AT&T; to begin taking pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy S 4 on April 16

AT&T; will begin taking pre-orders for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S 4 smartphone on April 16. But the Texas-based carrier declined to say when pre-order customers would get the device or when it would be available in stores.

AT&T; said the GS4 will start at $249.99 with a two-year contract. It did not specify how much storage space that would include.

The GS4 is the follow-up phone to 2012’s popular Galaxy S III, which was able to rise above other Android smartphones and hold its own against Apple’s iPhone. The GS4 is designed similarly to its predecessor, but it features a slightly larger 5-inch screen, a more powerful processor, improved cameras and a flurry of new software features.

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AT&T; is the first U.S. carrier to announce a pre-order date and how much it will be charging for the Samsung flagship smartphone.

Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile have also said they will sell the Galaxy S 4. Verizon and Sprint haven’t announced any details on the device yet. T-Mobile announced earlier this week that it will have the Samsung phone starting May 1.

The Galaxy S 4 is Samsung’s response to Apple’s iPhone 5 and enters a crowded market that includes the upcoming HTC One, another Android smartphone that has been receiving praise from critics, and the LG Optimus G Pro.

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