iPhone Duo Launches Amidst Global Demand and Shipping Delays

Apple's highly anticipated iPhone Duo has officially gone on sale globally, triggering significant customer turnout with large queues forming outside Apple Stores in major cities including London, Bangkok, and Sydney.

The foldable device, which features a £1,999 starting price, has experienced overwhelming demand since pre-orders opened last week. Online shoppers encountered substantial shipping delays, with the earliest available delivery date for any model pushed to January 22. This has prompted many eager consumers to visit physical stores in hopes of securing the device on release day.

Reports from various locations indicate a strong customer presence. One user on X described a large crowd gathering at an Apple Store in Macau, reportedly 48 hours before the official launch time. Images from London, Bangkok, and Sydney depict lines of shoppers waiting to enter stores.

Apple announced the iPhone Duo at an event last month, with pre-orders commencing on October 16. However, the company's website quickly showed dwindling stock, with all configurations of color and memory size experiencing shortages. Some customers reported that their estimated delivery dates were pushed back significantly, even while in the process of checking out.

"Every variation of the iPhone Duo is sold out until January 2027… all within 1 hour of pre-orders opening!" one disappointed user posted on social media. Another described the pre-order experience as a "disaster," citing website errors and order cancellations.

The iPhone Duo is available in two colors, Star White and Night Sky, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. The device features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner folding display. Its specifications include a 48MP dual rear camera system and a 12MP front/internal camera. The foldable design allows for multiple viewing orientations, and its A20 Pro chipset supports multitasking capabilities. Apple has also indicated that the screen will support the Apple Pencil, a first for an iPhone model.

The device's pricing starts at £1,999 for the 256GB model, with the 2TB version costing £3,199. The iPhone Duo shares a form factor with Samsung's foldable offerings, featuring a book-like design where the screen is wider than it is tall when unfolded. Both displays utilize a 1.4 aspect ratio to ensure app compatibility across different screen configurations.