Apple’s $1,999 folding smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has quickly sold out worldwide, with delivery windows slipping into January 2027.
Apple’s first venture into folding smartphones has triggered both heavy consumer demand and immediate logistical hurdles. Making its debut at a California press event on September 9, 2026 before rolling out in late October across more than 70 regions and countries, the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and £1,999 in the U.K. for the 256GB base model.
Stock flew off store shelves almost instantly. During an earnings call with financial analysts on Monday, Apple executives addressed the rollout. John Ternus, who took over as Apple’s chief executive from Tim Cook in September, said he was thrilled with the initial response to the device.
Supply Constraints and Unpredicted Demand for the iPhone Duo
Despite the high price tag, buyers have strained global inventory. Deliveries for new online orders are now stretching deep into January 2027. According to Sabhi Kahn, Apple’s new chief operating officer, the company cannot yet project when supply and demand will stabilize.
Kahn attributed the shortfall to ongoing difficulties in securing sufficient microprocessors built on advanced nodes, largely manufactured through TSMC in Taiwan. These component constraints are expected to persist into next year, impacting iPads and Macs alongside the new foldable. Furthermore, Kahn pointed to what the company termed unexpected demand
as a driving factor behind the shortages.
At the same time, memory storage costs have climbed significantly. Earlier this year, Cook described the abrupt surge in data centre expenses faced by Apple as a thousand year flood.
Early Screen Cracks and Apple’s Replacement Policy
As early adopters put the hardware through daily use, technical issues have surfaced alongside the commercial success. A small number of users have reported cracks along the inner display’s fold, sometimes accompanied by bright visual lines across the screen. One Australian owner experienced the damage after roughly six hours and fewer than 20 openings, though they received an immediate replacement at an Apple Store.
Apple acknowledged the issue, confirming it impacts a limited fraction of units. The company advises customers experiencing inner-display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement, though management did not mention the hardware hiccup during the financial analyst call. An independent teardown by iFixit suggests potential physical stress near the transition between the flex-cable opening and the central display support.
Hardware Design and Real-World Usage Compares
Reviewers testing the device over its first week have noted distinct trade-offs in durability, software optimization, and ergonomics. Built with a Grade 5 titanium frame, the Duo weighs 254 grams—just five grams heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max—giving it a solid, luxury feel but a noticeable heft in pockets.
When unfolded, the device presents a 7.6-inch folding inner OLED display paired with a 5.4-inch outer screen, both supporting 120Hz refresh rates. Unlike competitors using glossy plastic protectors, Apple employs a nano-texture matte finish on the inner screen to reduce glare and diffuse reflections. Reviewers have praised its stylus support via the Apple Pencil, a feature absent on folding rivals from Samsung and Google.
However, compromises remain apparent during daily use. The phone relies on a side-mounted Touch ID sensor built into the power button rather than Face ID. Many applications lack full optimization for the folding layout, and the rear camera setup lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, offering a 10x digital zoom compared to the Pro Max’s 40x capabilities.
Record Financial Results for Apple’s Wider Ecosystem
The iPhone Duo rollout arrives on the heels of record-breaking financial figures for the wider corporation. During the three months leading up to September 26—a window that excluded sales of the folding phone—Apple recorded a 17% rise in iPhone sales, reaching $57bn. Mac computer sales similarly grew 27% to hit $10.7bn. Total annual revenue for the company rose 15% to $479bn, even as wearable products and iPad sales experienced declines.