Overview
- Apple confirmed limited walk-in availability for launch day, Oct. 23, and told customers to pre-order because many stores will have only a small number of units for immediate sale.
- Preorders overwhelmed inventory, with online delivery estimates slipping into January 2027 within minutes and stores capping purchases to limit scalping and crowds.
- The iOS 27.2 release candidate on review units enables Apple Pencil support for the Duo with the public update expected around Oct. 26, and Apple has said the phone works only with the USB‑C Apple Pencil.
- Early reviewers praised the Duo’s engineering, battery life and multitasking potential but widely criticized the 4MP under‑display FaceTime camera, noted the switch to a side Touch ID sensor in place of Face ID, and flagged many apps that are not yet optimized for the wide foldable canvas.
- Apple has reportedly raised its 12‑month production target to about 14 million units to meet demand, though panel and hinge yield issues persist, and an uncorroborated tipster video showing a soft area near the inner crease has emerged as a developing hardware concern to watch.