“Nexus Experience” Models of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Up For Sale on Google Play This Wednesday

Starting this Wednesday (June 26), fans of the stock experience will rejoice as Google has teamed up with Samsung and HTC to offer up both of their 2013 flagship smartphones as “Nexus experience” devices that run stock Android. Both devices will receive updates directly from Google like a Nexus, and will be sold through Google Play.

Samsung was the first to jump on the bandwagon by announcing at Google’s  I/O event in May that the Galaxy S4 “Nexus experience” would be up for grabs through Google Play for $649 without contract. The handset still offers the same spec lineup as the U.S. portfolio of GS4 models, but also connects to both AT&T and T-Mobile’s LTE network, has an unlocked bootloader, and 16GB of storage. While it looks and feels exactly the same to the GS4 that we all know and love, it’s the stock Android 4.2.2 software that will set it apart. 

HTC followed Samsung’s lead and made their HTC One a part of the “Nexus experience” program. Android leader Sundar Pichai took to the D11 conference stage with the “Nexus experience” One in hand, announcing that it would also be available on June 26. The difference here being that the One would be available at a slightly lower price of $599.  This version of the One comes equipped with 32GB of internal storage, is compatible for both the AT&T and T-Mobile LTE networks, runs stock Android 4.2.2, updates as fast as a Nexus, and of course, comes with the sounds of Beats Audio.

So, who’s laying down part of their paycheck for one of these pure stock devices on Wednesday?

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