Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date: T-Mobile And U.S. Cellular First Since They Don't Carry The iPhone 5

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is on its way to the United States - the problem is we'll have to wait for it. While it has already started releasing internationally, U.S. carriers are still adding some last minute tweaks (and you can bet, bloatware) to the device before it launches in late October. 

If we can learn anything, however, from the Galaxy S3 launch earlier this year, expect the launch to be staggered across carriers, with T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular offering the phones first since they do not carry the Apple iPhone 5. 

U.S. Cellular has already started taking online-only pre-orders, listing the phone at $299.99 for a 16GB Galaxy Note 2 with a standard two-year contract. The pre-order states that " device is scheduled to ship by the end of October."

A T-Mobile press release from October 9 reads, "The smartphone 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."

In addition to the press release, a website TMONews found a leaked T-Mobile internal sales document that lists the Galaxy Note 2 under "Product Launches" and states a release date of "10/24." October 24 is the same day that Samsung will be holding a Galaxy Note 2 launch event in New York City. 

So far AT&T and Sprint have mentioned the Galaxy Note 2, but alongside Verizon, have failed to give solid release dates. We can expect all five carriers to do their best to get the Galaxy Note 2 out as early as possible to the October 24 launch date, but possible supply shortages since the U.S. version is the same as the international one, and focus on the iPhone 5 could make T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular the first ones off the starting line.