Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is already proving difficult to get hold of, with shipping estimates slipping into January just minutes after preorders opened on October 16. Strong early demand and severely constrained supply appear to be setting the stage for a challenging launch for the US$1,999 device, which is scheduled to reach customers on October 23.
The immediate delays suggest that customers who did not secure an order quickly may have to wait several weeks beyond the official release date to get their hands on Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable smartphone market.
Credits: CNBC
iPhone Duo Preorders Face Immediate Delays
Apple opened preorders for the iPhone Duo at 8 am in New York, but launch-day availability at its retail stores disappeared almost immediately. Delivery estimates displayed on the company’s online store subsequently shifted into January, indicating that initial demand may have outpaced the supply available for preorder customers.
The delays affected both colour options and every storage configuration, ranging from 256GB to 2TB. This suggests that the availability crunch was not limited to a particular model or configuration.
Some customers also took to social media to report delayed delivery dates despite following Apple’s recommendations to select their preferred colour and storage capacity ahead of time. The advance preparation was intended to help buyers complete their purchases more quickly once preorders began.
However, even these steps did not guarantee an early delivery slot, highlighting the difficulties customers faced in securing the new device.
Apple’s Foldable Phone Makes a Strong Debut
The iPhone Duo represents one of Apple’s most significant product launches under chief executive officer John Ternus, who assumed the role in September. His tenure has already featured several product announcements, including the HomeView smart home hub, as Apple looks to strengthen its position across consumer electronics.
The foldable smartphone is particularly important because it marks Apple’s long-awaited entry into a segment that rivals have explored for years. While foldable devices have struggled to move beyond a relatively specialised market, Apple’s entry could introduce the category to a much broader audience.
According to Counterpoint Research estimates cited in the report, the iPhone Duo could sell approximately 6 million units in 2026. If realised, that figure would represent a significant opportunity for Apple to expand the foldable market and establish a strong foothold in a category where consumer demand has remained relatively limited.
The device’s US$1,999 starting price, equivalent to approximately S$2,600, places it firmly in the premium smartphone segment. Its initial preorder performance nevertheless suggests that pricing has not prevented substantial early interest.
How the iPhone Duo Launch Compares With Previous iPhones
The preorder experience contrasts sharply with the September launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Customers who placed orders promptly for those models generally encountered a smoother purchasing process.
The iPhone Duo, by comparison, has faced immediate availability challenges, making it considerably harder for prospective buyers to secure a device for release day.
Apple’s retail strategy could offer another opportunity for customers who missed the preorder window. The company typically reserves some inventory for walk-in buyers on launch day, potentially allowing customers to purchase the device directly from its stores.
That possibility could bring back the long queues outside Apple stores and mobile carrier outlets that once accompanied major iPhone launches every year. However, the limited availability indicated by current shipping estimates means walk-in buyers may also face considerable competition.
Credits: Mashable
Apple’s October Product Plans Extend Beyond the iPhone Duo
The strong response to the iPhone Duo comes as Apple prepares for additional product announcements later this month. Bloomberg has reported that the company plans to introduce a touchscreen MacBook Pro alongside other devices in October.
These launches could make the month an important period for Apple as it seeks to build momentum under its new leadership.
For now, the immediate challenge is meeting demand for its first foldable phone. Shipping estimates extending into January indicate that customers hoping to receive the device during its initial launch period may need to act quickly or prepare for a longer wait.
Whether Apple can ramp up production sufficiently to shorten delivery timelines will be an important factor in determining how smoothly the iPhone Duo transitions from a highly anticipated debut to a widely available product.
With an estimated 6 million sales opportunity in 2026, the device has the potential to become a major addition to Apple’s smartphone lineup. Its early preorder performance offers an encouraging sign of consumer interest, although sustained demand and the company’s ability to overcome supply constraints will ultimately determine its commercial success.
