us cellular

Samsung Galaxy Axiom sneaks into U.S. Cellular lineup

U.S. Cellular this week quietly introduced another Android smartphone this week with the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Axiom.

Appearing on the carrier's Web site without even a press release, the Axiom runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and delivers a 4-inch 480x800-pixel WVGA display, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera. Additional details include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 2,100mAh battery, NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Astute readers will recognize that the Galaxy Axiom closely resembles the recently announced Galaxy S3 Mini. Save for its slightly faster processor and longer-lasting battery, it'… Read more

U.S. Cellular offers unlimited 4G LTE plan...for now

U.S. Cellular is jumping on the unlimited data bandwagon.

The carrier today announced a new unlimited data plan for customers living in one of its 4G LTE markets. For a limited time, customers can sign up for an unlimited 4G LTE plan for $40 per month with an option to add tethering for $20 more.

U.S. Cellular isn't likely to have much competition when it comes to higher wireless speeds; the company said it is the only provider to offer an unlimited 4G LTE option in most of its markets, having recently expanded in parts of Iowa, … Read more

U.S. Cellular expands LTE to more than 30 new markets

U.S. Cellular is expanding its 4G LTE coverage area to more than 30 new markets on Monday, extending the carrier's footprint for the high-speed network to more than half of its customers.

The rollout will bring LTE to select cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and brings new LTE coverage to some of U.S. Cellular's markets in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The next wave of market launches will follow shortly in Rockford, Ill., Medford, Ore., Yakima, Wash., and Knoxville, Tenn., the company said today.

By the end of … Read more

U.S. Cellular to offer Samsung Galaxy Note 2 starting Friday

Beginning Friday U.S. Cellular will offer the 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for $299.99.

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean device is available for preorder until tomorrow on the carrier's Web site.

Galaxy Note 2s that have already been preordered prior to that will begin shipping out tomorrow.

The handset is equipped with a 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED screen, which has a 1,280x720-pixel resolution and 267 pixels per inch.

Included within the device is an S Pen stylus that enables you to take full advantage of the large display.

It is also powered by … Read more

Low-price Huawei Ascend Y joins U.S. Cellular (hands-on)

Today, Huawei and U.S. Cellular announced the Huawei Ascend Y, a budget Android smartphone for first-timers. A few weeks ago, I got to briefly handle the Muve Music device.

With its Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, the Ascend Y certainly isn't angling for tech-savvy users, or those ready to invest in a higher-cost handset. Its 3.5-inch touch screen definitely felt small compared with today's larger-screen phones, but its HVGA (480x320-pixel) resolution is appropriate for the display and looked fine. The Swype virtual keyboard will help compose text in tight spaces.

I didn't get an opportunity … Read more

Alcatel's Shockwave eats Gingerbread for U.S. Cellular

If you thought that we were long past the era of new Gingerbread phones, then U.S. Cellular has a surprise for you.

Today, the carrier announced the Alcatel Shockwave, a starter smartphone running Android 2.3. Yes, that means it comes almost a year after the first Ice Cream Sandwich handset, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, went on sale.

Though its design appears to be standard issue Android, Alcatel promises a "shock resistant casing, super tough" construction with Dragontrail glass (that's an alternative to Gorilla glass) over the 3.5-inch HVGA display. The water-resistant casing should stand … Read more

U.S. Cellular adds Samsung Metrix 4G to smartphone roster

U.S. Cellular today announced its latest smartphone, the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G. Available online for $179 after a $100 mail-in rebate, the handset arrives in retail stores on August 25.

In an effort to draw attention to its growing 4G LTE network, U.S. Cellular is offering a discounted price for consumers who live within its regional footprint. What's more, those markets expected to see 4G coverage by the end of 2012 get a sweeter deal, a $129 price tag after a $100 mail-in rebate. Sounds good, but what do you get for the money?

Details for … Read more

Missing the flip phone

This week I stepped back into the land of reviewing to test the Samsung Chrono 2 for U.S. Cellular. And, wow, what a trip it was.

With its basic calling features and retro design, the Chrono 2 took me back to a cell phone era that greeted me when I first joined CNET almost nine years ago. Before Android and the iPhone democratized the smartphone, most of us used a handset like the Chrono 2. You may have had a camera or Bluetooth, and you probably toyed with a wireless browser, but mostly we used the handsets for making … Read more

Samsung Galaxy S III hits Sprint, T-Mobile on June 21

Samsung Electronics' latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, will arrive at Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile USA on June 21.

At Sprint, the highly anticipated smartphone will cost $199.99 for the 16GB version, and $249.99 for the 32GB version. AT&T will sell also sell a 16GB version for $199.99 but will pair it with a 16GB micro SD card for $238.99. T-Mobile also confirmed it would arrive on the same day, but didn't provide pricing information.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T said it would take pre-orders on June 6, but Verizon only … Read more