Samsung cites ‘overwhelming demand’ as reason for Galaxy S 4 delays

Sprint and T-Mobile, citing inventory “challenges” faced by Samsung, are delaying the rollout of Galaxy S 4 smartphones.

Sprint said it will not sell the phone in its store this Saturday as originally planned. It did not say when the phone would be available in stores. It will take online orders Saturday, but Sprint also did not say when phones ordered online would ship to customers. Sprint is selling the phone for $250 with a two-year contract.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile said customers will not be able to order the phone online Wednesday as scheduled. Online orders will begin Monday instead. T-Mobile did not say when phones ordered online would ship or when it will be in stores. T-Mobile is selling the phone for $150 down plus 24 payments of $20, or $630 total, for “well-qualified” buyers.

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AT&T;, however, doesn’t appear to be having any inventory issues. The phone will be available in stores Saturday. It can also be purchased online now, but AT&T; won’t ship the phone until April 30. The phone goes for $200 with a two-year contract. Pre-orders will ship April 30, according to the carrier’s website, but eager users can get the GS4 in stores Saturday.

Verizon said it will begin taking pre-orders for the device Thursday. Verizon did not say when it would ship, though the phone will be in stores May 30. It is selling the phone for $250 with a two-year contract and there’s a mail in rebate to get $50 off the device.

Samsung on Wednesday said some wireless carriers will not be getting the phones as scheduled because of “overwhelming” demand.

“We expected to meet demands in the coming weeks,” Samsung said in a statement.

The Galaxy S 4 is a follow-up to Samsung’s popular Galaxy S III smartphone.

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