The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, arrives in stores today after pre-orders that have exceeded even the company’s own expectations. Since pre-orders opened on October 16, delivery times have stretched into January 2027. This extraordinary response that makes it one of the most anticipated launches of the year and that shows what to expect if we want to buy one in Apple stores in the coming days.
Apple confirms units for walk-in customers
In an interview published by TechRadar, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s head of marketing, assured that the company has reserved devices for retail stores. “Demand during pre-orders was extraordinary,” he said, so if we don’t make it in time we’ll be able to try to get one today, although stock will be very limited.
Apple has listed, as reported by 9to5Mac, the countries where we’ll be able to buy it directly: the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Macao, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and most stores in Italy.
In other markets, such as France, Japan, or mainland China, stores will handle pickups for orders already placed, but won’t offer in-store sales.
Demand is driving the whole industry
The expected shortage at launch and the enormous interest in the new form factor have given the whole industry a boost. According to DigiTimes, Apple reportedly increased its shipment target by 44% over the next 12 months.
For display and component manufacturers, this launch also opens up opportunities. The success of the first foldable iPhone is, almost certainly, going to accelerate the evolution of this entire category of devices.
