The forth-generation Nexus smartphone from Google is, not surprisingly, the Nexus 4.  This Android-powered phone is built by LG, and offers many high-end features in a relatively inexpensive package.

T-Mobile will sell the Nexus 4 for $199 with a two-year contract; no surprise there.  But Google also sells an unlocked GSM version for $100 more.  That’s a brand new, unlocked Nexus phone for $299 with no contract. 

Features include a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 4.7-inch touchscreen, an 8MP primary camera, NFC, and the latest version of the Android OS, v4.2 "Jelly Bean." The phone is available with either 8GB or 16GB of internal flash storage.  However, it does not have LTE.

The Nexus 4 is getting great, glowing reviews.

Learn more about the LG Nexus 4 smartphone here…

Nokia’s adoption of Windows Phone has, as yet, yielded less than outstanding results, but the company is pressing on, planning to announce two Windows Phone 8 handsets at a press event scheduled for September 5th, just as Microsoft finalizes the second full version of their smartphone OS.

The first Windows Phone 8 smartphones on Nokia’s calendar are said to be codenamed Arrow and Phi, both in the Lumia family that now includes the Lumia 900 and Lumia 710.  It’s possible that the Arrow and Phi will be given similar numerical names upon release.

AT&T will be selling the Phi, a high-end model similar to the Lumia 900, with LTE onboard.  The Arrow, a mid-range Windows Phone 8 handset from Nokia, will debut at both AT&T and T-Mobile according to The Verge – LTE details unknown.

Nokia is also rumored to have a CDMA/LTE Windows Phone 8 device, codenamed Atlas, in the works.  It will be headed for Verizon later this year. 

The Samsung Galaxy S III / Galaxy S3 Android phone is available from each of the four major U.S. wireless carriers, a rare thing in the world of smartphones.  What isn’t so rare is that three of the four carriers (other than T-Mobile) are selling the 16GB models of the S III for the exact same price on contract: $199 after various promotions, rebates, etc.

But the carriers are getting a great deal of competition from third-party sellers. 

The best  price comes from Amazon for the Sprint 16GB Galaxy S III.  If you’re signing up for a new account, Amazon Wireless has the phone for $119 with free shipping; if you’re already a Sprint customer, the upgrade price is $149.

Want the AT&T version?  The price at Amazon Wireless is $149 for an upgrade, $189 for a new account.  The Verizon Galaxy S III at Amazon is $149, whether you’re upgrading or signing up for a new account.

By the way – if you do want the T-Mobile version of the Samsung Galaxy S III but don’t want to pay the higher $279 price, WireFly has the phone for $199. 

The Android Samsung Galaxy S III superphone was by no means a secret before today, but this is the day we got official details for three of the four major U.S. wireless carriers’ plans for the handset.

Sprint and T-Mobile announced this morning that their own versions of the Galaxy S III will ship on June 21 – just a few weeks from now.  Each carrier will offer both 16GB and 32GB versions of the S III, and each will have a dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM.  The price will be $199 and $249 respectively, and the phone will be available in either blue or white.  Pre-orders begin soon. 

Verizon will also begin selling the Samsung S III “in the coming weeks”  with 2GB of RAM and a dual-core 1.5GHz processor onboard.  Pre-orders begin June 6th. While the press release didn’t give an exact date, chances are the LTE Verizon version will be available for sale around June 21. Same price tiers, $199 for 16GB and $249 for 32GB.

Other features of the Samsung S III include Android 4.0, a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display, an 8MP primary camera, and a 2MP front-facing camera. 

Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S III Android 4.0 Smartphone…

UPDATE – AT&T has joined in, too.  The Galaxy S III is taking over!

On March 21st, T-Mobile will launch the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, follow-up to last year’s Galaxy S 4G.  The new phone features a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 SoC, improved graphics, and support for T-Mobile’s HSDA+42 data network.

The Galaxy S Blaze 4G has a slightly smaller screen than its predecessor, 3.97-inches rather than 4-inches.  Other features remain largely unchanged as well such as the screen resolution and primary camera specs. 

The Blaze will begin appearing in select T-Mobile retail stores next Wednesday with a direct price of $149 after a $50 rebate. Nationwide availability will come the following week.

Learn more about the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G…