The Droid X. It was heralded as Motorola's opportunity to gain market share in an ultra-competitive smartphone market where leading devices are sold out.
The only problem is, it's also sold out -- at least in many parts of the country and online. The shortages break a Verizon promise to have plenty of Droid Xes in stock. Verizon has issued a statement about the shortage, along with an update on when consumers can get their hands on the latest Motorola device:
"This has been a very good day one for Droid X sales. Customers were in line at midnight in some markets, in other places there were lines when the stores opened, and in other stores there has been a steady stream of customers. We have been successful at keeping up with early demand, but at present inventory in some parts of the country is either low or out. (It truly varies around the country.) Since we have weekly shipments planned, customers can still order phones and can expect them to be shipped on or before July 23."
A Race for Supply
The Droid X sells for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year contract. Some believed the availability could be incentive enough for Android fans to pick up what has been hyped as a best-in-class Android device. And apparently it was, though there are no official reports on how many Droid Xes sold on the first day.
Despite the Droid X shortage, it does appear that Verizon will have the Motorola device in stock before Apple fulfills its iPhone 4 back orders, before Sprint Nextel fills its HTC EVO 4G back orders, and before Verizon gets more HTC Droid Incredibles back on store shelves. The HTC EVO 4G is sold out indefinitely.
Despite Verizon's promises, Avi Greengart, an analyst at Current Analysis, wasn't convinced that the wireless carrier wouldn't face the same issues as HTC and Apple in the face of rising smartphone demand. And he was right.
"Maybe Verizon underestimated demand, or maybe Motorola is having the same supply constraints as HTC getting those 4.3-inch screens. I am not sure. I have not heard from Verizon or Motorola on this," Greengart said. "I'm sure Verizon will be happy to spin it as unprecedented demand."
Which Smartphone Maker Wins?
The Droid X promises ultra-high-speed web browsing with a one-GHz processor  . The device is also equipped with 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities, social-messaging features, and, of course, access to the Android Market. Droid X users can also tap into Verizon applications like NFL Mobile, Skype mobile , V CAST Video, and EA Need for Speed Shift. (continued...)
Droid X (Have to wait two:
Posted: 2010-07-24 @ 6:02am PT
Went to Verizon on 7/21 to get my Droid X and was very disappointed to find out that it won't ship until 8/3. They took my money though! I think a secondary rebate should be available when they run out of stock and make you wait.
Droid X (yea I got 1):
Posted: 2010-07-18 @ 3:27pm PT
It just doesn't make sense to me when people say that these companies "sell out" on purpose to create demand, like they sit and conspire to not make enough. There is a segment of the population that will wait in line for a product, or will go to the store within the first few days and are waiting for it to come out. So no matter what, these people will get the Droid X and will wait a week to get it. Now there is the casual phone user who is just wandering into their Verizon store, sees the Droid X and goes "Hey, cool phone I want it" then they get told it is out of stock and they could order it. Some will order it and some will just go "Nah, what else do u have." So it makes no sense for them to hold out on purpose because ultimately they will sell less phones.
bob:
Posted: 2010-07-17 @ 5:05pm PT
If you live in Dayton Ohio and are looking for the Driod X make your way to the Sam's Club on Miller Ln. They have it in stock and are selling it for $194 with a 2 year contract & NO MAIL IN REBATE!
Georgia DroidX User:
Posted: 2010-07-17 @ 11:12am PT
The shortage of of the DROID X was intentionally created by Verizon. I went to three stores before I picked up my X. The others had just sold out before I arrived. One store said they would have more "drop shipped" later that evening and they would be available the next day. Another store manager told me there were 300,000 in the "warehouse" and they would have more the following day. I find it amazing that all the media outlets are doing exactly what Verizon wanted them to do. Report shortages and stir up a frenzy. The only thing short here are the morals of Verizon by intentionally creating artificial shortages of the X.
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