iPhone Duo Pre-Orders Sell Out in Minutes as US Deliveries Slip to January 2027

Estimates differ by model, retailer and minute, and some buyers can still pick up a phone on October 23.

Pravin KankanePublished 18 October 2026Updated 24 October 20264 min read

Apple's first foldable iPhone sold out of its launch allocation almost immediately. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo opened on Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific time, and US delivery estimates had slid to late January 2027 within about 30 minutes (The Next Web, MacDailyNews).

How fast the estimates moved

The first delivery windows were roughly three months earlier than the dates buyers saw half an hour later. By Friday afternoon, the US Apple Store showed January 25, 2027 for all models, and some later orders were quoted around January 29. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that launch-day stock for Apple's retail stores also ran out almost as soon as pre-orders began.

The picture was less uniform elsewhere. Engadget reported that some buyers saw November or December windows, Best Buy showed November shipping, and some customers could arrange Apple Store pickup on October 23, the day the phone went on sale. Availability varied by model, retailer and the minute an order was placed.

What Apple has said

Apple said in a statement that "the pre-order demand for iPhone Duo, our first foldable iPhone, has been nothing short of extraordinary," and that it is working to get the phone to customers quickly and will keep accepting orders (MacDailyNews). The statement was reported via the Financial Times and CNBC. Apple has not said how many units it sold or built.

Demand, or limited supply?

Some observers argue the sellout reflects tight supply as much as demand. China's Jiemian News reported Foxconn final-assembly yields only slightly above 60 percent in September, and other unconfirmed reports put early output at a few hundred units a day. Apple has not commented on either figure. With the shortfall landing in the holiday quarter, when Apple books its heaviest sales, the supply question will matter for its next earnings.

The resale market

Early pre-orders have been listed on eBay at prices up to about $5,000 to $5,200, against a US starting price of $1,999 for 256GB. A listing price is not a sale price, and there is no evidence yet of what buyers are actually paying.

In India

iPhone Duo (India)	Price
256GB	Rs 2,99,900
512GB	Rs 3,24,900
1TB	Rs 3,74,900
2TB	Rs 4,49,900

India was among the first-wave countries, with sales from October 23. The shortage has reached India too: 91mobiles reports grey-market sellers asking about Rs 50,000 over Apple's price. Check delivery dates on Apple's India store or the Apple Store app, and avoid paying premiums to unofficial sellers. Full India pricing details are in our iPhone Duo India price story.

What buyers can do

Check Apple Store pickup slots daily, watch authorised retailers that may get limited stock, and expect delivery dates to move as shipments arrive. Apple says pre-orders cover more than 70 countries and regions, with a second wave of markets on October 30.