OnePlus has landed itself in a sticky situation thanks to an overwhelming demand for its latest OnePlus 3 smartphone.
The OEM is being compelled to pause sales for the OnePlus 3 in Europe due to high demand for the Android-powered handset, which launched on June 14 this year.
However, this is just a temporary suspension of sales that will last for a month to allow OnePlus to replenish its inventory. The sales of OnePlus' flagship smartphone will be suspended starting Aug. 9 and last until Sept. 12.
Twenty-three countries will be affected by the halt in sales, including one city in China. The European nations affected by the OnePlus 3 sales suspension are Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, Malta, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Greece, France, Estonia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria, Belgium and Austria. Hong Kong will also see a month-long suspension window due to high demand.
The OnePlus 3 holds the distinction of being the fastest selling device ever from the OEM, but the company is unable to keep up with consumer requirements. Previously, OnePlus deployed an invite system to sell its phones so that it could manufacture and supply units accordingly. However, with the OnePlus 3, the company opted to discontinue this format.
The unforeseen demand for the OnePlus 3 in Europe — which surpassed the company's expectations — has even led the smartphone maker to extend the shipping dates for new orders. Now, with OnePlus running out of stock in several markets, it is being forced to halt sales for its flagship phone.
Carl Pei, the co-founder of OnePlus, has addressed consumer concerns and noted that the company is working towards replenishing its inventory.
"We are working hard to secure more stock and fire up more production lines so that we can fulfill our goal of putting premium products into the hands of as many people as possible. With this note I wanted to give customers in affected regions enough advance notice to be able to purchase a OnePlus 3," says Pei.
If you are in Hong Kong or any of the 23 European countries that will see a temporary pause in sales, we suggest you pick up the OnePlus 3 prior to Aug. 9 (before 6 p.m. EDT) or you could be waiting for a month.
Those who intend to purchase the OnePlus 3 but are unable to do so before Aug. 9 need not be disappointed, though. Pei has promised that the company will offer an in-stock notification page. Those interested can drop their email address to get alerted when the OnePlus 3 is back in stock.
