iPhone Duo Preorders Sell Out, Now Backordered to January 2027

Preorders vanish, delivery dates slip to 2027

Apple opened iPhone Duo preorders on Friday at 5 a.m. PT, and the first foldable sold out in minutes. As of now, any new preorder won't ship until January 29, 2027.

The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable phone, and demand appears to have caught even Apple off guard. Preorders went live on Apple's website and the Apple Store app at 5 a.m. PT on Friday, and by the time most people woke up, shipping estimates had already slipped to late January 2027.

That's a four-month wait from the October 23 release date. If you want the phone before 2027, your best bet is to try an Apple Store or a carrier retailer on launch day. Inventory will be limited, and there's no guarantee you'll walk out with one.

The sellout echoes the pattern we saw with previous iPhone launches, but the foldable's higher price and niche appeal make the speed more surprising. It suggests pent-up demand from iPhone users who have been waiting for Apple to enter the foldable market. If you're still hoping to snag one, our guide to the best iPhone Duo preorder deals covers the current offers.

What you get for $1,999

The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and pairs a 5.4-inch outer display with a 7.6-inch inner screen, the largest ever on an iPhone.

When closed, the Duo looks like a compact iPhone with a 5.4-inch outer display. Open it up and you get a 7.6-inch tablet-sized screen, the largest iPhone display yet. CNET's Abrar Al Heeti, who briefly handled the device, described it as a compact iPhone that doubles as an iPad Mini, well suited for media consumption.

She also noted that the crease is virtually invisible when the screen is on, a key detail for anyone who has been put off by the visible fold line on earlier foldables.

The phone packs two 48-megapixel cameras, a main and an ultrawide, and supports the Apple Pencil. Multitasking features include drag-and-drop similar to an iPad, which could make it a genuine productivity tool rather than just a big phone.

Trade-in offers and Apple's Upgrade program can lower the out-of-pocket cost, but the $1,999 starting price puts it firmly in luxury territory. As we noted in our analysis of the iPhone Duo's price, this isn't a phone for most buyers.

Late to the fold, but does it matter?

Apple is years behind Samsung and Google in foldables, but that may not matter to iPhone loyalists.

Samsung's Galaxy Fold 8 and Galaxy Flip 8, along with Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold, have been on the market for years. Apple is playing catch-up, and the iPhone Duo's price is higher than most of those rivals.

The bigger question is whether the Duo can tempt Android foldable fans to switch. Apple's ecosystem lock-in is powerful, but foldable buyers are often tech enthusiasts who already have strong opinions about hardware. The Duo's polish and Apple Pencil support might win some over, but the January backorder means most people won't get one until 2027 anyway.

For now, the sellout is a clear signal that Apple's fanbase was hungry for a foldable, even at $1,999. And if you're worried about long-term costs, our report on iPhone Duo repair costs shows that AppleCare is worth considering.

Availability and pricing for US, UK, and EU

The iPhone Duo is available for preorder in the US, UK, and EU, though shipping delays apply across all regions. In the US, the phone starts at $1,999. UK and EU pricing haven't been officially confirmed, but expect it to be around £1,999 and €2,299 respectively, based on Apple's usual conversion and tax adjustments.

In-store availability begins October 23. If you're in the US, you can check Apple Store stock online starting that morning. UK and EU Apple Stores will also have limited units, but lines are expected. Carriers may have separate inventory, so it's worth checking with your provider.

Apple's first foldable is a hit, but the wait is real. If you missed the preorder window, mark October 23 on your calendar and hope for store stock. Otherwise, you're looking at a late-January delivery—and by then, we'll know if the Duo lives up to the hype.