Apple retail locations across the United States will personalize the initial startup screen of the iPhone Duo with the buyer’s name, departing from the standard generic greeting when pre-orders open on October 16, 2026, ahead of an official launch on October 23.
Personalizing the First Startup Experience at U.S. Apple Stores
When customers buy the foldable device at a physical store or select in-store pickup, Apple retail employees will have a personalization system capable of altering the boot sequence. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman first reported that the traditional startup prompt will be swapped out for a tailored greeting such as “Hello, Mark” when the device powers on for the first time.
The feature remains strictly limited in scope. It applies only to the newly unveiled foldable device, is restricted to purchases made at U.S. Apple Stores, and currently supports solely English and Spanish language options. Buyers in Germany and Austria are left out, and notebookcheck.net notes that international prices reach 2,300 euros with 256 GB and 3,800 euros with 2 TB.
Fun little touch for the iPhone Duo launch: Apple retail stores will have a system to customize the boot of the device with the buyer’s name so it says “Hello, Mark” (for example) when it turns on for the first time. (US only, Duo only, English and Spanish).
Mark Gurman, Bloomberg
How Store Employees May Apply the Custom Boot Screen
While details on the mechanics remain sparse, industry observers point to Presto as the likely vehicle for the customization. Initially brought to light by Gurman back in 2023, the Presto system enables store personnel to power on an unopened iPhone, apply necessary software updates, and power it down again without ever breaking the factory seal. According to IT Home, leaker pdfu reported that Apple is employing this exact tool for the greeting, which is also said to involve a new font.
The company did not mention the startup personalization feature during its September product announcement, and official confirmation from corporate leadership is still pending. Users can label each device uniquely within the Settings > [Your Name] > Devices menu using the new iPhone Duo Name Personalization feature.
Pricing and Release Dates for the Foldable Lineup
Pricing starts at $1,999 in the U.S., positioning the foldable tier far above standard smartphone options and inviting consumers to examine the crease and test the folding mechanism in person before committing to the purchase.
Customers can prepare for the upcoming transaction starting October 12. Pre-orders officially open on Friday, October 16, at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with home deliveries and in-store stock arriving on October 23.
