Google Unveils Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 Variant

At Google I/O in San Francisco on Wednesday, Hugo Barra, Android's VP product management announced an unlocked "Google Edition" of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone.

"What you're seeing here is real," Barra said. He showed the user interface of the smartphone (pictured below), which he says is the same as the interface Google sells on its Nexus devices. "It's Google's take on Android," Barr added, noting that it will be available directly through Google Play in the U.S.

For the most part, the device will remain largely the same. It will feature 4G LTE and 16GB of storage space.

However, the handset will offer a skinless Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Nexus experience, it will come with its bootloader already unlocked, and users will receive system updates as they come in.

This unlocked GS4 version will be available starting June 26 and will work on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. It can be purchased directly from the Google Play Store.

For many, the lack of a new branded-Nexus flagship item from Google is a disappointment. Especially considering the popularity of last year's $349 16GB LG Nexus 4 (8GB, $299).

However, a pure Android experience on the high-powered handset is still attractive, especially for those who do not fancy Samsung's oft-criticized TouchWiz user interface.

While it remains unclear just how much has been stripped away from this GS4 version, it'll be interesting to see if the vanilla Android GS4 turns out to be more enticing than the original.