If you live in the UK and were thinking of picking up the Xperia Play when it launches tomorrow, you may have to think again as the choice of available mobile phone operators is increasingly diminishing. After O2 pulled out of the launch due to software bugs, a “freight issue” has caused both Vodafone and 3 to delay their release of the phone.
According to VG247, Vodafone have stated that “Sony Ericsson have advised us that they will not be able to supply the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play to meet the original launch date of 1 April.”
Continuing:
We are working closely with Sony Ericsson to ensure your phone is delivered as soon as possible and we will be in touch again with specific timescales when we know more. We appreciate this is disappointing and are doing our very best to resolve this as quickly as possible.
3 has also delayed the launch, saying there would be a “very slight delay” in getting the Xperia Play into stores. In both cases the delay was due to the shipping issues and not due to software bugs like with O2. Sony Ericsson responded to the delay:
As of today, we have experienced a freight issue that may impact the number of Xperia PLAYs arriving at some retail outlets. This said, consumers can purchase Xperia PLAY as of April 1st at a number of stores across the UK.
Have the delays scuppered your plans to pick up the phone? Let us know in the comments below.
