Apple's New Foldable iPhone Duo Faces Overwhelming Demand, Pushing Delivery Dates into 2025

Apple has acknowledged the extraordinary demand for its new foldable iPhone Duo, stating they will "work hard" to meet customer orders as supply struggles to keep pace, leading to significant delays in delivery dates. The highly anticipated device, marking Apple's entry into the foldable market, was unveiled last month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and represents the first major hardware launch under CEO John Ternus. Online pre-orders for the Duo commenced on Friday, but customers rapidly encountered delivery estimates shifting from November to December, and by Saturday, extending into late January. In the UAE, Apple's online store currently indicates a January 22 delivery date for all storage and color options, mirroring estimates in the US and UK. It remains uncertain if delivery windows differ in other regions. In contrast, the iPhone 18 Pro has an estimated delivery time of two to three weeks. Typically, the period following a new iPhone launch sees extended lead times, which gradually decrease to about a week once the initial excitement subsides.

"The preorder demand for iPhone Duo ... has been nothing short of extraordinary," an Apple representative stated to The National on Saturday, emphasizing the company's commitment to delivering devices "as quickly as possible." Online sales will continue as Apple prepares to welcome customers to its retail stores globally.

The strong consumer interest could signal a successful debut for Apple's foldable, entering a market that became mainstream nearly a decade ago. This surge also suggests potential growth in the foldable category, following Samsung Electronics' report of record orders for its latest Galaxy Z foldables introduced in July. While Apple does not disclose specific sales figures, Counterpoint Research had projected approximately six million Duo sales this year, attributing this to strong demand and a competitive price point, just $100 more than the refreshed Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Analysts had anticipated a higher price for the iPhone Duo. Bloomberg Intelligence now estimates that sales could reach 14 million units, contributing around $28 billion to Apple's revenue in the 2027 fiscal year. Prices for the iPhone Duo in the UAE range from Dh8,499 to Dh13,599.