Several versions of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S3 smartphone will be delayed because of manufacturing problems, the company has confirmed.
Image 1 of 4Samsung Galaxy S3
Image 1 of 4Samsung Galaxy S3 Reports began surfacing online overnight that the mobile phone network Vodafone would not be able to deliver all models of the popular S3 device on time. However, Samsung has now confirmed that the delay is not limited to Vodafone and will affect all UK phone retailers.
In a statement the company said: “In order to meet the highest internal quality standards and to provide the best quality Galaxy SIII to customers, a short supply of Pebble Blue versions is expected in some regions in the next 2-3 weeks.”
Samsung told technology website ZDNet that the delays were a result of the “newly invented blue colour and special hyper glaze material”. However, this explanation does not explain why the 32GB white version of the phone, which is exclusive to Vodafone, will also be delayed.
Vodafone, T-Mobile and O2 have so far confirmed that the delay will affect them with a Vodafone spokesman saying: “All customers who have pre-ordered the white 16GB version of the Samsung Galaxy SIII should expect to receive their new phone on the UK launch date, May 30. However, we’ve been advised of shipping delays for the 32GB marble white and the 16 and 32GB pebble blue versions.
“We’re working closely with Samsung to ensure devices reach our customers as soon as possible and will be contacting them directly to advise them on their order’s progress.”
A spokesman for O2 has said: “Samsung has said there is a worldwide shortage of blue Samsung Galaxy S3s so they will be available in extremely limited numbers. The white version will be available from all O2 channels on 30 May."
T-Mobile has said: “We can confirm we have received stock of the white variant of the handset and expect to be able to fulfil all the pre-orders we've received for this device at launch. However, we've been advised by the manufacturer of a shipping delay on the pebble blue version.
“Although we expect to receive stock shortly, we are contacting customers who have pre-ordered this colour to let them know that there may be a slight delay, and to reassure them we will look to fulfil their order as swiftly as possible."
The S3 features a 4.8” display, one of the largest on the market, and the ability to automatically initiate a call to a contact onscreen when the phone is held up to its user’s face. Samsung has also added voice control, similar to Apple’s ‘personal assistant’ Siri, and will offer 50GB of online storage via a partnership with Dropbox.com.
Samsung has also announced that the device will be the official phone of the London Olympics, and said that “a limited edition showcase device enabled with Visa’s mobile payment application, Visa payWave, will be available for Samsung and Visa sponsored athletes and trialists”.
At an estimated figure of 9 million pre-orders, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is the most popular phone of 2012 so far.
