Nexus 4 oversold, customers receiving backorder notice
updated 07:12 pm EST, Thu November 15, 2012
Nexus 4 customers told to expect three weeks to ship
The LG-built Nexus 4 smartphone debuted to a quick sell-out this week, and reportedly some customers have begun receiving word that shipments of their devices will be delayed. Google has been sending out email notifications to some Nexus 4 customers informing them that, due to "overwhelming demand," their Nexus 4 units are on backorder. The units are expected to ship within three weeks.
The notifications seem to confirm that Google oversold the device, either through overestimating its own supply or through a technical error in the ordering process for the Google Play Store. Anecdotes from launch day indicate that some users, even after the product page informed them that the device was sold out, were able to place an order for the Nexus 4 by repeatedly refreshing the page, whereupon it would sometimes appear as "in stock."
The Nexus 4 debuted to considerable interest due in part to the fact that it is sold unlocked at a price point lower than many subsidized smartphones. Google is said to be heavily subsidizing the device in order to grow market share for the Nexus brand.
