Samsung squashes rumors of Galaxy S4 early 2013 launch

Customers eagerly awaiting Samsung's Galaxy S 4 may face a longer wait than reported yesterday. The Korean handset maker today denied rumors that the next Galaxy S phone would launch next March. Loosely translated, Samsung's Twitter post stated: "Please note that some media reported speculation that the Galaxy S3 subsequent models will be released in a simple rumor is not true. Fixed'm not doing anything, why spread these rumors?" The rumors spread yesterday after an unnamed Samsung official told the Korea Times that the company is ready to launch the Galaxy S4 at next February's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The device itself would then reach consumers a month later. Related stories Samsung Galaxy S4 to debut in February Samsung Galaxy S III review Samsung to launch 64GB Galaxy S3 in second half of year Samsung: Galaxy S3 sales to surpass 30 million this year Assuming Samsung is not just being coy, a launch of the next Galaxy S phone next March would seem a bit soon. The Galaxy S3 debuted just this past May. Samsung also plans to unveil a 64GB version of the Galaxy S3 sometime before the end of the year, at least internationally. Sales of the Galaxy S3 jumped to 20 million in just the first 100 days. The company also expects sales to surpass 30 million by year's end. Samsung would likely want to get more mileage out of the current model before so quickly introducing a new one, or at least not tip its hand so far in advance. CNET contacted Samsung for comment and will update the story if we receive further information. Topics:Smartphones, Android Tags:smartphones, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Samsung Lance Whitney Lance Whitney wears a few different technology hats--journalist, Web developer, and software trainer. He's a contributing editor for Microsoft TechNet Magazine and writes for other computer publications and Web sites.