Spoke with *UPPITY* sales clerk behind the AT&T corporate store in the Suburbs of NYC (Long Island, Hicksville) and was told the following:
"What happened to the Galaxy S II, I don't see it on the sales floor anymore?"
"Sorry it's been replaced by the newer, Skyrocket..."
"Didn't the Galaxy S II just get released a few weeks back @ $199 on October 2nd...?"
"Yes, it's obsolete now because the Skyrocket replaces it @ $149 so it's discontinued..."
I couldn't talk, I couldn't stand the way she just stared at me w/ a cavalier, uncaring look on her face when I exclaimed my displeasure that my brand new Galaxy S II was *DISCONTINUED*...
"Blah blah blah ... I'll be happy to refund the phone for you minus the $35 restocking fee...blah blah blah"
I'm upset at her ATTITUDE she showed, not at the Samsung Galaxy SII.. The Skyrocket is BIGGER, LAGGY and slightly FUZZIER display when compared to my S II SGH-I777 due to the 4.5 SUPERAMOLED screen. No FM radio BUT it does have Visual Voicemail as a built in app...
I ***GLAD*** I picked up my SHG-I777 when I did otherwise, it would be too late. Hopefully this salesclerk is off her rocker when she suggests that the SGH-I777 has been discontinued for any FENCE SITTERS out there... ??!???
My personal TAKE on WHY AT&T dropped the SGH-I777 are two:
1. it's because they don't want to take heat for the HPSA+ vs. 4G (LTE) radio that wasn't on the SGH-I777. Also I played with it on display and I *LOVE* my SLIM S II vs. the Skyrocket
2. Confusion on Joe and Jane public walking into the store, "Look honey, there's the new galaxy Sii for $199 no it's over here called the Skyrocket and it's $50 CHEAPER at $149..." (No TYPO, that's $149.00...)
BTW - I also saw the OTHER LTE phone the HTC (Sorry don't remember the Model # exactly) BUT it does have an ON BOARD FM tuner and HD screen very VERY sharp gives the iphone a better run for the money and I *think* it might be a slightly better display than the SGH-I777
Whew what a mouthful! At any rate, still LOVING and ROCKIN' my SGH-I777 don't have any regrets or buyer's remorse... Hopefully this will be a helpful read for one or two people out there...