Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Sells Out Within Hours as Demand Surges

Apple’s first foldable smartphone has attracted overwhelming early interest, with pre-orders selling out within hours of opening and delivery estimates extending into late January 2027. The strong response marks a major moment for the company as it introduces a substantially different design to its flagship iPhone range.

Strong Demand Creates Delivery Delays

The device, called the iPhone Duo, became available for pre-order on October 16, ahead of its planned retail launch on October 23. Apple initially expected customers to receive their phones around the launch date. However, delivery estimates moved rapidly after orders opened, with online purchases facing waits of several months.

Apple described pre-order demand for the new device as “nothing short of extraordinary” and said it was working to get the product into customers’ hands as quickly as possible. The company is continuing to accept online orders, although customers may need to wait longer than initially expected.

The delays have also affected orders placed through mobile carriers. The company has not publicly disclosed the total number of pre-orders or how many devices were available in the initial supply. As a result, the extent to which the delays reflect exceptional demand, limited launch inventory or a combination of both remains uncertain.

Such lengthy waits are unusual for Apple, which has developed a reputation for managing its global manufacturing and distribution network efficiently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, factory disruptions in China also delayed deliveries of some iPhone models, but multi-month waits for a new iPhone are uncommon.

A Major Change to the iPhone Design

The iPhone Duo represents Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone category, where manufacturers have been experimenting with devices that open to provide a larger display. When folded, the Duo is designed to remain compact; when opened, its expanded screen offers more room for viewing content, gaming and multitasking.

The starting price is $1,999 for the model with 256GB of storage. Higher-capacity configurations can cost as much as $3,200, placing the device at the top end of the smartphone market.

Apple is betting that a new form factor will encourage customers with older devices to upgrade. In recent years, the company has explored different iPhone designs, including an ultra-thin model, as it seeks to give consumers more compelling reasons to replace their existing phones.

Supply Challenges Across the Electronics Industry

The launch comes amid supply pressures affecting the wider consumer electronics sector. Component shortages, particularly involving memory chips, have made it more difficult for manufacturers to match supply with demand. These constraints have also contributed to higher prices across parts of the smartphone market.

Apple will need to increase production and improve delivery availability if it wants to turn the initial excitement into sustained sales. Long waits may demonstrate strong interest, but they can also frustrate buyers who expect to receive a premium device soon after ordering.

Holiday Sales Outlook

The foldable iPhone arrives as Apple enters the important year-end shopping period. The company's latest iPhone 18 Pro models have also recorded a strong launch, with particular interest reported in markets such as China and India.

Apple has additionally received regulatory approval in China for its Apple Intelligence features, developed with Alibaba, potentially opening the way for the delayed introduction of those services in the country.

The coming months will show whether the Duo's early popularity continues after launch and whether production can catch up with orders. For now, the rapid sellout gives Apple a strong opening in the foldable-phone market, while also highlighting the challenge of supplying an expensive and technically complex new product at scale.