Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, made a record-breaking debut, selling out its global opening-day stock in just three minutes after pre-orders launched on Friday, October 16, 2026. The phone, set to go on sale on October 23, 2026, saw its base models sell out by 8:03 AM ET, with delivery dates slipping to late November within minutes. By 8:30 AM, high-demand versions like the 512GB and 1TB models were delayed until January 25, 2027. By noon, every color and storage option on the US Apple Store showed late-January delivery dates.
Delays now affect all storage options, from 256GB to 2TB, with reports indicating longer waits in India and other launch markets. Store pickup availability is also limited in some locations. Apple stated, "The pre-order demand for iPhone Duo, our first foldable iPhone, has been nothing short of extraordinary." The company is working to fulfill orders as quickly as possible but did not confirm if stock will be available for those who missed pre-orders when sales begin.
Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence, Anurag Rana and Josh Christensen, suggested that iPhone Duo sales could surpass earlier estimates of 14 million units and $28 billion for Apple's fiscal 2027. They noted that if Apple convinces current iPhone Pro and Pro Max owners to switch to the base foldable, the iPhone's average selling price would rise by 82% and 67%, respectively. The iPhone Duo is one of the first major launches under new CEO John Ternus, who took charge in September.
In India, the 256GB base model is priced at ₹2,99,900, with higher-storage versions priced above it. The phone features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen that unfolds. Getting an iPhone Duo proved significantly harder than securing the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max in September, which went smoothly for customers who ordered on time.