Apple’s iPhone Duo has gone on sale worldwide to strong demand, with queues returning to stores as limited walk-in stock fuels a scramble for the company’s first foldable handset.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone has reached stores, drawing queues that echoed the company’s earliest launch days as buyers arrived hours before opening. MacRumors reported that the iPhone Duo went on sale on 23 October 2026 at Apple Stores and through third-party retailers, with demand strong enough to create long lines at locations around the world. Apple’s retail chief, Deirdre O’Brien, joined chief executive John Ternus at the Apple Domain NORTHSIDE store in Austin, Texas, while marketing chief Greg Joswiak appeared at the company’s Fifth Avenue store in New York, underscoring the importance of the launch.
The company had prepared for tight supply. According to Apple’s own guidance reported by MacRumors, walk-in availability on launch day was limited and customers were told to check local stock before travelling. Even so, store pickup remained possible in some locations, although inventory varied sharply by outlet and pre-order deliveries were already being fulfilled. The message from Apple was clear: anyone hoping to buy one without a reservation should expect availability to be patchy.
Early reviews have been broadly positive about the main folding display, which Apple has pitched as central to the device’s appeal for video, gaming and multitasking. The smaller outer screen, however, has drawn criticism for its limited size, and reviewers have also noted the handset’s weight. Apple says it has adapted iOS 27 for the folding format, enabling two apps to sit side by side, while the device uses the A20 Pro chip and a hinge designed to support the panel when open.
The launch matters beyond Apple’s own product line because the company is arriving late to a market already occupied by several rivals. Even so, analysts cited in the lead coverage believe the iPhone Duo could quickly become the dominant folding phone, possibly within one or two years. Bloomberg has also reported that a second-generation model, expected next year, may add Face ID and a telephoto camera, suggesting Apple is already planning an aggressive follow-up rather than treating this as a one-off experiment.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
