iPhone Duo Sells Out in Minutes as Pre-Orders Open, With Shipping Pushed to Late November

Apple's first foldable went on pre-order Friday at 5 a.m. Pacific in more than 70 countries and regions. Launch-day units vanished almost at once, and new orders now show delivery as late as Nov. 23.

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, at 5 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, Oct. 16, and the launch-day supply was gone within minutes. AppleInsider reported that shipping estimates slipped to Nov. 16 almost as soon as orders opened, then to Nov. 23 for every configuration.

The phone starts at $1,999 with 256 gigabytes of storage and comes in two colors, star white and night sky. Buyers who secured a launch-day order will receive it on Friday, Oct. 23, the same day the iPhone Duo goes on sale in Apple Stores. MacRumors reported that pre-orders went live in more than 70 countries and regions, through apple.com, the Apple Store app and carriers including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Tim Cook marked the moment on X. “We can’t wait for the world to experience the iPhone Duo next week! Pre-orders start today,” Apple’s chief executive wrote, alongside a short video of the device.

*Screenshot: @tim_cook on X announcing iPhone Duo pre-orders*

The rush was expected. Apple spent the week steering buyers to its Get Ready tool, which let customers save a color, storage tier, carrier, trade-in and payment method before 9 p.m. Pacific on Thursday so they could check out with a single click. Engadget noted that the online Apple Store went dark before the start with a placeholder that read, “We love that early energy.”

Apple does not disclose how many units it builds for launch, but AppleInsider said the iPhone Duo is believed to have been produced in smaller numbers than a typical new iPhone, after reports of manufacturing delays on the complex design. It is also the most expensive iPhone Apple has sold. Customers who missed the first wave can still order, but they should not expect the phone in October. AppleInsider added that Apple Stores will have at least some stock on Oct. 23.

The iPhone Duo’s 5.4-inch outer display and 7.6-inch inner display Photo: Apple

For the money, buyers get Apple’s largest iPhone display. Closed, the iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer screen that Apple says delivers 90 percent of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro. Opened, the 7.6-inch inner display is 50 percent larger than the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the phone is 5.2 millimeters thin, the thinnest iPhone Apple has made, according to MacRumors. Apple says the hinge is precision engineered, and MacRumors reported it uses more than 100 components.

iPhone Duo in star white and night sky Photo: Apple

Inside is Apple’s A20 Pro chip with a dual-battery design. The rear camera system pairs a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera, which Apple says offers an optical-quality 2x telephoto option, with a 48-megapixel Fusion ultra wide camera that also handles macro shots. There is no dedicated telephoto lens. A second FaceTime camera sits beneath the inner display for video calls when the phone is open or propped on a table. The phone uses Touch ID rather than Face ID, MacRumors reported, and it is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance.

Split View multitasking with Siri and Mail on the iPhone Duo’s inner display Photo: Apple

Software is built around the fold. iOS 27 reacts as the device opens, reorients when it is turned sideways and switches to the correct screen when it is flipped over. The larger display supports Split View multitasking, and StandBy can run on either screen. Apple’s new Siri AI, rolling out in beta in English with iOS 27, can stay open alongside an app on the inner display.

Apple is pushing several ways to soften the price. Its Apple Upgrade leasing program, run by Klarna, starts at $57.99 a month on a 24-month lease. Apple Trade In offers $175 to $885 in credit for an iPhone 13 or newer, and carrier deals reach up to $1,200 in credit with the trade-in of an iPhone 14 Pro Max or newer. MacRumors noted that some iPhone Duo repair fees reach $1,499 without AppleCare+.

The iPhone Duo Folio in taupe, with its built-in kickstand Photo: Apple

Apple also opened orders for two cases made for the phone. The iPhone Duo Folio comes in navy blue and taupe and has a built-in kickstand, and the thinner iPhone Duo Case, in sand and navy blue, uses a two-part design that wraps both halves. Both work with MagSafe and Qi2 25W chargers.

The next test comes on Oct. 23, when the first buyers open the box and the hinge meets everyday pockets. Techtember covered Apple’s Get Ready window earlier this week.

Video: @tim_cook on X, Oct. 16, 2026

Sources: Apple Newsroom, “Open up to new possibilities with iPhone Duo,” updated Oct. 15, 2026, https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/10/open-up-to-new-possibilities-with-iphone-duo/; Apple, iPhone Duo product page, https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/; MacRumors, Juli Clover, “iPhone Duo Now Available to Pre-Order From Apple,” Oct. 16, 2026, https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/16/iphone-duo-now-available-to-pre-order/; AppleInsider, William Gallagher, “iPhone Duo sells out moments after pre-orders begin,” Oct. 16, 2026, https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/10/16/iphone-duo-sells-out-moments-after-pre-orders-begin; Engadget, Steve Dent, “Apple’s $2,000 iPhone Duo goes on pre-order today at 8AM ET,” Oct. 16, 2026, https://www.engadget.com/2288565/apple-iphone-duo-pre-orders-open-today/; @tim_cook on X, Oct. 16, 2026, https://x.com/tim_cook/status/2111056812212687246.

Maya Chen, Gadgets. Maya Chen is a senior correspondent covering phones, laptops, and consumer gadgets. Previously reported hardware launches for trade titles; based in San Francisco.