White iPhone 4 not before spring: Apple

Apple had said in July that the white version of iPhone 4 was more challenging to manufacture than originally expected. File photo

Apple says the elusive white iPhone 4 will remain out of reach until spring.

Apple Inc.’s own “Apple Store” iPhone app lets people reserve products to pick up at local Apple stores. On Tuesday, bloggers posted screen shots of the app appearing to offer the option to reserve a white iPhone 4. By late afternoon, that option was no longer available.

Trudy Muller, an Apple spokeswoman, says the company is sorry to disappoint customers with another delay. She did not give reasons for the delay, but Apple said in July that the white models are “more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected.”

Apple had hoped to make the phones available sometime late this year. The black version went on sale in June.