While the Google-branded LG Nexus 4 has started making a comeback recently in retailers' inventories everywhere, there was a small scare when the 8GB model sold out temporarily on Feb. 8. Good news is that it's back in stock at Google Play within a day.
The U.S. Google Play store now states that the $299.99 8GB Nexus 4 will ship out within 2-3 weeks for those who order one. The $349.99 16GB Nexus 4 ships out in the same time. A quick look at n4checker.com shows that Google Play stores in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and Canada are all currently in stock as well, with shipping times varying from 1-4 weeks.
For those who would like to pay a little less upfront, and are fine with getting saddled with a two-year contract, T-Mobile is offering a deal on the 16GB Nexus 4 that's hard to beat. In a web-only offer that ends on Feb. 18, T-Mobile is selling the Nexus 4 for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. This includes a $150 web-only discount that knocks the price to a quarter of its original $200 price tag. There is one caveat though - you have to be a new customer.
The Nexus 4 went MIA from Google Play and T-Mobile for quite some time before finally reappearing slowly last month. Inventories seem to have picked up, indicating that LG and Google may have resolved their supply chain issues. During the Nexus 4 blackout, both companies took to blaming each other, citing miscommunication and lack of foresight. Still, despite the hurdles, it looks like the Nexus 4 is approaching the "one-million-sold" mark, making it successful. And who knows? Perhaps this whole supply shortage thing helped drive its exclusivity and appeal up.