Samsung Speaks On Blue Galaxy S III Delay: "High Standards" To Blame

Samsung has finally stumped up a statement on the Galaxy S III Pebble Blue delay, admitting that quality control issues around the "newly invented" color and special coating will indeed result in 2-3 week shortages. "In order to meet the highest internal quality standards and to provide the best quality Galaxy SIII to customers," Samsung told retailer MobileFun, "a short supply of Pebble Blue version is expected in some regions."

Reports circulated at the end of last week that Samsung had experienced manufacturing issues with its Pebble Blue production. A "small" error had supposedly forced the company to junk hundreds of thousands of blue casings and start again, although production of the Marble White variant was supposedly unaffected.

Samsung did not comment on the reports, and it's only with retailers and carriers confirming the supply issues this week that any news has made it out to pre-order customers. As it stands, 16GB white models are expected to be available from carriers this week as planned, though some online retailers have warned unlocked devices may ship a day or two later than expected.

Availability of the blue model, however, may not happen until mid- to late-June. We've more details on the Galaxy S III in our full review.

Full Samsung statement:

"Samsung's Galaxy SIII Pebble Blue version comes with a newly invented blue colour and special hyper-glaze material.

In order to meet the highest internal quality standards and to provide the best quality Galaxy SIII to customers, a short supply of Pebble Blue version is expected in some regions in the next 2-3 weeks.

Samsung is working hard to ensure that customers will get the Pebble Blue coloured devices as soon as possible."