Amazon’s first Kindle smartphone may be delayed until later this year as the company tackles production problems with manufacturing partner Foxconn, supply chain sources have revealed. The retail giant was hoping to launch the device during the second quarter of 2013, but it’s now unlikely to enter mass production until June.

Production progress at Foxconn “has not been as smooth as expected,” according to a new DigiTimes report, which cites sources in “the flat panel supply chain.” The device is still undergoing its engineering verification test (EVT) period due to “issues related to its mobile platform,” which, like the Kindle Fire, is expected to be a heavily modified version of Android.

Development of the device is being handled by Foxconn subsidiary Ensky Tech, which has been responsible for Amazon’s other Kindle devices. According to Amazon’s original roadmap, the device was scheduled to complete its production verification test in the first quarter of this year, then enter mass production during the second quarter.

But thanks to the production problems, it’s now unlikely to enter mass production until at least June, pushing back the release until the third or fourth quarter.

It’s worth noting that Amazon is yet to confirm its plans for a Kindle smartphone, so the device remains just a rumor at this point.

• SourceDigiTimes