or later.
If tradition dictates the Verizon Galaxy S5 release date could come as late as a month after the rest of the carriers. This is a best case scenario that would include pre-orders sometime in mid-April.
The worst case scenario is that the Verizon Galaxy S5 release takes a bigger backseat to the HTC One M8, and doesn’t arrive until the fall, like the HTC One in 2013. This is less likely given the ease of switching carriers and the anticipation for the new phone, but it is impossible to know what kind of deal Verizon and HTC struck for the HTC One M8 release. The deal is only an in store exclusivity, which give hope that the Verizon Galaxy S5 plans are not delayed that much.
Verizon Galaxy S5 Buyers are Frustrated
Even if there is only a two to three-week delay in the Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-orders, customers are frustrated by the lack of information. The Verizon Galaxy S5 price is likely to be the same as other carriers on contract, at $199, and based on the images shared by Verizon the colors will be black and white, but users still want to know when and where to buy the smartphone.
I'm losing my mind waiting for the @SamsungMobileUS Galaxy S5 to come out and be available on Verizon. I'm a fan of instant gratification.^^
— Abby (@lotusfire204) March 27, 2014
I wanna get the galaxy s5 but of course no Verizon release date or price
— Big Papi (@bigsells) March 23, 2014
https://twitter.com/erinashlea/status/447067106048106496
https://twitter.com/seydawg32_simms/status/447082096138661888
One user even received a reply from Verizon and Best Buy, but was only told to sign up for email alerts and check back soon. Shoppers can sign up to be notified on the landing page which says a Verizon Galaxy S5 pre-order is “available soon.”
Toooony
03/27/2014 at 1:31 pm
The GS5 boooo!! I was looking for more out of it.. I’ve always used the Galaxy series but damn leees throw some new shit out there. Iphone 6 and Note 4 are the 2 phones to look for this year. That HTC M8 is looking pretty good.
Holding out for the Note personally
Edward Orde
03/27/2014 at 3:32 pm
https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1067887
Whole discussion about it here (site currently “under maintenance”)
advenurerpoet
03/28/2014 at 10:01 am
I’m super frustrated about this as well. I am overdue for an upgrade because I was specifically waiting for the GS5 and on Verizon. I have been a long-time customer with Verizon. I have a Samsung Galaxy NEXUS. Talk about out-dated phone! I am really ready to upgrade. But nope, nothing from Verizon. I can’t believe they are putting the S5 on hold for the HTC M8 – I looked into it – really an inferior phone compared to the S5. For the first time, I am really disappointed in Verizon.
Frustrated Verizon Customer
04/02/2014 at 7:51 am
If the Samsung Galaxy S5 is greatly delayed on Verizon compared to other carriers, then I’m switching to T-Mobile or AT&T. My contract is up and have absolutely no reason to wait for Verizon to drag its feet forever again.
Dwayne Byrum
04/02/2014 at 11:35 am
Concerning the VW Galaxy S5 info/pre-order issue: I have never seen a company so blatantly ignore their customer base as much as Verizon Wireless has in my life…Verizon Wireless has a new top rating: #1 at making customers feel abandoned/their business is completely insignificant.