Samsung Galaxy Tab S coasts into US retailers next week

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Samsung is wasting to time getting its latest iPad-busters onto store shelves in the United States, following up last Friday's preorder date with retail availability only two weeks later.

Samsung Mobile today announced the Wi-Fi only editions of the new Galaxy Tab S will touch down in US stores starting next Friday, June 27, with 4G LTE-equipped models expected later in the year.

Available in either dazzling white or titanium bronze, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and Galaxy Tab S 10.5 will be available from retailers Best Buy and Sears, priced at $399.99 and $499.99, respectively.

Housebound tablet buyers will also be able to purchase a new Tab S at BestBuy.com or Sears.com as well as Amazon.com and Samsung.com, with unnamed "other retailers" also on tap.

Experience it

For readers who need to see and feel a Galaxy Tab S before committing to a purchase, select Best Buy brick-and-mortar locations with Samsung Experience Stores will allow customers to get touchy-feely with the tablet before buying.

As the "only retailer to offer a sneak peek" at the new Tab S models, Best Buy stores will have both 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch units on hand to "see and test out."

Unfortunately, the wait will be even longer for buyers eyeing a Wi-Fi plus cellular model, which Samsung expects to begin shipping "later this year."

Carriers committed to offering LTE models of the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 include Sprint and T-Mobile US as well as Verizon Wireless, who will also sell the 8.4-inch model with LTE; AT&T is also listed as a partner, but Samsung offered no details on which models would be available on their network.

• Eyeing a Samsung Galaxy S5 to go with that new tablet? We've got a full review!