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Ten days after its launch, Apple cannot say when the iPhone Duo will be sufficiently available. CEO John Ternus did not give a date in an interview with Reuters. He also addressed the cracks in the internal display and explained how Apple is handling the affected devices.
During the quarterly earnings call, Ternus spoke to Reuters about the iPhone Duo. The device is not yet included in the figures because it only went on sale on October 23. According to Reuters, it sold out online within hours and caused long lines outside Apple Stores.
His statements address the two points that have been central since the launch: availability and the internal display. All articles about the device can be found on the iPhone Duo topic page.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Ternus says the iPhone Duo is currently in short supply, but he does not specify when the shortage will end.
- According to him, the production ramp-up is going well.
- Only a very small percentage of the devices were returned due to display problems.
- Apple will replace these devices.
- In Germany, the Apple Store online currently lists January 25th for all configurations.
No date has been set for the end of the shortage
According to Reuters, Apple cannot meet overall demand and has no timeline for when it will be able to do so. Ternus puts it this way:
The duo is currently in short supply. The ramp-up is going well, and we are working hard to deliver it to as many customers as possible as quickly as possible. But at the moment, we cannot predict when supply and demand will be in balance.
Pre-orders started on October 16th, and Apple itself described the demand at the time as exceptional. On the same day, the online delivery time in Germany jumped to January 25th, 2027, though some buyers later reported earlier delivery dates. At launch in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Apple Stores had limited quantities available for customers without pre-orders.
Online, nothing has changed: Tonight, the German Apple Store is showing January 25th for all configurations. This may differ in individual Apple Stores, as new devices are constantly arriving.
Devices with display problems will be replaced
Regarding the cracks in the internal display, Ternus says that a "very small percentage" of the devices were returned due to display problems, and Apple is replacing them. He does not specify a percentage, nor does he mention a cause.
| Date | Status |
|---|---|
| October 23 | Sales launch, first reports of cracks in the internal display |
| October 26 | Apple confirms a problem affecting a small number of devices, referring users to AppleCare for a replacement |
| Week beginning October 26 | Memo to Apple Stores and authorized Apple Service Providers: inspect, then repair or replace, no recall. |
| November 2nd | Ternus: very small percentage returned, devices are replaced |
Apple had previously spoken of a small number of affected devices, while Ternus is now referring to the percentage of returned devices. The memo stipulated repair or replacement. The transcript of the conversation mentions only replacement, as did Apple's statement from October 26.
Why this statement matters to buyers
I find the answer regarding the shortage remarkably open. Anyone who doesn't want to wait until January 25th needs to be quick and check the stock in Apple Stores daily to snag a device.
Regarding the display, the statement remains a consolation, albeit with reservations. A replacement is the best solution for those affected, but there is currently no service program, so each case is still assessed individually. Without AppleCare, Apple charges €1,149 for a new internal display; with AppleCare, it's €99, which is yet another reason to know the repair costs for the iPhone Duo before buying it.
Would you wait until January for an iPhone Duo, or has the display issue put you off altogether? Let us know in the comments how long you'd be willing to wait for the device.
