Apple iPhone Duo Pre-Orders Sell Out Within Minutes, Shipping Delayed to January
Apple's first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, faces massive shipping delays after selling out within 30 minutes of pre-orders opening. See the details.
POLICY WIRE — London, UK — Apple has officially launched pre-orders for its inaugural folding smartphone, the iPhone Duo, only to see initial supply vanish almost immediately. Within just 30 minutes of the window opening, the company notified prospective buyers that delivery timelines had already stretched into next year.
The device, which represents the most significant design overhaul for the iPhone in nearly two decades, was unveiled last month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. While the standard Pro models hit the market shortly after their announcement, Apple scheduled the Duo’s pre-order date for 16 October, with an official retail release set for 23 October.
The surge in interest caused immediate logistical bottlenecks. By 1:30 p.m. UK time—coinciding with 5 a.m. Pacific time—Apple’s digital storefronts in both the US and UK were displaying shipping estimates of 22 January. This delay pushes the arrival of new orders back by approximately three months, a window that is expected to expand further as demand continues to outpace current inventory.
This intense consumer appetite persists despite the device’s premium pricing. The iPhone Duo carries a starting price of $1,999, with configurations offering increased storage capacity reaching as high as $3,199.
Industry analysts had previously speculated that manufacturing hurdles would hinder Apple’s ability to satisfy market interest. The company had issued prior warnings regarding limited supply, urging customers to secure their orders the moment they became available to avoid significant wait times.
Reports suggest that the intricate engineering required for the folding hinge mechanism has complicated production efforts. Furthermore, the broader technology sector is currently grappling with supply chain pressures, as the AI industry’s heavy demand for specialized chips has made essential components both scarcer and more costly to procure.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
