Foldable iPhone Duo sparks a frenzy and delivery delays

Preorders for the iPhone Duo have pushed delivery dates from October to January 2027, despite increased production. Strong demand is accompanied by criticism of the price and camera limitations.

Preorders for the foldable iPhone Duo trigger a three-month delivery delay

Apple opened preorders for the iPhone Duo at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (5:00 a.m. Pacific) on launch day. The company initially planned to start shipping on October 23, but delivery dates began slipping almost immediately. Just an hour after orders opened, the estimated delivery date had already moved to late January 2027 — about three months after launch.

Earlier this week, reports said Apple planned to promote the Duo heavily in its stores, with large demonstration areas prepared for the smartphone. Judging by how quickly wait times have grown, the company is unlikely to have any trouble with initial demand.

China's Securities Times reported that Apple had increased production orders by 30%. Even with this increase, total output is still expected to remain below 10 million devices.

The first foldable iPhone has drawn attention from both supporters and critics. Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing and co-founder of OnePlus, called the Duo “a waste of money” this week.

Its photography capabilities have also come in for criticism. The device lacks some camera features available on other iPhone models, including the latest 48-megapixel camera with a variable aperture and the telephoto module in the iPhone 18 Pro. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how much the foldable design will enable new ways to shoot.

Initial impressions of the smartphone have generally been positive. Users who have received the Duo praise its build quality, engineering, and Apple’s characteristic attention to detail. The device is an important product for the company, and initial demand appears to have exceeded Apple’s expectations.

The company describes the new device as an iPhone with its largest display in a foldable design. When unfolded, the Duo is the thinnest iPhone ever made; its inner display is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max screen and is designed for watching content, gaming, and multitasking. When folded, the smartphone offers a 5.4-inch outer display, with an area equal to 90% of the iPhone 18 Pro display. Apple calls the device compact and easy to carry in a pocket, while also highlighting the durability of its design and the precision engineering of the hinge, which the company says provides a smooth, satisfying motion every time it is opened and closed.

The Duo starts at $1,999 for the 256GB version. That is $800 more than the iPhone 18 Pro with the same storage capacity, which has been highly praised for its capabilities. Even so, interest in the new form factor is clear: some buyers are already expressing frustration that they will not receive the smartphone on launch day. For Apple, with a market value of $5 trillion, such strong launch demand looks more like a welcome problem.