Apple says in-store iPhone Duo stock will be limited at 23 October launch
In short
Apple said stock for walk-in buyers will be limited when the iPhone Duo goes on sale on 23 October. In China, France, Japan, South Korea and other markets, buyers cannot simply walk in and must have bought or reserved online, according to Jiemian and cnBeta. Online pre-orders sold out within minutes, and some delivery dates were pushed to January.
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Apple said that stock available for customers buying directly in store will be limited when the iPhone Duo goes on sale on 23 October, CLS reported on 21 October. Jiemian quoted an Apple statement saying the team looks forward to welcoming customers on Friday morning, that stores will have a limited number of iPhone Duo units, and that the company is working to get the new product to customers as soon as possible. [ 1 , 2 ]
Jiemian reported that the folding phone, which it described as Apple's first, sold out within minutes of online pre-orders opening, pushing many delivery dates to after January. cnBeta said some pre-order shipping dates have since been brought forward as supply chain and logistics arrangements improved, so some buyers may receive their phones earlier than first estimated. [ 2 , 3 ]
cnBeta listed the markets where stores will offer a small amount of walk-in stock: the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK. Some stores in Italy will also sell stock, but Apple has not named them. Macau will have a limited amount of in-store sales on launch day only. [ 3 ]
France, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the UAE face stricter arrangements, according to cnBeta: customers cannot walk in and buy, and must book a pickup time through Apple's online store. Jiemian described the same group slightly differently, saying that in mainland China, Japan, South Korea and France the product is offered only to customers who have already bought it online. cnBeta added that Apple's online store was still telling users to check back later, so it was not known whether new pickup slots would open on launch day. [ 2 , 3 ]
cnBeta said Apple gave two reasons for restricting in-store purchases in some regions: to control crowds during the launch and to curb scalpers hoarding and reselling. For the same reason, it said, Apple had already announced a limit of two devices per customer. Jiemian offered similar explanations, including avoiding crowding and conflict at stores and guarding against scalpers. [ 2 , 3 ]
Jiemian also cited analysts and unnamed supply chain sources who said Apple still needs time to raise manufacturing yields for foldable phones. The sources said early mass-production yield of the hinge was a major challenge and that supply of key components lagged behind Apple's requirements. [ 2 ]
cnBeta gave these specifications: a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer display, the A20 Pro chip, 12GB of memory and up to 2TB of storage. Starting prices are 1,999 dollars in the US, 2,299 euros in Germany and 1,999 pounds in the UK. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The outlets present the launch as one where demand outran first-batch supply, with Apple restricting walk-in sales in many markets. Jiemian and cnBeta both say the limits are meant partly to control crowds and discourage scalpers.
Key facts
- Apple said on 21 October that stock for customers buying directly in store would be limited when the iPhone Duo goes on sale on 23 October. [ 1 ]
- Jiemian reported that online pre-orders sold out within minutes and many delivery dates were pushed to after January. [ 2 ]
- cnBeta listed the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK as markets where stores will offer a small amount of walk-in stock. [ 3 ]
- In China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the UAE, cnBeta said buyers must book a pickup time through Apple's online store. [ 3 ]
- Macau will have only a limited amount of in-store sales on launch day. [ 2 , 3 ]
- cnBeta reported a limit of two devices per customer and a US starting price of 1,999 dollars. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Apple said in-store stock of the iPhone Duo will be limited at the 23 October launch. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Pre-orders were so heavy that some delivery dates were pushed to January. [ 2 , 3 ]
- In mainland China and several other markets, walk-in purchase is restricted to customers who have already bought or booked online. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Macau offers only limited in-store sales on launch day. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether new pickup reservation slots will open on launch day. cnBeta said Apple's online store was still asking users to check back later, so this could not be determined.
- Whether the hinge manufacturing yield is the cause of the shortage. Jiemian attributes this to unnamed supply chain sources; Apple's statements in the documents do not mention it.
- How the restrictions work in mainland China. Jiemian says only customers who already bought online can receive the product; cnBeta says customers must book a pickup time through Apple's online store.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reported Apple's statement (dated 21 October) that in-store stock on 23 October would be limited. [ 1 ]
- Jiemian published its account of the limited launch and the supply issues (22 October). [ 2 ]
- cnBeta published the list of markets with walk-in stock and those requiring online reservation (22 October). [ 3 ]