Apple Launches iPhone Duo Foldable with Severe Supply Shortages

The Apple Inc. opened pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, on October 16, 2026. Despite a retail launch date of October 23, demand immediately overwhelmed supply. Shipping estimates slipped from the launch date to mid-November within five minutes, and eventually to late January 2027 within an hour. The device starts at $1,999 in the United States and £1,999 in the United Kingdom.

Led by CEO John Ternus, the company positioned the Duo as the most transformational change to the iPhone since the original. The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch internal display with a nano-texture finish to hide the screen crease. It is powered by the A20 Pro chip and introduces a Hinge State system with six distinct usage modes. To manage the launch, Apple implemented a Get Ready service allowing customers to pre-configure their orders starting October 12.

Production has been plagued by bottlenecks, with assembly yields at Foxconn reported slightly above 60% in September due to complex hinge mechanisms and OLED panel constraints from Samsung Display. While Apple reportedly increased its 2026 production target by 30% to approximately 10 million units, manufacturing complexities and AI-driven chip shortages have contributed to the current scarcity. To offset the high cost, Apple and carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon offered trade-in credits up to $1,200.