Apple: White iPhone 4 coming 'second half of July'

Apple said Wednesday the white iPhone 4 won't be available until the second half of July.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Citing manufacturing problems, Apple on Wednesday said the iPhone 4 in white should be available about a month from today.

The iPhone maker released a very brief statement the day before the iPhone 4 is scheduled to be available to the general public.

"White models of Apple's new iPhone 4 have proven more challenging to manufacture than expected, and as a result they will not be available until the second half of July," Apple said.

Black versions of the iPhone 4 will arrive on schedule. The iPhone 4 will hit stores on Thursday for the first time, where there is expected to be huge demand for the new phones. Apple said last week it took preorders for 600,000 iPhones on the first day the company made that option available.

In what appears to be a shipping snafu, some customers who preordered their iPhone 4 to be shipped to their home have already begun to receive their units. Some reported receiving them on Tuesday, and others are starting to receive them Wednesday.