Apple’s first folding smartphone saw initial stock deplete within hours as pre-orders opened, pushing delivery estimates into January 2027.
Customers ordering Apple’s first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, saw estimated shipping dates slip to January 2027 within five hours of pre-orders opening at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday.
TechRadar reported that delivery estimates for all storage configurations in both Star White and Night Sky moved past the holiday shopping period and into the new year. Before orders went live, Apple took its online storefront offline with a placeholder message reading, “We love that early energy,” according to Engadget.
Delivery delays and store glitches
Within roughly 25 minutes of pre-orders starting, shipping windows were already slipping toward late December 2026 and early 2027. Buyers documented mounting delays on social media alongside technical issues with Apple Store apps, which became unresponsive or failed to recall pre-saved customer information.
The immediate supply squeeze drew comparisons to earlier launches with heavy backlogs, including the original iPhone X and the Jet Black versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The delays were not limited to foldables, as shoppers seeking an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max faced shipping estimates between late October and mid-November. Among individual shoppers, one buyer secured a 256GB Night Sky phone at 8 a.m. Eastern Time with an estimated delivery between mid-November and December, while tech writer Jason Cipriani reported an expected delivery date in mid-December.
Screen dimensions and hardware trade-offs
The device sells for $2,000 and features a 5.4-inch outer display paired with an unfolded 7.6-inch inner OLED matte widescreen. In a hands-on review for Engadget, Sam Rutherford called the folding handset “Apple’s most exciting device in a decade,” noting that the inner screen functions like a small iPad and displays subtle gradient and depth-of-field visual effects across a seamless surface.
Despite the high price tag, the phone omits several features found on standard flagship models. It lacks Face ID, and the primary camera does not have the variable aperture system available on new iPhone 18 Pro devices. The inner display also relies on an under-display FaceTime camera that serves as a downgrade, even though it gives the opened screen a cleaner appearance. Storage tiers include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB options.
Carrier promotions and retail availability
Third-party retailers and cellular providers are offering separate inventory pools alongside their own promotional discounts. In the United States, Apple is offering trade-in credits up to $885, while AT&T is advertising trade-in and new-line promotions reaching up to $1,200. T-Mobile provides trade-in discounts up to $1,000, and Xfinity matches that $1,000 credit ceiling when paired with an unlimited mobile plan. Red Pocket is knocking $100 off unlocked devices, while Verizon lists the phone and an unlimited plan at $72.22 per month, reduced from $105.55.
Carriers in the United Kingdom have rolled out trade-ins and installment plans as well. Three provides trade-in discounts reaching £1,035, while Vodafone offers up to £855 off with trade-in alongside monthly rates from £27.45. Sky sells the device from £47 per month with an upfront fee of £12, EE offers contracts starting at £73.57 monthly, and Tesco Mobile provides up to £90 in savings with a Clubcard plus a £100 gift card. Retailers such as Best Buy are also stocking different storage and finish combinations.
In-store launch plans
Buyers hoping to avoid a months-long wait may find alternative paths on launch day. While Engadget reported that the phone launches on October 23, TechRadar stated that physical Apple stores could have stock on October 24. Customers can also check the official Apple website starting on launch day to look for local store pickup availability across different colors and capacities.
