The iPhone Duo is unlikely to be a hot holiday gift this year, as Apple struggles with supply chain issues. During its earnings call on Monday, Nov. 2, Apple’s chief operating officer, Sabih Khan, told investors that the company couldn’t predict when supply of its new iPhone Duo would catch up with current demand ahead of Black Friday and the holiday shopping season.
Since its launch on Oct. 23, the iPhone Duo has faced significant stock and shipping delays. Apple CEO John Ternus acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the company’s efforts to meet demand, including deepening its partnership with Perryman, a titanium producer supplying parts for the device. Those who missed the initial preorders or in-store purchases are now facing shipping times extending into 2027, with some carriers like Verizon offering gift cards as apologies for the delays.
While the iPhone Duo is Apple’s priciest smartphone to date, rising memory chip costs driven by the AI industry are affecting hardware prices across the board. Khan noted that Apple has had to increase prices on numerous products, though he described these decisions as made “reluctantly.” Back in June, MacBooks and iPads saw price increases of up to 25% due to rising hardware and chip costs.
As Apple works to resolve these issues, customers may be turning to competitors. Reports from Korea indicate that Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales jumped 20% in the week after the iPhone Duo became available. Additionally, recent reports of cracked displays on the iPhone Duo have further impacted its appeal.