Samsung Galaxy S3 Release Date For Verizon Users And Canadian Markets Delayed, Verizon To Get Roaming Software After Launch

The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S3, which has already racked up 9 million pre-order sales globally, has pushed back its release date in Canada and for Verizon buyers. Users in Canada will have to wait until June 27 for Samsung's flagship device, and Verizon subscribers won't be able to get the phone until July 10.

According to MotoringCrunch, the new launch date for Canadian customers is seven days later than expected. The Korea-based company released an official statement announcing the delay:

Due to an unprecedented global demand for the highly anticipated Samsung GALAXY S III, with more than 9 million carrier pre-orders to date, the date of availability for purchase of this device in Canada is now June 27^th. In advance of the Galaxy S III availability date, most carriers and retailers are offering customers the chance to register on-line for updates, and some partners are offering their customers the option to pre-order the Galaxy S III. We expect any shortages to be short lived as we ramp up production to meet this unprecedented global demand.

For Verizon users, on the other hand, the release date is only pushed back by one day, according to iTechPost. The original availability for Verizon was expected to be July 9, and it is now said to be available on July 10. This is the second time the launch has been delayed on Verizon's network. The Galaxy S3 was intended to be released at the end of June along with its competitors AT&T, which will get the new phone on June 18, and Sprint, which has a release date of June 21.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has already debuted in other countries globally, such as the UK, India and Australia. The reason behind the Verizon delay could be that the carrier plans to launch its own cloud storage service in the future, as iTechPost speculates.

But beyond the device's release date, there are other carrier-related inconveniences that users may experience. CNet writer Danny Sullivan questions whether customers will be able to use the new phone with both Verizon and AT&T services. In the past, switching between major networks wasn't difficult because the two companies used different technologies for 2G and 3G connections. Verizon uses CDMA while ATT uses GSM.

However, with 4G connectivity, both carriers are using LTE to broadcast signals, CNet reports. Since they're both using different parts of the radio spectrum, this could rule out the possibility that a Verizon phone will be able to work with AT&T.

Verizon did address the issue of roaming, and it issued a statement to CNet that said the Galaxy S3 will be ready for GSM roaming after a software update that will roll out sometime post-launch. This update means that customers will not have to call Verizon to unlock their phone if they wish to use a local SIM while travelling.

Those waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S3 had a scare recently when Apple attempted to place a court ban on the phone. However, the phone will launch on schedule in the U.S. as Calif. District Judge Lucy Koh denied this ban. Apple plans to defend its mobile patents for the iPhone at an upcoming case scheduled for June 21^st, according to SlashGear.