Preorders for Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, opened on Friday and immediately led to extended delivery timelines for buyers in the United States. According to reporting by Engadget, Apple described the initial consumer response to the device as "nothing short of extraordinary" in a statement provided to CNBC.
Shoppers attempting to secure the new foldable hardware through Apple's official online store face estimated shipping windows extending into January 2027. The lengthened fulfillment timeframe creates a challenge for those hoping to receive the flagship device during the upcoming holiday shopping season. Responding to the inventory backlog, Apple informed CNBC that it is actively working to ship orders to customers as quickly as possible and will continue accepting online purchases.
Delivery schedules vary widely depending on how rapidly buyers submitted their initial orders. Engadget noted that early customer reports show fulfillment dates ranging from Apple Store pickups as early as October 23 to delivery estimates across November and December. For buyers seeing January dates, Apple's online store suggests checking back on October 24 for potential local retail pickup availability.
Although Apple previously referenced shopping both online and in stores for the iPhone Duo, the company has not confirmed whether its physical retail locations or authorized partners will have walk-in stock on launch day. Outside of Apple's direct channels, major third-party retailer Best Buy listed estimated delivery dates in November at the time of publication.
Why It Matters
The extended delivery timelines into 2027 suggest that initial demand for Apple's first foldable device may be outpacing early production supply. Complex hardware components, such as specialized flexible screens and hinge mechanisms, often present manufacturing challenges that limit initial inventory volumes. While strong preorder activity reflects significant interest in Apple's new product form factor, delivery delays past the holiday window could lead consumers to monitor physical store restocks or consider third-party retail options in hopes of acquiring the device sooner.
Illustration: AI-generated image, not a photograph of the event.
Source: Engadget
Original source: https://www.engadget.com/2289629/iphone-duo-shipping-estimates-have-already-been-pushed-back-to-2027/