Apple officially opened online preorders for its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Friday, but strong initial demand and limited inventory quickly pushed delivery dates well into 2027.
Preorders began Friday at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, or 8 a.m. Eastern Time, across Apple’s website and retail app, CNET reported. Customers who finalized transactions in the opening minutes secured deliveries for the official launch day on Oct. 23. However, shipping windows began slipping almost immediately. By 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time, delivery estimates for all configurations on Apple’s U.S. online store had slid to Jan. 25, according to MacRumors, while The Verge reported that all versions showed late January delivery timelines within an hour of release.
Premium foldable design
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s inaugural entry into the folding smartphone segment. Starting at $1,999 for the 256GB base configuration, the device comes in two color finishes: “star white” and “night sky,” The Verge reported. The design incorporates a 5.4-inch outer cover screen and opens into a 7.6-inch matte OLED widescreen display, which CNET noted is the largest display screen ever featured on an iPhone.
Early hands-on reviews highlighted the hardware’s feel and display quality. Sam Rutherford of Engadget called the smartphone “Apple’s most exciting device in a decade,” praising its seamless screen and compact tablet profile. CNET senior tech reporter Abrar Al Heeti observed that the device functions like a small iPhone that expands into an iPad Mini form factor, writing that “it has a satisfying feel and really makes the crease virtually disappear when the screen is on.”
The hardware includes two 48-megapixel cameras covering main and ultrawide shooting, alongside Apple Pencil support and multitasking software that mirrors iPad functionality, CNET reported. To achieve the slim folding profile, Apple omitted its Face ID facial recognition system and opted against the variable aperture main camera found on the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, according to Engadget.
Supply constraints and retail outlook
The immediate delivery backlog ensures that customers ordering online through Apple will not receive their devices before Christmas. While customer demand contributed to the rapid backlog, supply shortages also played a role. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman stated that initial supplies would be constrained following earlier reports of factory challenges and low manufacturing yields, MacRumors reported.
Apple is entering a market populated by established competitors, including Samsung’s Galaxy Fold 8 and Galaxy Flip 8, as well as Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold, CNET noted. Despite the crowded Android foldable market, Apple’s established user base appears eager to adopt the form factor.
Prospective buyers may still obtain an iPhone Duo sooner by shopping in person on launch day. Apple typically reserves limited stock for walk-in shoppers at physical retail locations on Oct. 23, and devices are also being offered through retailers such as Best Buy and wireless carriers including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. However, Apple disabled its in-store online pickup service shortly after launch Friday, displaying a notice advising shoppers to check back on Oct. 24, MacRumors reported. Whether walk-in inventory will remain available past the morning of Oct. 23 remains to be seen.
