Samsung Galaxy S III lined up for sale

Samsung has already received 9 million pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S III and all major UK mobile phone networks will offer the keenly-anticipated smartphone when it launches on 30 May.

According to the Korea Economic Daily, Samsung has already received more than 9 million pre-orders for the handset from more than 100 operators around the globe. In the UK, O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange and Three all confirmed to ZDNet UK that they will be stocking the Android Ice Cream Sandwich-based handset on a range of contacts.

The handset is available to pre-order on a range of contracts from most operators, all of which include options for customers to get their hands on the smartphone with no up-front charge.

For example, Orange and T-Mobile are offering the Galaxy SIII for free on a 24-month contract with a £36 per month commitment. Vodafone customers will need to agree to a £41 per month commitment, whereas O2 requires a £46 per month agreement for the handset to come without an up-front charge.

Three is currently offering the cheapest option to get the phone without a one-off charge, with its One Plan at £34 per month, which includes an unlimited data allowance.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is available in 16GB and 32GB variants but Vodafone confirmed it has secured exclusivity on the 32GB version for one month after launch.

The 16GB SIM-free version of the device are also available to pre-order from sites such as Amazon, Play.com and Carphone Warehouse for £499. Phones4U is also offering a SIM-free 16GB version, but it is priced at £599.

The handset is set for widespread release on 30 May, but customers that pre-ordered the device from the Westfield Stratford City store in London can pick up the handset from the 29 May. Image credit: Ben Woods