So you're understandably bummed about Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) shipping "defective" iPhones, and perhaps a little disappointed in the "any color, as long as it's black" selection of service providers for that beautiful gadget. Besides, an iPhone 4 ordered today won't ship for three weeks, and you need one now.
That's OK -- you still have a plethora of Android phones to choose from, and surely one of them could fill that black, empty void in your chest that the iPhone was supposed to fill. Right?
Well, no -- probably not. Most of the top-of-the-line Android handsets are just as sold-out as the iPhone. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless says that the HTC Droid Incredible with its pretty OLED screen is sold out, with more coming in by Aug. 3. OK, so how about the HTC EVO 4G from Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), sporting a massive screen and the first 4G connectivity on the market? "Sorry, this device is so hot we can't keep it on our virtual shelves. Check back later -- more are on their way!"
Hmm. Wait, didn't Verizon launch another Droid model on Thursday? The Droid X, made by Motorola (NYSE: MOT), looks at least as powerful as the EVO 4G, only with a different network deal. Nope, that one ships in a week or so. That's despite Verizon bending over backward to avoid another undersupply situation, stocking stores and warehouses to the rafters with alien technology.
Perhaps your best bet would be one of many Samsung Galaxy S variants, then. It's due to land on -- count 'em -- six of America's largest networks in the near future. That includes both Verizon and AT&T (NYSE: T), wannabes Sprint and T-Mobile, and even regional vendors U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) and Cellular South.
But ... well, only T-Mobile has actually launched its Galaxy S yet, and the others will drop in anywhere from "summer" to "early fall." And these phones, which look rather comparable to the Droid X or EVO 4G in most respects, will also feature those shortage-inducing OLED screens. Sure, Samsung is the leading OLED display manufacturer and will probably save lots of material for itself, but it's still a material in short supply.
In short, smartphones are going through some growing pains right now as demand outstrips supply any way you look at it. Most of the market makers are established Brobdingnagians, but this still looks like a great time to start investing in the smartphone concept.
Which phone are you drooling over today? Discuss in the comments box below.
