Now with more fingerpointing: Nexus 4 Shortages due to Poor Estimates by Google

[RampantAndroid]

I don't think I'm a nutball for wanting a phone that is stock and not bloated with silly custom UIs. Or a phone that gets regular updates, not one update 8 months later that will probably be it's only update. But then I've been called worse things.

This. There's nothing wrong with wanting updates, it's why I've got CM10.1/4.2.1 on my Galaxy S3 - I'm not sure if Samsung has even pushed 4.1.2 out to every user LET ALONE STARTED on a 4.2.1 ROM.

 

[Mopetar]

Sorry that I'm going off course a bit now. But the hardware seemed pretty good. It was the software Google screwed up by locking it down to only Google services. Kinda surprised they didn't just combine that with Google TV and re-release the thing by now.

Yeah the hardware itself is fine, it's just that Google flubbed on making sure that the production was set up properly. They almost never have to worry about something like that, so it doesn't come as much of a shock that they messed up.

 

[Eug]

My (Canadian) Nexus 4 order has finally been cancelled. Yay!

Your purchase from Google Play has been cancelled. Any charges made will be refunded.

Order number:
Order date: Dec 3, 2012
Payment method:
Quantity Item Price
1 Nexus 4 (16GB) $359.00
Shipping: $16.99
Tax: $46.67
Total: $422.66

I'm not sure why it was cancelled now. I tried to cancel almost 6 weeks ago and was told the cancellation was impossible. So, I've just been waiting for the order to arrive. And then I finally got this letter today, nearly 7 weeks after my order was placed.

Maybe it's because orders from my order time are actually going out soon. My order said 7-8 weeks shipping. Or maybe they're finally realizing they shouldn't send units to people who tried to cancel - people who have already said they don't want the damn thing anymore.

Either way, it seems Google Play's online store still is quite screwed up for hardware sales.

---

As for Nexus 4 supply blame: I put most of the blame on Google. LG's claim is exactly what many of us had suspected - that Google completely miscalculated what the demand for the Nexus 4 would be, and now is expecting LG to fix Google's huge mistake.

Yeah, LG could ramp faster, but LG probably made its component purchases based on Google's order size, and LG probably uses a lot of those same components in its other products. I suspect the overall ramping speed issue is due in no small part to restrictions in component supply, and LG simply has decided they're not going to kill off Optimus G and other LG phone production to make the Nexus 4 just because Google couldn't get its numbers straight.

I'm glad LG came right out and said this, instead of just sucking up the blame Google had been attributing to them. As we've said before, it was just moronic for Google to think that a brand new top tier quad-core non-skinned Android smartphone wouldn't have significantly increased demand at $299.

BTW, before the Nexus 4 was announced, I had actually told my wife I'd guess a new Nexus would be priced at $499+ in Canada. Imagine my surprise when I found out when it was announced at CAD$309. At that point I knew it would sell like hotcakes. Boy was I ever wrong - it couldn't sell so well because there was just no supply... and that's mostly Google's fault for totally underestimating demand.

 

[Chiropteran]

Seriously? Apple sold/fulfilled preorders of 5 million in a three day period. The best estimates put N4 production at < 500,000 units thus far. These two are far cries from one another at this point.

Yes seriously. There has been a "shortage" of virtually every iPhone ever released. It's so well known that it's joked about on Futurama and Family Guy. The fact that they are up to the 5th version of the iPhone and the shortages are still newsworthy should be enough to show that Apple either does it on purpose or is completely inept at judging demand for their own products.

And yes, Google screwed up too. I am not denying it. I'm simply pointing out that Apple has been having the same problem basically since.... forever.

The number of produced units is irrelevant, what is important is that in both cases not enough were made.

 

[Kelvrick]

Yes seriously. There has been a "shortage" of virtually every iPhone ever released. It's so well known that it's joked about on Futurama and Family Guy. The fact that they are up to the 5th version of the iPhone and the shortages are still newsworthy should be enough to show that Apple either does it on purpose or is completely inept at judging demand for their own products.

And yes, Google screwed up too. I am not denying it. I'm simply pointing out that Apple has been having the same problem basically since.... forever.

The number of produced units is irrelevant, what is important is that in both cases not enough were made.

It is hard to say whether the apple shortages are by choice or if the artificial demand is just a good side effect. To build up their stock, they'd have to increase their production lines, which would cost money. After demand dies down, the extra investment probably isn't worth it since anyone who really wants an iphone will wait anyway.

The other option is to finalize the hardware sooner and start production, but then now your hardware will be a little older when it gets released or you won't have as much time to develop it. And its not like they're building a small amount like apparently google told LG to build, they're already getting millions of units ready.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Yes seriously. There has been a "shortage" of virtually every iPhone ever released. It's so well known that it's joked about on Futurama and Family Guy. The fact that they are up to the 5th version of the iPhone and the shortages are still newsworthy should be enough to show that Apple either does it on purpose or is completely inept at judging demand for their own products.

And yes, Google screwed up too. I am not denying it. I'm simply pointing out that Apple has been having the same problem basically since.... forever.

The number of produced units is irrelevant, what is important is that in both cases not enough were made.

The thing is, I'm not sure anyone could possibly meet the demands of everyone wanting an iPhone at launch. Shortages for popular products are expected, be it the iPhone 5 or the Nexus 4. What seems to be happening with the Nexus 4 however appears to be beyond excusable. I don't follow the iPhone really, but I think it's availability at this time frame was probably much better.

 

[Red Storm]

I'm thinking it's a combination screw up job between both Google and LG. Sucks for everyone who wanted one. I cashed out and made a very nice trade due to the non existent availability.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I'd say its both parties' faults.

Yep. LG should have been able to ramp up production by now. Google should have had the sense to think "Durr, I wonder if the demand for this supercheap unlocked, pentaband superphone will be high."

Oh well, I have mine.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Look at the bright side though. Since most people are still waiting on their phone, they aren't complaining the accessories still aren't here.

Wireless charger coming in February, it might arrive before the phone is in stock.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/01/17/nexus-4-wireless-charging-orb-release-pegged-for-february/

 

[Mopetar]

Yep. LG should have been able to ramp up production by now. Google should have had the sense to think "Durr, I wonder if the demand for this supercheap unlocked, pentaband superphone will be high."

Oh well, I have mine.

My guess is that Google placed their initial order and nothing else. After they sold out, Google went back to LG for more, but because LG had already made the run and didn't have an order in for more they most likely reallocated that production capacity to something else. So unless they cancel production on something else, there's no way for them to make more for Google until they have sufficient resources freed up to do another run.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

That won't happen.

The Nexus 5 rumours have to be some of the most ridiculous of late. Android Authority 'reported' them as "A Korean forum is apparently ready to spill the beans"

An internet forum. Yep.

Hey guys, next week I am totally revealing a top secret new iDevice. You heard it here first.

 

[Raduque]

I don't think I'm a nutball for wanting a phone that is stock and not bloated with silly custom UIs. Or a phone that gets regular updates, not one update 8 months later that will probably be it's only update. But then I've been called worse things.

You're only a nutball if you don't accept that other people don't want stock and would rather have the added features in Touchwiz or Sense.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

You're only a nutball if you don't accept that other people don't want stock and would rather have the added features in Touchwiz or Sense.

There are people out there who are into all kinds of weird stuff.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yes seriously. There has been a "shortage" of virtually every iPhone ever released. It's so well known that it's joked about on Futurama and Family Guy. The fact that they are up to the 5th version of the iPhone and the shortages are still newsworthy should be enough to show that Apple either does it on purpose or is completely inept at judging demand for their own products.

And yes, Google screwed up too. I am not denying it. I'm simply pointing out that Apple has been having the same problem basically since.... forever.

The number of produced units is irrelevant, what is important is that in both cases not enough were made.

Having 5 million units ready for a launch weekend means they're building WELL in advance. They build as many units a DAY as LG rolls out in a month probably for the Nexus 4. It's that big of a difference.

You're right Apple could do a better job, but we're talking moving 35 million units in Q4. How many Nexus 4s has LG/Google moved? 1/70th of that?

The point I've been trying to make is if you hate Apple's shortages, show me someone else who moves such large volumes. Furthermore, it wasn't hard to get an Apple iPhone during these shortages. I was facing a 3-4 week delay in October when I ordered mine online, but if you were persistent and went to the stores on a daily basis you could easily pick one up within a week.

Now compare to the Nexus 4. As much as you want one, the only option is to get ripped off on Craigslist/eBay or sit out for months. You have no store option, you have no other option.

The only really bad iDevice shortage to date has been the iPad 2, and that was mainly due to the tsunami. The iPhone 4 probably comes the closest, but let's not forget, they moved far more units on launch weekend than the Nexus 4 has seen to date, and probably will see til at least March 2013.

 

[magomago]

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/01/17/nexus-4-sales-should-resume-in-february/

Who believes it?
---


Just FYI, even if Apple purposely 'sells out to generate PR'....and lets assume they are, they are still doing it correctly - sell MILLIONS of phones in a couple days, MILLIONS more over the few weeks, and then move back into normal production. the whole scenario doesn't last that long, and they've made fist fulls of money. As I type this, you can easily get an iphone5 ANYWHERE.

Now lets look at Google: Sell out within 30 minutes starting in November...Take back orders for a couple of weeks on the more expensive model, and then slowly fill a portion by the end of December....only to still be sold out 2 months later.
During that whole ordeal they've sold...maybe 400,000 units....And as I type this, I'm reading rumors that the Nexus4 Charging pod will be available in February...in Norway.


I'd rather take the Apple approach of "selling out to generate PR"

 

[elitejp]

I find it amazing that you armchair quarterbacks think that you have any clue on whats going on. LG and Google are both profitable business's making decisions that are beneficial for their companies. If the nexus 4 is being delayed or even stopped in its production then im sure both google and LG think this is the best course of action for their companies. As many have said already "this phone could easily be sold for more". Evidently, and this is just my observation, neither google nor LG see this as a high priority. Its their business and they can do whatever they want to do.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

If the Nexus 4 was available I would've picked it up instead of the Galaxy Nexus. I've been using the Galaxy Nexus for about a year and have no issues with it, so I definitely don't have any issues picking up another one at the right price. I'm an iPhone 3GS/4 owner prior, and while it was nice I was tired of the smaller screen and same old UI.

The price of the LG Nexus 4 certainly hits a very attractive non-contract price point for many to consider.

 

[grkM3]

Iv had 2 nexus devices and been there and done that with roms and kernals and Im telling you,The stock TW rom on my gs3 blows the doors off of any roms out there.

I use the built in features everyday and the ones I like the most is the built in dlna video streaming in the tw video app.

You guys do know that Samsung hired cyanogen mod to work on the tw rom right?Iv had the smoothest exp and best battery life on the oem TW rom on my gs3 and the only thing I had to do to make it fit my liking was install a launcher that makes the phone look like stock vanilla jellybean.

I don't know why people hate about bloat ware but there is not a bunch on it and they can be shut off.

I don't know what is up with google but if apple and Samsung sold millions of phones it would make sense to build a few million also.

The gs3 pre sold 9 million and is the first android phone to ever beat an apple phone at launch.

This is a nexus phone here and is the holy grail of android phones and they only build 400K? heck Samsung already sold 12 million note 2s lol

 

[lothar]

Iv had 2 nexus devices and been there and done that with roms and kernals and Im telling you,The stock TW rom on my gs3 blows the doors off of any roms out there.

I use the built in features everyday and the ones I like the most is the built in dlna video streaming in the tw video app.

You guys do know that Samsung hired cyanogen mod to work on the tw rom right?Iv had the smoothest exp and best battery life on the oem TW rom on my gs3 and the only thing I had to do to make it fit my liking was install a launcher that makes the phone look like stock vanilla jellybean.

I don't know why people hate about bloat ware but there is not a bunch on it and they can be shut off.

I don't know what is up with google but if apple and Samsung sold millions of phones it would make sense to build a few million also.

The gs3 pre sold 9 million and is the first android phone to ever beat an apple phone at launch.

This is a nexus phone here and is the holy grail of android phones and they only build 400K? heck Samsung already sold 12 million note 2s lol

Step down from your Samsung PR soapbox.