iPhone Duo has been hard to get because Apple did almost everything wrong — here's what we know
A new report claims Apple really messed up the iPhone Duo launch, and that may be why they're so hard to get.
The iPhone Duo has been difficult to obtain due to several factors revealed by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The main issue appears to be that Apple rushed the product to market, originally intending to launch in November with the foldable limited to the U.S. and China initially. This lack of preparation led Apple to admit the situation was "nothing short of extraordinary" when so many people attempted to acquire the device.
Moreover, Apple chose to prioritize in-store purchases for the launch weekend, reserving roughly 80% of its supply for walk-in buyers at Apple Stores. The stores received only 50 to 250 units per location, depending on size and placement. High storage options and blue units were especially scarce, often requiring customers to wait in line to secure a unit.
Additionally, Apple faced challenges from scalpers who used bots to rapidly purchase available inventory, both for online purchase and in-store pickup. The lack of transparency surrounding the launch process has further complicated matters for potential buyers. To secure an iPhone Duo, consumers must wait for Apple, carriers, and major retailers to distribute units.
Vigilant in-store pickup attempts may yield results for some, but this approach is hindered by the competition with bots. Ultimately, purchasing a scalper unit at a higher price not only wastes money but also encourages this practice, leading to increased demand for scalpers.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
