Apple has publicly acknowledged the scale of the iPhone Duo launch rush, describing pre-order demand for its first foldable iPhone as “nothing short of extraordinary” after delivery estimates slipped into 2027 within hours.
In a statement to the Financial Times, Apple said it is working to get iPhone Duo into customers’ hands as quickly as possible as the company faces one of the most severe iPhone launch backlogs in years.
The statement is notable because Apple has now directly characterized demand as exceptionally strong rather than leaving analysts and customers to infer demand from slipping delivery dates alone.
Pre-orders opened on Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. PT, and launch-day delivery disappeared within minutes. The Apple Post reported that new orders had already slipped into January 2027 shortly after pre-orders began, pushing customers placing fresh orders more than three months beyond the October 23 release date.
Apple’s own description adds important context to the debate over whether the shortage is being driven by unexpectedly high demand, constrained launch supply, or both. Our earlier analysis concluded that both factors were likely contributing, with strong early demand being amplified by reports of limited initial production.
That remains the most balanced interpretation. Apple reportedly increased iPhone Duo supply-chain orders by 30% ahead of pre-orders, but production challenges around the device’s new foldable hardware were also expected to keep early availability tight. Apple’s reported last-minute order increase suggested the company was already preparing for stronger-than-expected demand.
The scale of the shortage is now spilling beyond Apple’s own store. iPhone Duo delivery dates have moved toward February while early units have appeared on eBay at heavily inflated prices, underlining how quickly supply has tightened.
Apple says it will continue accepting iPhone Duo orders while working through the backlog. Delivery estimates can still move forward if production improves, cancellations free up stock or Apple reallocates inventory, but the company has not promised that current January estimates will improve.
The question now is how quickly Apple can turn what it is calling extraordinary demand into available stock. The company launches iPhone Duo on Friday, October 23, with prices starting at $1,999 in the United States and £1,999 in the UK.
For the latest iPhone Duo availability, launch-day stock updates and Apple analysis, download The Apple Post app on iPhone and iPad.