iPhone Duo launch brings store sellouts and January shipping dates

Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, went on sale on October 23 in the US, Europe and major Asian markets including Korea, drawing queues that emptied store stock quickly and pushing online delivery estimates into next year.

US Apple Stores received roughly 50 to more than 200 units each, and those units sold out fast. At a store in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, the 256GB and 512GB models were gone within 30 minutes of opening. On the US Apple Online Store, the average shipping delay for the iPhone Duo stood at 92 days as of October 20, according to data firm Navie.

Apple said preorder demand was surprising and that it is working to deliver the device as quickly as possible. Some customers who ordered early have seen delivery dates move up from January to November or December of this year.

Demand spilled into resale markets. Outside the Apple Store in Beijing's Sanlitun district, resellers offered 3,000 yuan extra for a new iPhone Duo handed over on the spot.

In Korea, the iPhone Duo starts at 3.29 million won for the 256GB model and runs to 5.09 million won for the 2TB version. Preorders opened there on October 16 and pickup began on October 23. Carrier first-round preorder stock sold out in one minute, and on launch morning Apple's Korean site showed a shipping date of January 22 next year for new orders.

Two screens, two apps

The device has a 5.4-inch outer screen when folded and a 7.6-inch inner screen when unfolded, supports running two apps side by side, and uses a matte inner display intended to reduce glare and creases.

IDC expects Apple to lead the foldable phone market in both shipments and revenue next year, according to Reuters. For comparison, the iPhone 18 series had an average shipping delay of 14.5 days on the US Apple Online Store, and US carriers have shown waiting periods of 46 to 51.8 days for the iPhone Duo, longer than at previous iPhone launches.