Online retailer Expansys may have beaten Vodafone to the chase by launching the Samsung i620 device before what was supposed to be the mobile operator's exclusive UK release. Vodafone was expected to launch the handset onto the UK market "soon", but Expansys has said it can deliver the device to Joe Consumer from 22 August.

Expansys looks to be the first port of call

Of course, Vodafone may choose to bring the handset onto the market before this date, but Expansys has dealt the company a second blow by also proclaiming that it can provide Samsung's latest mobile unlocked, allowing it to be used with a SIM card from any UK or European GSM network.

The Samsung i630 retails from Expansys for £340 (€430/$680).