In a nutshell: Apple's first foldable smartphone is off to a strong start. The Cupertino-based tech titan opened pre-orders for the iPhone Duo on Friday morning and within minutes, the shipping window had slipped into early next year.
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo as the centerpiece of its fall media event on September 9. The handset, which is set to do battle with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold in the ultra-premium space, is powered by an A20 Pro SoC built by TSMC on its 2nm node and features a 7.6-inch folding display. It's offered in two colors at a starting price of $1,999.
Shortly after pre-orders opened, delivery windows slipped to late January. As it stands today, anyone that buys the Duo from Apple's website will have to wait at least three months to get their hands on it.
Some believed the high price would hamper the device's popularity. Delayed delivery times suggest the Duo could be a hit, but we don't have enough pieces of the puzzle to say if that's the case for certain. Late last month, a Chinese news outlet claimed contract manufacturer Foxconn was facing production challenges resulting in low yields and quality concerns. If true, inventory of the Duo may have been limited from the start.
Nevertheless, Counterpoint Research expects Apple to sell six million iPhone Duos by the end of 2026 – not bad for a two-month run. As for the foldable market as a whole, IDC believes the category will grow 12.6% to 22.9 million units this year before hitting nearly 27 million units sold by the end of next year.
Those seeking an iPhone Duo on launch day still have options. Wireless carriers and Apple retail stores often have units for walk-in customers on launch day. Third-party marketplaces like eBay are another option, but expect to pay a premium.
Do you have any experience with foldables? Personally, I'm content to sit on the sidelines until display durability improves. Accidentally scratching the screen of a $2,000 phone with a fingernail doesn't sound like a good time.