The delay is likely due to certain customizations, on the inside and outside, carriers are requesting. But, if you must have Samsung's latest hot phone now, you can get one unlocked from Amazon . But if you're patient, you'll be able to get one for much less on a contract when it arrived stateside.

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First, a quick S III refresher: the Android 4.0 smartphone features a , 1GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel camera and a quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos processor. Note that the US version of the phone is likely to feature a different, dual-core processor in order to accommodate 4G LTE connectivity.

Reviewing for , Vlad Savov says the Samsung Galaxy S III is "a technological triumph." He praised the camera, saying it's "easily the best I've used on an Android device," but pointed that "the extra-large size of this phone, even with its great ergonomics, may prove to be a stumbling block for those who can't comfortably fit a 4.8-inch handset into their daily routine."

A review also mentions the S III's bulkiness, despite its thin profile. "You'll definitely have to forget about the comfort of using it with one hand only. But that's the way it is with this new breed of Android superphones. If you want to have a giant touchscreen, then you'll have to put up with having a giant phone."