When Samsung announced the Galaxy S III coming in 16, 32 and 64GB flavors all that seemed to matter is the wait for the latter to become available for purchase.
Now GSMArena is reporting that a Expansys customer in the U.K. is said to have received a message informing him that the manufacturer "has decided not to release the unit".
Following the cancellation of the pre-orders, only the 16GB version in pebble blue and white is still currently available for purchase. It would seem to suggest that demand for the unit was too low to justify the manufacturing costs, and the cheaper method of expanding internal storage by means of a microSD card works just as well anyway.
PhoneArena also reports that although the 16GB models are stocked in the US, the 32GB model is harder to come by and the 64GB version is "nowhere to be found" at either Amazon or BestBuy. They also found that overseas, some third-party retailers are still accepting pre-orders for the 64GB Galaxy S III, although they didn"t say which retailers listed the device. A quick Google search does show some retailers still listing the device though.
Without confirmation from Samsung, the above is pretty much speculation; except of course for the Expansys customer in the UK who is pretty sure he won"t be getting one.
Update: Android Central reached out to Samsung, who issued the following statement:
The 64GB model of the GALAXY S III will be available during the second half of this year. The market availability and timing may vary and will be determined at the time of release.
Which seems to put this rumor to bed.
Android Central does point out that the language seems to suggest that not all launch territories will get the 64GB version. Samsung said at the London launch event that a 64GB version would show up in the second half of the year, that"s where we are now and it remains to be seen who will eventually get them.
Thanks to Neowin reader Electronic Punk for the tip.
Source: GSMArena