Missed the Apple iPhone Duo pre-order rush? Here’s when you could finally get Apple’s first foldable iPhone

Apple’s first foldable iPhone has taken everyone by surprise. It got sold out within minutes of pre-orders opening, leaving many buyers facing a long wait. The iPhone Duo went up for pre-order today October 16 but delivery estimates quickly have shifted significantly. The rapid shift has raised questions about whether Apple can meet demand for its highly anticipated new device.

Why did iPhone Duo pre-orders sell out so quickly?

Apple opened iPhone Duo pre-orders at 8 a.m. Eastern time on October 16. The first customers who ordered early are expected to receive their devices on the October 23 launch day.


But the window for launch-day delivery was short. By around 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, Apple's online store was showing January 25, 2027, as the estimated shipping date for all configurations. Some buyers were even seeing January 29. Th einputs are taken from various outlets- Mac Rumors, 9To5Mac and Investing.com.

The delay applies across both available colors, Star White and Night Sky, and every listed storage option. The same January estimate appeared across configurations, suggesting that buyers could not avoid the backorder by choosing a different color or storage capacity.

Apple has warned that “demand will be high” for the new phone. However, the company has not revealed how many units were available when pre-orders began, so it remains unclear how much the sellout reflects strong demand and how much comes from limited supply.

Supply shortages may be adding to the delays

Reports before the launch had already raised concerns about iPhone Duo production. Nikkei Asia reported last month that Apple was making only a few hundred units per day, well behind the production ramp for a typical iPhone launch.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also indicated that supplies would be limited, following earlier reports of manufacturing challenges and low production yields.

The quick move to January delivery estimates suggests that supply is struggling to keep pace with early orders. Still, Apple's shipping dates depend on both supply and demand, and the available information does not establish how many phones were offered during the initial pre-order period.

Apple shares rose 2% in premarket trading on Friday after the foldable phone sold out shortly after orders opened. Investors will be watching future availability to see whether the early interest continues beyond launch.

Can buyers still get an iPhone Duo before January?

Buyers who missed pre-orders may still have a chance to find the phone sooner. Apple Stores could have limited stock available when the iPhone Duo launches on October 23, although inventory for walk-in customers is expected to be tight.

Apple's store pickup option briefly appeared during pre-orders but was later disabled. Customers were told to check again on Saturday, October 24, for pickup availability.

The phone is also being sold through resellers such as Best Buy, offering another place for buyers to check. Meanwhile, eBay already has dozens of iPhone Duo pre-orders listed by resellers, with some asking as much as $5,200.

With Apple's online store now showing delivery dates in 2027, getting the first foldable iPhone before Christmas may be difficult for anyone who did not order quickly. Whether more stock arrives sooner remains uncertain.