Apple says it’s ‘hard to predict’ when iPhone Duo constraints will improve

Apple's COO, Sabih Khan, acknowledged the shipping delays affecting the new iPhone Duo during the company's recent earnings call, but provided no clear timeline for when customers can expect improvement. The delays, coupled with rising costs of memory chips driven by increased demand from the AI industry, were just two of the concerns raised by investors.

Khan stated that while the production ramp for the iPhone Duo is progressing, predicting when supply and demand will balance is extremely challenging at this juncture. Many customers who did not wait in line for pre-orders are now facing delivery times that extend beyond the next year. Verizon has responded to these delays by offering gift cards to affected customers.

In October, the Financial Times reported that Apple described the demand for the Duo as "extraordinary," noting that the device sold out on Apple's website within hours of its launch, extending delivery dates into next year. Apple's supply chain efficiency is typically commendable, but this prolonged shipping setback is a stark contrast.

The company's efforts to meet the demand for the Duo include deepening its partnership with Perryman, a titanium producer, to secure the necessary materials. Apple also noted price increases on several products, which it admitted were made reluctantly. The CEO, John Ternus, expressed satisfaction with the initial reception of the Duo from both reviewers and customers, vowing to expedite the distribution process.