iPhone Duo Delivery Dates Slip into 2027

Apple’s inaugural foldable smartphone is encountering supply challenges that surfaced just minutes after preorders commenced. Delivery estimates for the iPhone Duo have already shifted into January 2027.

Preorders opened at 8 AM in New York on Friday, preceding the scheduled retail launch on October 23. By that time, Apple’s online storefront was displaying delivery dates extending into late January across both color options and all storage tiers, from 256GB to 2TB. Customers on various social media platforms reported delays despite adhering to Apple’s recommendation to reserve preferred configurations in advance.

Retail locations also exhausted their initial preorder allocations almost immediately. It remains unclear whether these delays are the result of unexpectedly high demand, limited initial supply, or a combination of both factors. Apple typically reserves a portion of units for walk-in customers on the official launch day, potentially providing a method for buyers to secure the device earlier.

Unveiled last month as part of the first major product introduction under new CEO John Ternus, the iPhone Duo represents Apple’s highly anticipated entry into the foldable smartphone segment, which has remained a relatively niche category despite offerings from established competitors. The device is priced starting at $1,999 for the 256GB model, making it the company's most expensive iPhone to date.

Last month, Counterpoint Research estimated that Apple could sell approximately 6 million iPhone Duo units in 2026, potentially providing new momentum for the foldable market. At that time, Counterpoint Research senior analyst Ivan Lam noted that the figure was contingent upon the company's ability to successfully ramp up production of the new hardware.