Get excited, T-Mobile keyboard addicts, because Magenta has officially taken the wraps off of the Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G. The Relay 4G features a sliding five-row QWERTY keyboard, and for those times that call for a brief message, there's also a 4-inch Super AMOLED display. Also on the front is a 1.3-megapixel camera, and flipping around back will reveal the Relay 4G's 5-megapixel shooter. Other Galaxy S Relay 4G specs include a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor, 42Mbps HSPA+ connectivity and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

As far as availability goes, T-Mobile says that the Galaxy S Relay 4G will launch "in the coming weeks" for an undisclosed price. Obviously there's still a bit of mystery surrounding the Relay 4G and its release details, but considering how slim the QWERTY smartphone pickings are on T-Mobile right now, I'm guessing that many folks shopping for an Android handset with a physical keyboard are just happy to see a new phone announced. As usual, we'll give you the nitty-gritty details on the Relay 4G and its launch as soon as we get 'em. We've got T-Mobile's full announcement of the device below to help pass the time until then.

T-Mobile Continues to Expand Popular Samsung Galaxy Lineup With the Samsung Galaxy S® Relay™ 4G

Exclusive to T-Mobile, the Android-powered Galaxy S Relay 4G offers another choice for customers who want to stay connected no matter where their job or life takes them

Bellevue, Wash. — Sep. 6, 2012

2012-09-06 00:28:52

T-Mobile USA, Inc., the No. 1 mobile operator brand in Samsung Galaxy S™ sales, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy S® Relay™ 4G — a T-Mobile® exclusive and the newest smartphone to join T-Mobile’s popular Galaxy S® portfolio. Powered by Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Galaxy S Relay 4G leverages T-Mobile’s fast 4G (HSPA+ 42) network, allowing consumers to quickly and efficiently balance business productivity with entertainment and play on one device.

The Galaxy S Relay 4G is also a SAFE™ (Samsung Approved for Enterprise)-designated device that offers a full portfolio of enterprise-ready features and capabilities. Samsung SAFE offers comprehensive IT Policy support for top-tier mobile device management (MDM) solutions, on-device AES-256 bit encryption, and enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®, as well as integrated support for a range of virtual private network solutions. The Galaxy S Relay 4G also boasts a full 5-row QWERTY keyboard and 1.5-GHz Dual-Core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S3 processor that enables business customers to accurately and quickly view and edit documents and share files instantly. The smartphone also features Wi-Fi Calling and support for Smartphone Mobile HotSpot for up to five devices with a qualifying rate plan.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for a powerful device that makes it easy to integrate their busy work and personal lives,” said Andrew Morrison, vice president of product management, T-Mobile USA. “The Galaxy S Relay 4G is the perfect addition to T-Mobile’s popular Galaxy smartphone lineup, providing our customers with a reliable and business-centric Android experience — and the easy access to entertainment for which Galaxy devices are known.”

In addition to its business features, the Galaxy S Relay 4G makes it easy to enjoy entertainment on its 4-inch, Super AMOLED™ screen. The new smartphone includes a number of compelling features, such as T-Mobile TV in mobile HD2 for watching live TV programming, Samsung Media Hub for renting and buying the latest movies and TV shows, and Google Play Music for streaming and purchasing music. The Galaxy S Relay 4G also makes capturing photos and HD videos a breeze with its 5-megapixel rear camera, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and 720p HD camcorder (1280x720) resolution.

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G is expected to be available nationwide at T-Mobile retail stores, select national retailers and dealers, and online via www.T-Mobile.com in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.T-Mobile.com.   

1 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012, and Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.

2 Mobile HD TV can deliver a bit rate of 800kbps and 16:9 resolution; the bit rate and resolution you experience will vary based on many factors, e.g., programming and network connection. 

4G when used in connection with the Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G refers to the fact that the device can operate on T-Mobile’s 4G network

Samsung, Galaxy, Galaxy S, Super AMOLED and Samsung Approved for Enterprise (SAFE) are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

Samsung SAFE Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG TELECOMMUNICATIONS AMERICA, LLC, AND THEIR AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO HEREIN AS THE “SAMSUNG ENTITIES”) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, INTEROPERABILITY OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, WITH RESPECT TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY PROTECTION, SAFE™ APPROVED DEVICES AND SAFE™ APPROVED APPLICATIONS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE SAMSUNG ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY PROTECTION, SAFE™ APPROVED DEVICES OR SAFE™ APPROVED APPLICATIONS. In addition, information technology security protection will be affected by features or functionality associated with, among other things the e-mail platform, master data management, and virtual private network solutions selected by the software provider, solution provider or user.  Choice of an e-mail, master data management, and virtual private network solution is at the sole discretion of the software provider, solution provider or user and any associated effect on information technology security protection is solely the responsibility of the software provider, solution provider or user. For complete statement of limited warranty, please refer to www.samsung.com/us/safe, available on the web and where Samsung smartphone and Galaxy Tab™ devices are sold.