Harvey Norman grabs Nexus 4, will sell on Optus plans
- — 24 January, 2013 10:09
The Google Nexus 4: available through Harvey Norman from 1 February
LG has today announced that its Google Nexus 4 Android smartphone will be available "exclusively" through Harvey Norman retail stores from Friday 1 February.
The 16GB model of the Nexus 4 will be sold outright for $496 and will also be available on a range of Optus mobile plans at "selected stores".
The Nexus 4 initially went on sale online through Google's Play Store back in November, but stocks were exhausted in less than an hour. The 8GB model Nexus 4 sold for $349 online when it was available, while the 16GB model retailed for $399.
"The response in Australia has been overwhelmingly positive on Google Play already, and we know our Harvey Norman partnership will create even greater demand," said LG Australia's General Marketing Manager, Lambro Skropidis.
The Nexus 4, as advertised on Harvey Norman's website.
Harvey Norman will sell the Google Nexus 4 on eight Optus plans starting at $35 per month over 24 months ($15 per month handset repayments + $20 Optus plan) and ranging up to $130 (no handset repayments on the $130 Optus Timeless plan).
The Google Nexus 4 requires no monthly handset repayments on the $60 Optus plan, which includes $650 worth of calls, unlimited SMS and 1.5GB of data per month.
Google's current Play Store page notes that the company is "out of inventory" and stock hasn't been replenished since the device initially sold out. Google has refused to clarify if or when the Nexus 4 will go back on sale in the Australian Play Store.
The current Google Play Store listing for the Nexus 4.
The outright price of the Nexus 4 through Harvey Norman is $97 more expensive than Google's Play Store, though online customers in Australia are charged $19.99 for shipping.
The Nexus 4 can be pre-ordered on Harvey Norman's website with a free in-store pickup or a delivery fee of $6.95 for most Australian locations.
Are you interested purchasing a Nexus 4 from Harvey Norman? Or are you annoyed about the price increase and Play Store stock shortages? Let us know in the comments below!
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