HP unveiled the Elite x3 back in February, and pre-orders opened in various markets in August. But in the weeks that followed, its release was pushed back twice in the UK, while in the US, the Microsoft Store delayed its launch by two weeks, to September 26.
The plot thickened last week, when Microsoft suddenly began shipping the Elite x3 to those who had pre-ordered it, but the device has been showing as out of stock, or otherwise unavailable, on both the Microsoft Store and HP.com listings in the US for some time now.
According to Windows Central, sales of the Elite x3 have now been delayed until mid-October. Despite having inventory of the Windows 10 Mobile flagship available, Microsoft retail stores have reportedly been told not to sell them, until the release of new software and firmware updates for the device.
Microsoft and HP are said to be working on new firmware to improve the performance of the Elite x3, as well as that of its camera, before sales can resume.
The high-end handset is also awaiting the arrival of the Windows 10 Mobile Anniversary Update. HP said last month that the latest OS update would arrive "on or about September 13th". But this week, the company quietly made changes to a page on its site, deleting all references to that date, and stating instead that the Anniversary Update will arrive for the Elite x3 "in the coming weeks".
The Elite x3 is priced at $799 in the US, which includes not just the handset, but also the Desk Dock accessory, which allows owners to use a mouse and keyboard with the phone when connected to a larger display.
Source: Windows Central