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Just minutes after pre-orders opened, the October 23rd sales launch for new orders was already over. Now Apple itself is commenting on the rush for the first foldable iPhone – with grand pronouncements, but without a single figure.
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo opened on Friday, October 16th, at 2 PM German time. According to the Apple Store, those who order today will not receive their device until the end of January 2027. Apple told the Financial Times that demand is "truly exceptional" and that they are working to get the new product to customers as quickly as possible.
Prices, storage levels and pre-order dates are listed in the overview for the iPhone Duo pre-order launch, all technical data can be found on the iPhone Duo facts page.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple calls the demand for the iPhone Duo exceptional, but does not disclose order numbers.
- In Germany as in the USA, the delivery date jumped within half an hour from October 23rd to January 25th, 2027.
- In the German online store, the same deadline applies to all configurations – 94 days after the start of sales.
- On the supply side, there is a weak yield in final assembly and a production volume of less than 10 million devices for the rest of the year.
From the start of sales to the end of January
Pre-orders began simultaneously, at 2 PM in Germany and 5 AM Pacific Time in the US. In both countries, the delivery date slipped within minutes from October 23rd to November; half an hour after the launch, the order page showed January 25th, 2027. Therefore, delivery this year is no longer possible for new orders placed through Apple.
I personally monitored the progress in the German online store. During my check, Apple displayed January 25, 2027, as the delivery date for all configurations on the afternoon of October 16th, regardless of storage size or color. This means there are 94 days between the start of sales and delivery. The dates differed when picking up orders at the Apple Store, where some earlier time slots became available.
Germany is part of the first wave of iPhone Duo sales on October 23rd. According to Apple, 28 more countries will follow on October 30th.
What Apple says – and what it doesn't say
The statement remains vague. Apple neither mentions the number of pre-ordered devices nor compares them to previous launches. Whether the long delivery times are primarily due to demand or also to limited production cannot be determined from the wording.
The supply side was already a topic of discussion before the launch. In September, the Chinese business platform Jiemian, citing a source in the Foxconn supply chain, reported that only about 60 percent of the devices passed final assembly inspection. In mid-October, a report in the Securities Times followed, claiming that Apple had increased orders with suppliers by 30 percent – but that the quantity for the rest of the year would remain below 10 million devices. Both figures come from individual, unnamed sources and have not been confirmed by Apple.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2 p.m. | Pre-orders start in Germany |
| October 23 | Sales launch of the first wave |
| October 30 | Sales launch in 28 more countries |
| January 25, 2027 | Delivery date for new orders via Apple's online store |
Why the statement reveals more about the offer
I interpret Apple's wording primarily as an announcement that supply will remain tight. A company with enough devices wouldn't need to emphasize that it's working on rapid delivery. The exceptional demand is hitting a product whose production, according to supply chain reports, isn't yet running smoothly – and a quota that Apple is reportedly keeping below 10 million units despite increasing production.
For buyers in Germany, January 25th is the expected delivery date for online orders. Those hoping to get their hands on the duo sooner should regularly check the Apple Store app for available pickups. In my experience, stores periodically restock their inventory, which then frees up some earlier pickup slots.
Have you already ordered your iPhone Duo and are now waiting until January – or are you hoping for an available pickup slot at the Apple Store? Let us know in the comments which date the store is showing you.
