Overview
- The iPhone Duo will launch Friday, October 23, with Apple warning that most stores will have only small amounts of walk‑in stock and many preorders pushed into 2027.
- Preorders on October 16 overwhelmed available inventory and delivery estimates slipped into late January across configurations as Apple described demand as "nothing short of extraordinary."
- Supply‑chain reports say Apple asked partners to raise a 12‑month shipment target from about 9.7 million to roughly 14 million units to meet demand, but factories still face yield challenges for foldable panels, hinges and assembly.
- Apple and developers are rolling out fixes now: the iOS 27.2 release candidate adds Apple Pencil support for the Duo, more than 50 third‑party apps are being optimized for the foldable layout, and stores are receiving large demo allocations so customers can try the device.
- Reporters say Apple is already testing next‑generation Duo prototypes with under‑display Face ID, a development presented as company testing and not a confirmed shipping feature for future models.