The Google Nexus 4 sold out in less than half an hour as bargain-hungry phone fans bagged themselves the latest Nexus smart phone.
Google's new flagship phone, powered by Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, went on sale today from the Google Play online store or from O2. But demand for the £239 phone was so great the site suffered problems and some prospective Nexus-ites reported it had crashed. The store appears to back in full working order now, but the Nexus 4 is no longer listed as available to buy.
The option to buy the Nexus 4 is, at the time of writing, replaced by the option to type in your email address and be notified when there's more in stock. That goes for both the 8GB and 16GB versions, which cost £239 and £279 respectively.
Of course, a cynic would mutter darkly about gadgets selling out guarantees headlines even if it does risk alienating a few customers. I have asked LG, which makes the phone, and Google why demand so far outstripped supply, but they're yet to reply.
I don't blame anybody who laid out their hard-earned for the Nexus 4: the phone earned a coveted CNET Editors' Choice for its giant 4.7-inch screen, quad-core processing power and Jelly Bean software, all wrapped up in a parcel of bargainous bargainosity.
In Europe, irate phone fans turned on LG, which is reported to have jacked up the price in countries that do not have access to Google Play. Meanwhile you can still order the phone through O2, but we question whether it's worth tying yourself in to a two-year contract when the phone is so cheap to buy from Google. If it has any, that is.
A new 3G version of the 7-inch Google Nexus 7 tablet also went on sale today for £239, as well as the 10-inch Google Nexus 10 starting at £319. All models of the Nexus 7 are in stock, but the Nexus 10 page says it's available to buy today, but only has the notification option.
Did you manage to bag yourself a Nexus 4, or were the shelves bare when you got there? Notify me in the comments or on our always in-stock Facebook page.
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anonymous 13 November, 2012 17:43
Demand hasn't outstripped supply - Carphone Warehouse and O2 mysteriously have lots of stock and will sell it sim-free at a mark up. Customers that wanted to buy it through Google have been well and truly shafted by a tiny allocation of stock so it can be sold for more elsewhere.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 18:43
Google suck, reports of people getting 3 phones due to basket errors and then they sell them for a huge mark up.
Hungry4Donuts 13 November, 2012 18:45
Most who did get the phone reselling it on ebay 100 pounds more
arphone1 13 November, 2012 19:18
what a shambles- In the early hours of the morning I got the phone in my basket and then it said there were basket errors. And then it was none in stock. And later that morning got an email from google saying the phone was on sale- which it wasn't. Google do you realise that if you raise people's expectations and then do this sort of shambolic launch that it's worse than if you hadn't raised expectations in the first place. I'm taking my money elsewhere.
Andrewx 13 November, 2012 19:21
So, on sale today? Wasn't up on the google play at 2am. And 8.30am seems to be out of stock (except the 8gb but who would buy that!). Can get the bumper for only £16 (handy if you drop it). How many of the 16gb Nexus 4 did google have in stock- 400or maybe that's why it's called the Nexus 4?! Come on google your customer focus needs sharpening (a lot). Ok and I guess you had people buying from abroad for delivery to UK addresses (European pricing policy didn't help there). Ho hum- maybe a windows 8 phone it is then, at least those are available.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 19:23
totally unimpressed Google- what are you playing at?
anonymous 13 November, 2012 19:35
I to am pissed off with this. I was constantly refreshing the sales page on Google Chrome. At first it kept on saying will be available on Tuesday 13th November when it was after midnight. Then at about 02:00 the Google Docs I was working on crashed and I had to restart Chrome. After that it stopped saying when it'll be available but, still didn't give the option to buy it. Then I got an email at 08:00 saying it was available. So I've been trying all day with the web page still saying the same. So I probably like everyone else was thinking maybe it's been delayed. Until I've heard this news. GOOGLE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!!
anonymous 13 November, 2012 20:08
This whole thing has wound me up enough, its made me start looking at the windows phones. Thought Google/Android was above this sort of thing, what a let down!
anonymous 13 November, 2012 20:12
Its ok saying your new phone is really cheap next to others but you must be able to supply the items google.
AkumaJack 13 November, 2012 20:16
it would be interesting to see how many they had in stock to sell out so fast. hhhhmmmm, on the surface things don't seem to add up from googles and the networks side of things. In other countries they are selling the phone at twice the RRP to countries with google play, the networks are ripping people off by trying to make you sign up to a crazy 24 month contract thats the same price of the iphone5 or SGS III. Some of the 24 month contracts you end up paying £110 more than if you got the phone and a sim only deal with the same mins, text & data (based on O2 contracts). But here is the amazing p*ss take, O2 has the phone for £399 for 8G on pay as you go! 399-239(googles price)= 160/239=0.669*100=66.9 thats 67%!!! someone tell me if this calculating is wrong because that is an unreal PPR (profit on return) and thats taking the google play store price and not what they would pay for buying volume. Everyone should forget about being mad at google, the networks have a lot to answer for. Its EE's 4G pricing all over again.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 20:27
HTC Desire X, here I come!
anonymous 13 November, 2012 20:32
waves goodbye to google
anonymous 13 November, 2012 21:32
I managed to get one :)
anonymous 13 November, 2012 21:37
I managed to get three and sold two on ebay for double what I paid!
anonymous 13 November, 2012 21:54
Pack of see you next tuesdays. Lost all respect for the company today. Will not be buying a google handset brand new ever as my way of saying screw you for this absolute, complete and utter farce.
Meleagru 13 November, 2012 21:59
Google really should take pre-orders on their products. I can understand it selling out in a matter of minutes but at least give people a promise that they will get one. Even if it takes two weeks, you wouldn't get as many complaints.
AkumaJack 13 November, 2012 22:01
makes sense really. Buy a few phone and sell them onto the euro zone where a lot of people don't have the google play store so they have to people LG's crazy price. I think I'll do the same once it comes back onto the play store.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:05
@meleagru - if they had the know-how or understanding of the handset market, or cared, or understood how to manage high demand in a limited-supply situation (i.e, like a retailer would - maybe limiting items to one per user email account or credit card without prior warning), they would have done it right. As it was, it was a PR stunt - they wouldn't even say how much stock they had. It was like some royal family throwing $100 bills off their penthouse balcony to the great unwashed hordes below, who then fought tooth and nail over them.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:05
I got two 8GB ones due to basket error. Had to be a bit persistent in refresh and refill basket game - was at it from 8.20 to about 8.45. Hope order is honoured and I get at least one - coming off a 2 year contract with a Motorola Defy (orig) - badly need an upgrade
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:11
how could you do this so stupidly Google? I registered ages ago- and i get an email after it's sold out? I'd hand back my nexus 7 if I could get my money back
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:14
if it seems too good to be true then it probably is. Even so Google- don't you guys think how this impacts your early adopters?
andydandy 13 November, 2012 22:14
Don't be so upset. The first off the production line are always the ones with the most faults. Wait for a bit. Patience. I am typing this on a Nexus 7. Bought within a couple of weeks of issue. Great device.
CaptainPicard 13 November, 2012 22:15
What a flop Google. But people considering getting alternative phones CALM DOWN. This is the best phone out there, once Google get it on sale again your gonna get a bargain, even if it takes a month! The wait is worth it.
AkumaJack 13 November, 2012 22:16
relax everyone, I wanted one and didn't get it. all the @anonymous people talking about never buying from google....are you really going to miss out on this amazing deal or are you just a troll?
CaptainPicard 13 November, 2012 22:19
My thoughts exactly AkumaJack.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:22
Oh, CaptainPicard, can it really be true? Will we really find the end of the rainbow, and a pot filled with Google Nexus 4s?
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:25
@AkumaJack - I missed out but couldn't really give two sharts. I'd be happy with a.n.other HTC Android phone for a few quid more.
CaptainPicard 13 November, 2012 22:34
Yes anon 22.22 you will see gold! The wait is worth it.
Choccie Milk 13 November, 2012 22:38
While this is certainly a farce and annoying. Getting angry and saying things like "never buying from Google" doesn't make sense (it's your loss if you don't). It's not as if you've given money to Google or anything.
It's annoying if you've been looking forward to it but I doubt very much that any significant amount of people planning on buying one will be put off because of how much of a bargain it is.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:43
Choccie Milk has downright milked his chocolate cow and produced a lovely refreshing bottle of choccie milk with that comment. I for one, will wait patiently.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:51
i was between the nexus 4 and Motorola razr i , moto tops in quality and sturdiness, external micro sd up to 64GB and sells at 300 pounds on ebay. After an initial loss of auction at ebay I was considering nexus 4 as an alternative, drawbacks being bettery life ( as limited as SGIII) and a fragile glass casing ( compared to a 2 day battery and a Kevlar casing from Moto), Moto is now owned by google so a jelly bean upgrade is inevitable. Processor 2G from intel. Add all these together, and I put a max bid 300 pound on a moto and got myself one pronto.
thats my advice if you are an Android fan. Plus u will be speaking in a Motorola not an LG!!!!
anonymous 13 November, 2012 22:57
Wait and buy second hand when there is enough of them on the market. You still get a cheap phone and Google don't get an extra sale. Simple.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 23:02
Really disappointed. Why did they not take pre-orders like other retailers? THey could then properly assess demand and plan to fulfill it! Its not that complicated. I registered two weeks ago and still dont even have an email indicating availability. I checked at 06:40 this morning and it was showing available soon even then. So I assumed they were running late. Bad show Google! Must do better. Not even a public apology for the disappointment created.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 23:58
Tried to buy one this morning but had nothing but confusing error messages despite reaching the "click to confirm purchase" screen twice.
If this is how google run their retail operations then god knows what their customer service is like (should you be so unlucky to come to depend on it).
Google can therefore stick the Nexus 4 up their a55: I'm off to buy an iPhone 5.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 23:58
What's the bloody problem? Would you rather go and cue from they day before? In freezing pissing cold? Like the ifans? So it sold out? Ull get it next week... relax its not going anywhere ... prob is better to w8 they are going to do the same as nexus 7 in 6 months the 16gb is goin to be 239£ and they are going to bring a 32gb version ....common don't be like the isheep , u need to be the iwoolfs lol
anonymous 14 November, 2012 00:00
Got my nexus 3g I don't care
anonymous 14 November, 2012 00:21
The things that really should of been addressed is the people who where allowed to buy multiple Nexus 4's. Google should of limited it to one each as much as possible, because not only do there customers get disappointed when hearing someone has bought 3 and is selling them on ebay for X amount, they also gain nothing from people essential making money from their product.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 01:05
Sold Out is just an orchestrated PR stunt to get some headlines.
According to news reports and CNET's own US site, the same occurred in the USA later on in the day, but after "selling out", people have reported that they could place orders again after a few hours later.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 04:30
Refreshed the page about 15 times before the site showed me the option to buy it (that it was in stock). Ran into basket errors upon attempting to buy...went back to the main Nexus 4 page to see the "Notify me" button again...
Repeated the *entire* process above about 10 times before it processed things correctly and actually let me check out. The sales receipt confirmation now sits in my Gmail Inbox. =)
anonymous 14 November, 2012 07:20
Got the email from Google that it was up for sale after they ran out of stock I guess. They said 16GB was still coming soon....then said it was in stock....then I had basket errors....then it was back to 'enter your email' and then it want to sold out.
Wish they gave you the option to pre-order instead of signing up to be told when it'll be available!
jopov123 14 November, 2012 07:46
I bought a Nexus 32gb sim free but had to stop at the check out when I realised I logged in under hubby's Chrome. By the time I got in my login they had sold out but do know what? I'm still gonna keep trying as all of this stuff is excellent value and my exisiting Nexus 7 16gb far outstrips anything out there in terms of usability. Stop whinging and just soak up the bargains when back in stock. Still excellent products even if you have to wait a day or two longer.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 08:03
The whole thing has been a pr con which went wrong. The issues with websites from a web giant like Google is plain incompetent. Embarrassing. However a pr stunt gone wrong. Google get the headlines with their price announcement. Trying to get column inches for a brand that has traditionally sold small amounts. Problem is Google underestimated demand tht would result. It is clearly the case that Google only intended to have a few for sale. All other sources are selling the phone at a realistic (expensive) price. How is rhat? This gives Google's ruse away. It is shameful really. Google playing a game and mucking customers about just to get some short term column inches. Problem is they've blown it for if they cannot make this phone available to us at the price they said they would in reasonable numbers then they will pay the price of disappointed and angry consumers.
Disgrace.
Jono70 14 November, 2012 09:19
I feel sorry for the people overseas who have no choice but to pay the inflated prices, but seriously, anyone paying £100 or more over the odds to get one on ebay want their bumps felt! I didn't even bother trying to get one yet; happy to wait a few weeks or even months and my Galaxy S2 will serve me fine in the meantime...
dougmet 14 November, 2012 10:22
Gave up trying to buy an iPhone because of the stock problems. Would prefer not to give up on this too but my four year old phone is not in great health. Will wait a little while but otherwise will give up again and get an S3.
I see O2 will sell it to you for £400. Not very nice of them.
flyingacedude 14 November, 2012 10:26
A great new product has been launched at a surprisingly low price (a breakthrough price for a premium product) and shock horror it's really popular and has sold out. That's what happens to great products at great prices, everyone wants them. Look at the iPad 2 and the Wii, it took weeks/months to keep up with demand. Get some perspective.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 10:37
Your point would be valid if the phone had actually sold out - its still available at an inflated price from carphone whorehouse and O2
Google should have ensured a level pricing across retailers like it has with its tablets, or sold it exclusively
They should also have made sure the vultures couldn't buy more than one on launch day
anonymous 14 November, 2012 10:45
It's manafactured by LG, not Google.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 10:54
Why is everyone so butthurt about this?
ESPECIALLY the English commentors.
listen, the phone sold out in less than 30 minutes.
you arent the only person trying to by the phone, or visit the website.
learn to read. the article even says that the website where you could order the phone had crashed, hence all the mixed signals and errors you were all receiving. there were probably hundreds of thousands of people trying to order the phone, and thats googles fault how?
sure, they could have prepared better, but things like this happen all the time, i dont think its that big enough of an issue that you would say you're losing faith and respect for the company.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 11:48
Ran into a lot of errors, order were live at 8:20 for me. They didn't do the website correctly, unfortunately the demand and also the web page displaying notify me, and buy now kept changing. I had to click back on Google chrome to take me back so I could try and order it.
The 16 gb version was impossible to order, so I went and tryed the 8gb version and I got further then of the 16gb version. it took me a while to get through it but at 8:46 I was successful.
Google did annoy me alot, I was very close to not buying it. You have a lot of servers, and yet you cannot correctly deal with the demand for this.
I am now awaiting the delivery off my nexus 4!
anonymous 14 November, 2012 12:09
A great PR stunt there Google.
Limit the number of devices made available on launch day.
Close the store early and put up the SOLD OUT notices.
Bombard the press with the news that all the devices sold out within a hour of them going on sale.
Brilliant!
The head of marketing will surely get a deserved bonus after this?
The only worry is that when all the Tech Heads have got their Nexus devices, will sales tail off and supplies be plentiful?
After all, Mr & Mrs Joe Public has probably never heard of the Nexus brand, or is even aware of the existence of the Play Store.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 12:10
It's only a bloody phone, grow up !
Raja Az Rajput 14 November, 2012 13:00
I really wanted to get myself this phone, but as they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is !
Google has done its job, they sold a few on the play store, made headlines and created a real buzz.
They have agreements with O2 and CPW too, hence its not surprising that they've put up pay monthly prices to £31 per month when you can "apparently" buy the phone for £239 etc. They knew this will happen as it was planned as a marketing strategy. These big multi-cooperations such as Google and O2 are dodgy, tax avoiding scums, we should all buycott them ! Google will now let these network providers have their go and sell the Nexus 4 on pay monthly plans in the run up to Christmas, and after they had a go, google might sell the rest of the stock again for the cheaper sim free price on the play Store !
anonymous 14 November, 2012 15:09
People are angry at Google because the phone has been sold out, and the only ones left are being sold by more expensive vendors. Do remember that you don't deserve the cheap price being offered, the phone is worth A LOT more, Google are heavily subsidising the phone to get people on side, its not by magic the phone has these amazing specs and cheap price tag. Google most likely will replenish their play store stock, but if they don't you cant complain.
anonymous 14 November, 2012 15:24
Also, LG or O2 or any other sellers aren't overpricing or ripping you off, they just aren't subsidising the true value of the mobile because they have no incentive to get you onto android. Stop giving them a hard time, this phone is comparable to the HTC ONE X and Samsung Galaxy S3 remember. Be more realistic! And stop crying that you'll boycott google
anonymous 14 November, 2012 17:27
Actually it is overpriced - LG is definitely NOT a top end brand, therefore its completely idiotic to suggest their phones should sell for similar prices to S3s and iPhones. You only have to look at their other phones to see this
It is a budget phone, with no micro sd card slot (40 quid for an extra 8gb.. whaaaat??) and a non replacable battery
anonymous 14 November, 2012 20:40
decided not to bother and went for an 8X- it's a nice phone- and ok the apps are a bit limited at the moment but it goes nicely with windows 8 on the PC and there's a certain something in having an operating system that most other people don't have (IOS or android) and it's actually a very neat operating system (having been an android user for 4 years and an IOS for 2 years). Maybe if enough people buy them the number of apps will increase! (thought he basis ones are there and under the covers this looks more powerful than the last version)
anonymous 14 November, 2012 22:56
@anonymous 17:27 overpriced what a stupid thing to say! HD screen s4 pro 2gb ram use your brain! LG phones are very good and always getting better and having no sd card does not make it budget no sd slot is common place on a nexus device.
anonymous 15 November, 2012 00:26
No news from google to say when they will be selling more stock. Check back soon why don't you. Google selling devices is a bit of a joke, they have no idea. After the mess of the launch with the nexus 7 preorders and now the Internet company can't even maintain service of it own website during a sale. Ps good luck if you have a problem with your device or you need a refund. Be prepared to call the 'play' store 20 times or so and wait about 3 months before you see a refund on your credit. Go and play with yourself google!
anonymous 15 November, 2012 10:13
The last poster makes a very good point.
If you have problems with your Nexus 4, don't expect to get any swift action , if any, from Google.
There is almost no back-up.
There are lots of people having problems with Nexus 7's, particularly the common loose screen issue and the internet is awash with stories about people being fobbed off, or told to take it up with Asustek (the manufacturer).
If you are nervous about LG's reputation for mobile phone build quality, then it might be best to either wait and see how it pans out, or look elsewhere for a new phone.
anonymous 15 November, 2012 11:47
I managed to purchase 19 Nexus 4's, I'm so happy, going to sell on ebay soon, for a good price, cheaper than other sellers on Ebay. Keep your eyes out for kbarakout2010.
anonymous 24 November, 2012 16:28
Google is playing with fans, nexus will not be available at Play Store until mid February - http://nexus4hype.blogspot.co.uk/