Both Sprint Nextel (S) and T-Mobile are seeing slight delays with launching the new Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone that was unveiled in March. The device was scheduled for retail launch this month, but inventory issues are hindering availability.
A T-Mobile spokesperson provided the following statement:
We know customers are really looking forward to getting their new Samsung Galaxy S 4 soon. However, due to an unexpected delay with inventory deliveries, the Galaxy S 4 will not be available on www.T-Mobile.com as planned today. Instead, online availability is expected to begin on Monday, April 29. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working with Samsung to deliver the device to T-Mobile customers as soon as possible.
A Sprint spokesperson provided the following statement:
Sprint is excited to launch the new Samsung Galaxy 4. We had planned to launch this next generation of the award-winning Samsung Galaxy line-up on Saturday, April 27. Unfortunately, due to unexpected inventory challenges from Samsung, we will be slightly delayed with our full product launch. Sprint is one of Samsung's largest partners and we are working closely with them to launch in all Sprint channels as soon as possible. We expect to make GS4 available at www.sprint.com and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) as planned on Saturday with Sprint retail stores and other channels receiving devices as inventory becomes available.
Sprint said it was trying to work through the inventory challenges as soon as feasible. In contrast, rival AT&T (T -0.92%) has reportedly begun taking delivery of inventory slightly ahead of schedule, with pre-order deliveries arriving as early as April 25. Verizon (VZ -0.85%) Wireless will open Galaxy S4 pre-orders for tomorrow, with no specified shipping dates.
