Overview
- Preorders opened on Oct. 16 and sold far faster than Apple expected, leaving many online delivery estimates delayed into January and beyond.
- Apple confirmed a scheduled retail release for Friday, October 23 and said stores will carry only limited walk‑in stock to manage short supply.
- Early reviews praise the Duo’s build, hinge and matte 7.6‑inch inner OLED while warning that many iPhone apps are not yet optimized and that features such as Face ID and a dedicated telephoto lens are absent.
- Reporting and industry sources attribute the long waits to low manufacturing yields for the custom foldable OLED panels and hinge assemblies, and Apple has capped preorders and limited units per customer; the Duo is eSIM‑only and starts at $1,999.
- Rivals are responding: Samsung reports a jump in consumer interest since the Duo’s announcement and leaks suggest it may expand its foldable lineup next year, increasing competition in the category.