T-Mobile Galaxy Note II available today for $379.99, I'm upgrading to it from the GSIII

The Samsung Galaxy S III is one of my favorite all-time Android smartphones and I have been using it since July on T-Mobile. The Jelly Bean update is still not out so I am doing what Samsung hopes silly folks like me do and purchasing a Galaxy Note II that comes with Jelly Bean sometime today. I really enjoyed the first Galaxy Note and with the major updates from Samsung in the Note II this may be my perfect Android device.

As I often do, I sold my Galaxy S III via Twitter at a low price to move it out of my collection and help offset the cost of the Note II. T-Mobile announced this morning that the Note II is available today at stores and online in white and gray. I am leaning towards the gray one, but will have to see them in stores. T-Mobile is including EA's Need For Speed Most Wanted game and the Mogo I purchased just arrived yesterday so I will soon have a full review here for you on this combination.

I am excited to try out the S Pen updates, experience amazing battery life with the 3100 mAh battery, enjoy video on the large display, and hopefully get the best Android experience possible on a mobile phone. My MoTR podcast co-host and friend Kevin Tofel has the Galaxy Note II and says he rarely even picks up his Google Nexus 7 as this device meets his phone and tablet needs in one.

T-Mobile is selling the Note II for $249.99 with 20 equal payments of $20 per month (total price of $649.99) for Value plan customers and $369.99 for Classic plan customers, both with a 2-year agreement. I understand the full, no-contract price is $649.99 and that is how I plan to purchase mine today. However, if you want to save some money over this $369.99 subsidized price, then you should consider visiting the folks at Wirefly where you can buy the subsidized Galaxy Note II for just $279.99, a savings of $90! The Wirefly no contract price is $735.99.

Related ZDNet coverage

• Samsung adds major functionality to S Pen in Galaxy Note II
• The Samsung Galaxy Note is perfect for data centric consumers (review)
• US Samsung Galaxy S III owners to get Jelly Bean update in the coming months
• T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular announce Samsung Galaxy Note II coming soon
• Two weeks with iPhone 5, Galaxy Note 2, and HTC announcements (MobileTechRoundup show #278)
• Samsung Galaxy S III: Summer blockbuster defined by superstar software (review)