iPhone Duo Preorders Push Shipping Dates to January

Preorders Sell Out in Minutes and Push Shipments to January

Preorders for the iPhone Duo began on Friday at 5 a.m. PT on Apple’s website, the Apple Store app, and other channels, selling out within minutes and backordering current shipments until the last week of January, cnet.com reported. Although Apple scheduled an October 23 release date for its first foldable phone, buyers who missed the initial ordering window face a months-long wait for online deliveries.

The Tech TL;DR:
• Online orders placed through Apple are currently backordered until the last week of January, despite the scheduled October 23 hardware release.
• Carrier availability remains variable, and customers can still attempt to purchase the device directly in retail stores on October 23.

iPhone Duo Features Largest Display Yet

The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, though trade-in offers and Apple’s Upgrade program can reduce out-of-pocket costs. CNET Senior Tech Reporter Abrar Al Heeti handled the phone briefly ahead of preorders, describing it as a compact iPhone that doubles as an iPad Mini and suits media consumption well. She wrote that it has a satisfying feel and makes the screen crease virtually disappear when powered on.

When unfolded, the device features a 7.6-inch screen, which stands as the largest iPhone display yet, alongside a 5.4-inch outer display. For imaging and productivity, the Duo includes two 48-megapixel cameras comprising a main sensor and an ultrawide sensor. Apple built the hardware for multitasking by incorporating Apple Pencil support and drag-and-drop functionality comparable to iPadOS capabilities.

Apple Enters Folding Phone Market Against Android Competitors

Apple enters the folding phone market years after competing manufacturers established their hardware lines. That delay may carry little weight for consumers embedded in the existing Apple ecosystem, but the central question remains whether the iPhone Duo will attract buyers leaning toward Android alternatives. Competing hinged devices on the market include the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, the Galaxy Flip 8, and the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

While online purchases through Apple face delays stretching into late January, availability at mobile carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile varies by location. Buyers who want the device on launch day can bypass online shipping backlogs by attempting to purchase units in physical retail stores on October 23.