Apple iPhone Duo Preorders Delayed Until 2027 Amid Frenzied Demand

Apple enthusiasts expressed outrage after preorders for the company's new iPhone Duo were significantly delayed, with some delivery dates extending into January 2027. The initial preorder window, which opened on October 16 at 8 a.m. EST, saw the foldable device sell out within minutes.

While early purchasers were slated to receive their phones on the product's launch date of October 23, customers who placed orders even shortly after the sale began encountered extended shipping estimates. As of 8:30 a.m. EST on October 16, Apple's U.S. store indicated delivery dates in late January for all configurations of the iPhone Duo, including various colors and storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB.

The delays sparked frustration among buyers. "iPhone Duo won’t deliver until January 25th 2027?" one user posted on X, sharing a screenshot of their delayed order. Another customer noted that even after pre-ordering quickly, their delivery date slipped to early November, with higher storage models like the 1TB and 2TB versions now expected in late November or early December.

Some users described their preorder attempts as a battle to secure a device, with one individual detailing a chaotic experience. This customer logged on at 8:03 a.m. but encountered technical issues. After finally accessing the ordering system a minute later, they found their initial delivery estimate was November 2nd. They then selected an in-store pickup option for release day, only to find that option quickly became unavailable, pushing their estimated delivery to between November 23rd and December 1st.

Another user reported their order was pushed back to December, despite setting up their preorder two weeks in advance and attempting to complete the purchase the moment the Apple Store app opened. They experienced glitches that prevented them from finalizing the transaction.

The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display, which expands to be 80% larger than the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro when unfolded, complemented by a 5.4-inch outer screen. The device weighs just over half a pound and folds to a compact size.

During its unveiling, Apple CEO John Ternus remarked that while early foldable phones could feel like "two phones awkwardly stuck together," the Duo's design minimizes the appearance of creases when closed. Analysts suggest this new device could play a significant role in popularizing foldable phones, similar to Apple's impact on the smartwatch and wireless earbud markets.