Apple to offer limited iPhone Duo stock to walk-in buyers at Friday launch
In short
Apple said its stores will have "limited" iPhone Duo units for walk-in customers when the foldable phone goes on sale on Friday, October 23. Online preorders sold out quickly, and in several countries, including mainland China, France, India and Japan, buyers can only pick up online orders in stores.
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Apple said its stores will have "limited" iPhone Duo units available for walk-in customers when the phone launches on Friday, October 23. In a statement to Reuters, quoted by The Verge, the company said its teams look forward to welcoming customers on Friday morning to experience the iPhone Duo, and that it is working hard to get the product into customers' hands as quickly as possible. MacRumors and 9to5Mac published the same statement. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The Verge, citing Reuters, said limited walk-in availability is planned in the US, Canada, Australia, Mexico and most of the UK and Europe. MacRumors listed the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the UK, plus certain stores in Italy. 9to5Mac's list also included Macao and most stores in Italy. MacRumors said walk-in sales in Macao would be available only on launch day. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
In mainland China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, customers will only be able to pick up online orders in stores. MacRumors said they need to reserve a specific time slot through Apple's online store, which currently advises customers to check back on Saturday, October 24, so it is unclear whether a reservation is possible on Friday. MacRumors said Apple restricts walk-in availability in some countries at launch in part to manage crowd sizes and as an anti-scalping measure. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Online preorders sold out quickly, according to The Verge, with some delivery estimates extending into next year. 9to5Mac said preorders were almost instantly backordered, that January delivery estimates currently apply, and that reports keep coming in of preorder dates being moved up. MacRumors said Apple expects supply to sell out quickly on Friday given "extraordinary" preorder demand. CNET gave an estimated delivery of Jan. 25 when adding two to its bag. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
CNBC, which cited Reuters, said Apple is also capping purchases at two per customer and that wait times now exceed three months. CNBC described this as a function of both strong demand and supply constraints. CNET said the Apple Store displays a message that a maximum of two iPhone Duo can be purchased per customer, and said the limit will presumably also apply in stores. CNET added that customers may have to wait in line overnight. [ 5 , 6 ]
The Verge described the iPhone Duo as Apple's first foldable, with a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen, starting at $1,999. It said recent reports had suggested Apple might not have enough units for walk-in sales because of supply constraints. CNET noted that Samsung, Motorola and Google already sell foldables. [ 2 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The statements indicate that people hoping to buy an iPhone Duo without a preorder face scarce stock at launch. Outlets also report delivery estimates for online orders running into January.
Key facts
- Apple said in a statement that Apple Stores will have limited iPhone Duo available for walk-in customers on Friday morning. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The iPhone Duo launches on Friday, October 23, and online preorders sold out quickly. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Walk-in sales are planned in the US, Canada, Australia, Mexico and a number of European countries; in mainland China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates only pickup of online orders is offered. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable, with a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen, and starts at $1,999. [ 2 ]
- Apple is limiting purchases to two iPhone Duo per customer, according to CNBC and CNET. [ 5 , 6 ]
- CNBC said wait times for the Duo exceed three months; CNET gave an estimated delivery of Jan. 25 for an order of two. [ 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Apple said its stores will have limited iPhone Duo available for walk-in customers at the Friday launch. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- In mainland China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, customers can only pick up online orders in stores rather than buy as walk-ins. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Online preorders for the iPhone Duo sold out or were backordered shortly after they opened. [ 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- Purchases are capped at two iPhone Duo per customer. [ 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether customers can reserve Apple Store pickup slots on launch day. MacRumors said Apple's online store advises customers to check back on Saturday, October 24 for pickup reservations, so it is unclear if a reservation is possible on Friday.
- Whether the two-per-customer limit applies to in-store sales. CNET said the limit will presumably also apply in stores; the message it quoted came from the Apple online store.
- How many iPhone Duo units will be available to walk-in customers. Apple's statement says only "limited"; no document gives a number.
- Exactly which countries will have walk-in stock. The Verge, citing Reuters, said most of the UK and Europe; MacRumors and 9to5Mac listed specific countries, and both said Italy would have walk-in supply at only some stores (MacRumors: certain stores; 9to5Mac: most stores). MacRumors said Macao walk-in sales are for launch day only.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters published its report that Apple will have limited iPhone Duo units in stores on Friday. [ 1 ]
- The Verge reported Apple's statement to Reuters. [ 2 ]
- MacRumors published a statement from an Apple spokesperson on walk-in availability. [ 3 ]
- 9to5Mac published Apple's statement and the list of countries with walk-in stock. [ 4 ]
- CNBC reported the limited walk-in stock and the cap of two per customer. [ 5 ]
- CNET published its report on the two-per-person limit. [ 6 ]