ANN ARBOR – You don’t usually hear me complain, at least publicly, when I’m upset with technology providers. But I’m going to bend my own rule and complain about how I did not receive my new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 as promised last week.
I ordered this incredible new smartphone on Aug. 8, put down a deposit, and received a letter from Best Buy telling me it would be available on Aug. 19. I waited until late in the day and then drove over to my Ann Arbor Best Buy store only to be told, well, the blue model was not available. They offered me a silver one instead, if they had one in stock. I declined.
I then sent a couple emails to Best Buy headquarters on Monday to ask for comment. No reply. Now I know why. Samsung, two days ago in a press release, said it’s facing “supply constraints globally” due to pre-orders volumes that “far exceeded” estimates. Hum.
The problem is not related to the double-curved display of the Note 7, according to an anonymous source cited by Reuters. While the root cause of the supply issues remains unclear, the company said it’s trying to boost production. Analysts consulted by Reuters think the supply snag is only temporary and predict sales of up to 15 million Galaxy Note 7 units this year. That’s compared to just 9 million for the Note 5. There was no Note 6 manufactured.
So I guess I’m stuck with my Galaxy S III (yes I know a technology guy with old technology) until I get that email from Best Buy telling me to come pick up my phone. Just don’t know when that email will come.
Mike Brennan is Editor of MITechNews.Com. If you have a story idea for him, or you got your Samsung Note 7 already (rats) let him know at [email protected]
