MetroPCS said it will offer its customers the contract-free version of the Galaxy S3 smartphone for $499 from Oct. 22.

"MetroPCS Communications, Inc. announced today that it is offering consumers more choice and value as the only no annual contract 4GLTE wireless service provider to offer the Galaxy S III, Samsung's best-selling premium Android^TM smartphone," stated the Oct. 19 press release.

The Galaxy S3 will be available over the weekend in select stores. Come Monday, Oct. 22, the hugely-successful Samsung smartphone will be retailed from MetroPCS stores and online at its official Web site .

"We are excited to make the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone available to our no annual contract subscribers," said Tom Keys, president and chief operating officer of MetroPCS. "With roughly one million 4G LTE customers already, we recognize that many want a premier smartphone that offers an array of high-end features and runs on our 4G LTE network. Available with any of our 4G LTE service plans, this smartphone offers a postpaid experience at a tremendous value to our consumers."

MetroPCS, along with Sprint's Boost Mobile, is one of the major companies that provides long-term commitment-free mobile phone service. Currently, MetroPCS offers four other Samsung phones: Contour 2, Freeform 3, Admire Red, and Galaxy S Lightray 4G. The Galaxy S3 will be MetroPCS' second offering from Samsung's Galaxy line-up of devices. What's more, the Galaxy S3 at $499 is not very expensive, when compared to the $459 price tag sported by MetroPCS' Galaxy S Lightray which does not pack in very high-end features.

The MetroPCS upfront pricing is a bit higher when compared to the subsidized prices offered by carriers like Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. However, the company asserts that users can save between $1,200 and $2,000 over a two-year period if they opt for the month-to-month plan. The company's monthly service plan offers users $55 per month of unlimited talk time, texts, and 4G option or a basic LTE plan that starts at $30.

" Priced at $499 plus tax, the Galaxy S III is available on any of MetroPCS' affordable 4GLTE service plans, which range from $30 - $70 per month, including the limited-time promotional plans of 4G LTE for $30 or unlimited talk, text and 4GLTE data for $55 per month (taxes and regulatory fees included)," noted the company.

MetroPCS will offer the dual-core LTE-enabled version of the Galaxy S3, which features a 1.5GHZ Snapdragon S4 processor and 2GB of RAM. Other specification of the smartphone remain similar to other versions.