Published 9 hours ago • loading... • Updated 1 hour ago
Apple Store Goes Offline Ahead of iPhone Duo Pre-Orders: When Can You Buy Apple’s First Foldable iPhone?
Apple’s first foldable iPhone backordered within minutes as preorders quickly sold out and some delivery estimates slipped to late January, analysts said.
On Friday, Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone starting at $1,999 for 256GB storage. Shipping estimates slipped to January 25, 2027, within minutes as demand overwhelmed initial supply.
The Duo was first unveiled on Sept 9, 2026, featuring a titanium chassis and 7.6-inch folding inner display alongside a 5.4-inch outer screen. This represents Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market after years of speculation.
To streamline purchasing, Apple launched a 'Get Ready' configurator on October 12, allowing customers to pre-configure orders. Carriers including AT&T offer trade-in incentives up to $1,200 to offset the device's premium price.
Bloomberg reported that production constraints severely limited available supply for the Duo's launch. Strong consumer interest combined with constrained inventory created unprecedented three-month shipping delays, marking a record wait time for Apple.
IDC and Counterpoint Research forecast 6 to 10 million Duo sales in 2026, positioning Apple to potentially lead the foldable market. Production challenges remain a significant hurdle, though analysts expect momentum to continue into 2027.
Apple’s first folding phone debuted pre-sale with overflowing demand and reported production problems that narrowed the stock available; delivery deadlines are now set for next year