iPhone Duo Delivery Dates Slipped to 2027 Almost Immediately

The iPhone Duo went up for preorder at 8 AM ET (5 AM PT) this morning, and delivery estimates immediately started slipping from Apple’s October 23 launch date. As of one hour after orders opened, delivery estimates have slipped to the very end of January 2027, a three-month delay.

Earlier this week, PetaPixel reported that Apple Stores were going to heavily push the iPhone Duo through expansive in-store demonstration areas. However, seemingly Apple will have no trouble selling the Duo, at least during its initial launch window.

Securities Times in China reported earlier this week that Apple had increased its production orders by 30%, though this would still keep total units under 10 million for now.

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first-ever foldable phone, and it has attracted a lot of interest, good and bad. Nothing’s CEO and co-founder of OnePlus, Carl Pei, called the iPhone Duo “a waste of money” this week, as TechRadar notes.

While others, like me, have noted that the Duo lacks some of iPhone’s best camera features, like the latest 48-megapixel camera with variable aperture and the iPhone 18 Pro’s telephoto camera.

Despite any camera hardware shortcomings — the jury is still out on the value of the unique photographic experiences the Duo’s form factor promises — initial impressions have been positive. Those who have gotten their hands on the iPhone Duo have praised its exceptional build quality, engineering, and Apple’s classic attention to detail. The iPhone Duo is a key product for Apple, and it seems to be selling better than even Apple expected.

“Phone Duo delivers Apple’s largest iPhone display ever in a foldable design. Opened, it is the thinnest iPhone ever, with an inner display that is 50 percent larger than the display on iPhone 18 Pro Max — providing a large canvas for viewing content, gaming, and multitasking. Closed, the 5.4-inch outer display delivers 90 percent of the screen area of iPhone 18 Pro in a compact, pocketable design. iPhone Duo is also built to last and features a precision-engineered hinge that offers a smooth, satisfying feel with every use,” Apple says.

So far, despite starting at $1,999 for the 256GB storage option, an $800 premium over the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro, an excellent phone, the market seems excited about the iPhone Duo. Even though some people are definitely very upset that they won’t be getting it on launch day, Apple must be pretty pleased to have such a problem like this on its $5 trillion hands.

---

Image creditsApple