In short: Apple’s first foldable smartphone is off to a strong start. The Cupertino-based tech titan opened pre-orders for the iPhone Duo on Friday morning and within minutes the shipping window was pushed back to early next year.
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo as the centerpiece of its fall media event on September 9th. The phone, which aims to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold in the ultra-premium space, is powered by an A20 Pro SoC built by TSMC on its 2nm node and features a 7.6-inch folding display. It is offered in two colors with a starting price of $1,999.
Shortly after pre-orders opened, the delivery window moved to the end of January. As things stand, anyone who buys the Duo on Apple’s website will have to wait at least three months to get their hands on it.
Some believed that the high price would affect the device’s popularity. Delayed shipping times suggest the duo could be a hit, but we don’t have enough puzzle pieces to say if that’s the case for sure. Late last month, a Chinese news agency claimed that contract manufacturer Foxconn was facing production problems that led to low yields and quality concerns. If this is true, the Duo’s inventory may have been limited from the start.
Still, Counterpoint Research expects Apple to sell six million iPhone Duos by the end of 2026 – not bad for a two-month period. As for the foldable device market as a whole, IDC expects the category to grow 12.6% this year to 22.9 million units before reaching nearly 27 million units sold by the end of next year.
If you’re looking for an iPhone Duo on launch day, you still have options. Wireless carriers and Apple retail stores often have units available for walk-in customers on launch day. Third-party marketplaces like eBay are another option, but expect to pay extra.
Do you have experience with foldable devices? Personally, I’m content to wait until the display’s durability improves. Accidentally scratching the screen of a $2,000 phone with your fingernail doesn’t sound like a good time.
