Galaxy Alpha is more expensive than the Galaxy S5, iPhone 5S

THE SAMSUNG GALAXY ALPHA will cost more than the Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5S when it goes on sale next month, according to a UK retailer.

Mobiles.co.uk revealed on Monday that it will sell the Galaxy Alpha on tariffs with O2 from £40 per month, complete with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of data.

Despite the handset having a mid-range HD 720p display, this pricing makes the handset more expensive than both the flagship Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5S.

At the retailer's website, the Galaxy S5 can be picked up on an O2 contract - with unlimited minutes, texts and 2GB of data - for £33 per moth, while the iPhone 5S is available on the same O2 contract as the Galaxy Alpha - with unlimited minutes, texts and 1GB of data - also from £33 per month.

As well as revealing that the Samsung Galaxy Alpha will cost more than most of its competitors, Mobiles.co.uk has claimed that the handset will start shipping on 12 September. Samsung is yet to confirm this date, but we have put the question to it.

The Galaxy Alpha, despite its HD 720p screen, does boast some higher end specifications, including Samsung's octa-core Exynos 5 chip under the bonnet, 32GB of internal storage and 2GB of RAM. There's also a 12MP rear-facing camera, a built-in fingerprint sensor, heart rate scanner and a 1,850mAh battery.

Much like its cheaper Galaxy S5 predecessor, the handset will be made available in black, white, blue and gold colour options, with Mobiles.co.uk set to offer all four.

-theinquirer.net