The launch of the long-awaited Google Nexus One in the UK has been delayed until Mid-april.

Google’s first branded mobile phone in the UK has been setback due to serious issues and won’t be out until the middle of next month.

The Nexus One will now be released after the date of the HTC Legend’s launch (also on Vodafone) in the UK – a HTC phone which analysts are saying is a strong competitor and even better than the N1.

The Nexus One got US release in January and Google sold it directly through their website unlocked. In UK, Google will sell the phone full price and unlocked but also will sell the device on a £35 monthly contract through Vodafone.

However, N1′s delayed launch, will mean the handsets release will be after the launch of other Android-based devices, such as HTC Legend on Vodafone and HTC Desire on Orange and T-Mobile from next month. And the release will only be two weeks prior to the highly anticipated launch of Apple’s iPad which several mobile phone companies are finalising deals in which to sell the tablet PC in UK.

Only last week Goldman Sachs slashed its estimate for Nexus One sales this year from 3.5m units to 1m worldwide.