Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon Variant No Longer Available In 32GB; Carrier Releases List Of Discontinued Devices

Earlier this week, the wireless carrier released its official list of devices that will not live to see the rest of 2013. The carrier will continue to sell the entry level 16GB version of the Galaxy S3, but the version with twice the storage space will soon be obsolete for Verizon subscribers. The carrier didn’t give any reasoning for cutting the 32GB Galaxy S3 from its roster, but it’s possible that the heftier price tag deterred potential buyers from the device.

Verizon has received its final shipments of the Galaxy S3 32GB variant and will continue to sell the handset until its inventory is depleted. In addition to the Samsung-branded smartphone, other devices on the chopping block include the BlackBerry Curve 9370, HTC Trophy, LG Lucid, Motorola Droid 4 and Motorola Razr 16GB. The carrier is also discontinuing HTC’s Rezound, but, unlike the other “end of life” handsets, HTC’s device is already completely out of stock.

While this may seem like a strange move for Verizon, eliminating the 32GB Galaxy S3 keeps its entire collection of Samsung phones consistent. The S3 is the only Verizon Samsung phone that comes in more than one storage capacity. The Korea-based company’s most recent “phablet” release, the Galaxy Note 2, only comes with 16GB despite its reputation as a multitasking hybrid handset.

However, Verizon does stock the Galaxy S3’s biggest competition -- Apple’s iPhone 5 -- in three storage capacities. Subscribers can choose to purchase the lasted Apple smartphone in 16GB, 32GB or 64GB.

In terms of other mobile carriers, AT&T is the only other network provider that doesn’t offer the Galaxy S3 in 32GB. Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular stock the phone in both storage capacities, according to their official websites.

Samsung’s Galaxy S3 debuted in May and went on to become arguably one of the best smartphones of 2012. In fact, a recent “mystery shopper” survey indicated that British retail employees are more likely to recommend the Galaxy S3 over any other device when shopping for smartphones, including the iPhone 5. The data comes from research and training firm Informa Telecoms & Media, according to Digital Trends.

“The mystery shop showed that the most recommended Samsung handsets were the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2, despite having been on the market longer than the latest handsets from Apple, Nokia and HTC,” Informa research analyst Julian Jest said in reference to the findings. “However, most surprising was the way that, despite an in-store advertising campaign and recent product launch, Apple was recommended in only two stores, 3 and Phones 4 U, with both recommending the iPhone 5.”

Samsung has sold more than 40 million units of its Galaxy S3 since launch, competing with Apple, which sold nearly 50 million iPhones during the last quarter of 2012. The Galaxy-brand manufacturer is rumored to release its next-generation Galaxy S4 handset this spring, but this has yet to be confirmed.