Google’s Nexus 4 smartphone went on sale today via its Play Store, although most of the world wouldn’t know it.
Both the 8GB and 16GB versions sold out seemingly before sales had even started, with thousands and thousands of keen Android fans left scratching their heads. Furthermore, many are saying that Google didn’t notify them when the handset did go on sale, which is something many requested by email. We have to say we’re in the same boat, receiving no email to three different addresses regarding availability, after signing up to be notified on the day of the phone’s unveiling.
The latest smartphone has also sold out in the Australian Play Store, with Google confirming to The Next Web that it sold out in under an hour. It’s hardly surprising that the phone has disappeared from virtual shelves so quickly either, with high-end features such as a 4.7-inch HD display, quad-core Qualcomm processor, 2GB of RAM and the latest version of Android packed in for a very low price – just £239 for the 8GB model and £279 for the 16GB.
The Nexus 4 is not without its drawbacks of course, with no micro SD card slot for expansion being the main gripe for many people. There’s also no removable battery, so you won’t be able to battery reset the phone or even swap out for a second battery to make the phone a true road warrior.
Looking through comments on various tech sites and forums we’ve seen some serious disgruntlement displayed by the hardened Android fanatics. Some users stayed up all night to ensure they were first in line but had their order declined as many as 20 times. The general consensus is that Google has undersold the handset in order to generate further hype – or perhaps it’s just incredibly popular, who knows.
If you really, really want to get your hands on a Nexus 4 on launch day, then there’s always the option of taking one out on contract. UK network O2 has a one month exclusivity deal on the handset, which they sold to lucky punters atop the O2 Arena in London this morning, although contract prices are steep, starting at £36 per month if you want to get the phone for free.
Did you manage to secure a Nexus 4 through the Play Store? Let us know how you got on.
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