Apple to 'work hard' to fulfil iPhone Duo deliveries as orders overwhelm stock

Apple has pledged to make every effort to meet the overwhelming demand for its highly anticipated foldable iPhone Duo. The smartphone, the tech giant's long-awaited entry into the foldable market, was unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro last month and marks the first significant hardware release under CEO John Ternus. Online orders for the Duo began on Friday, but customers have quickly noticed delivery estimates being pushed back from November to December and, as of Saturday, towards the end of January in the UAE.

Similar estimates are seen on Apple's online platforms in the US and UK, applicable to all four storage capacities and two colour options.

The delay in delivery dates for the iPhone Duo is significantly longer compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 18 Pro, which has a delivery estimate of about two to three weeks. Experts expect that the delays could be a positive indicator for Apple's foldable device, as it is the company's debut in the foldable market following the mainstream success of foldables nearly a decade ago.

Apple has also mentioned that it aims to deliver the devices to users as soon as possible, with online orders continuing while the company welcomes customers at its global Apple Stores.

Despite the delays, analysts believe that the strong demand for the iPhone Duo could lead to sales of around six million units this year, driven by the innovative pricing strategy that is just $100 higher than its main competitor, the refreshed Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. If sales reach 14 million, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates, it could add approximately $28 billion to Apple's revenue for the 2027 fiscal year.