Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Stellar brings Android 4.0 for free

Verizon Wireless today announced that the Samsung Galaxy Stellar will join its smartphone roster in but a few days time. Offered for free after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year service agreement, the handset arrives online and in retail stores on September 6.

As we've learned over the last few weeks, the Galaxy Stellar runs Android 4.0 and features a 4-inch WVGA (800x480 pixel) display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a 3.2-megapixel rear camera, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and microSD expansion card slot. Call me crazy, but I can't believe this is what constitutes an entry-level smartphone.

Rounding things out, the 4G LTE device also comes with support for your typical Android connections such as GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. And inside, the Galaxy Stellar comes with a host of Amazon applications (Kindle, MP3, Shopping), yet still comes with the full suite of Google titles.

The Samsung handset features a Starter Mode, which is designed to help new Android users get their footing, something we expected with recent rumors. Also, as is the case with other recent Samsung devices, the Galaxy Stellar is a S.A.F.E. (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) approved phone that offers on-device AES-256 bit encryption, enhanced Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support, and tools for Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM).

We'll have a full review as soon as the Galaxy Stellar lands in your hands.