Pre-Sale Orders for Android Phone Take Off

U.S. service provider T-Mobile reportedly has been swamped with 1.5 million pre-sale orders for Google’s G1 Android phone, industry observers say.

Neither Google nor T-Mobile would not confirm the figure, which was reported first on Motley Fool, ChannelWeb reported Monday. But ChannelWeb said the G1 pre-sale orders are three times the number of phones T-Mobile originally ordered from Taiwanese manufacturer HTC.

The official launch for the phone is Oct. 22. But preference has been established for current T-Mobile subscribers.

“Because of overwhelming demand, we’re setting aside even more T-Mobile G1 phones as a special thanks to you, our loyal T-Mobile customers,” a statement on T-Mobile’s Web said.

“Supplies are limited, so this is your chance to order yours today before it hits the streets and guarantee you don’t go without,” the statement said.

T-Mobile said orders phones will be delivered around Nov. 10 for orders made before Oct. 21.

Google was involved in designing the Android operating system that powers the phone.