Apple Starts iPhone Duo Preorders as Stock Sells Out in Minutes
Apple launched preorders for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, with initial stock selling out across multiple global markets within minutes, hvg.hu reported. Customers attempting to order the device now face delivery windows stretching into January 2027 due to supply constraints and high demand.
The device arrives amid a broader push by Apple into foldable hardware, carrying a starting price of $1,999 internationally and 899,990 forints in domestic markets. Bloomberg supply chain analyst Mark Gurman attributes the severe delivery delays not only to consumer demand, but also to component shortages that limited manufacturing volume at launch. Spanning an international price range between $1,999 and $3,000 depending on storage capacity—translated domestically as 899,990 to 1,499,990 forints—the phone stands as the most expensive iPhone ever released, potentially motivating users who previously purchased top-tier Pro Max models to switch, viewing the mobile primarily or additionally as a status symbol rather than a mere utility device. Forecasts suggest Apple may sell as many iPhone Duos over the next half-year as the entire market will achieve throughout 2025, which appears justified given the new product category previously unavailable to iPhone buyers, though it remains questionable how many customers will sustainably remain willing to pay an entry price of $2,000 or more for a smartphone.
Domestic Preorders Disappear in Ten Minutes
Hungarian buyers rushed the Apple Store when preorders opened at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, exhausting basic inventory within ten minutes, Index.hu reported. System availability shifted rapidly as transactions cleared, with entry-level 256GB models priced at 899,990 forints disappearing first. By 14:07, the online ordering system could only guarantee delivery by the October 23 premiere date for the 2TB configuration priced at 1,499,990 forints.
Buyers who missed the initial ordering window faced climbing delivery estimates. Current orders on the Apple web shop indicate a dispatch date of January 22, pushing holiday arrivals off the table for late buyers. The 256GB base model opened at a price of 899,990 forints—practically 900,000 forints—in the official Apple Store, yet this failed to deter interested buyers as the existing inventory vanished in barely ten minutes.
Global Supply Shortages Limit Available Inventory
International tech outlets observed identical stock depletion across North America, Europe, and Asia. GSMArena checks spanning the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Canada, India, and China confirmed that shipping dates moved uniformly to late January, TechWorld.hu reported. Analyst Jeff Pu previously estimated total production runs around several million units for the year, falling short of initial projections as suppliers grapple with ultra-thin glass yields and hinge assembly complexities. Analyst estimates indicate Apple will manufacture only a limited number of units of the device, falling short of the initially planned quantity, whereas analysts project combined sales for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models by the end of the year. Market researchers calculate that with production ramping up next year, the company will supply 40 percent of the total foldable market, surpassing major foldable sector rivals Samsung and Huawei.
Industry data from IDC notes that foldable devices will account for roughly 2 percent of global smartphone shipments in 2026, yet capture nearly 7 percent of industry revenue, Vietnam.vn reported. Analysts project Apple’s production will scale up by 70 percent in 2027, potentially capturing 40 percent of the global foldable market.
Battery Specifications and Durability Ratings
Regulatory energy labels published alongside the launch reveal that the iPhone Duo houses a 4,883 mAh battery pack, hvg.hu reported. That capacity edges past the 4,056 mAh unit inside the iPhone 18 Pro and matches the 4,800 mAh battery found in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8.
European energy labeling classifies the device efficiency at grade A with a rated battery life of 51 hours and 30 minutes, positioning it close to the iPhone 18 Pro’s 52-hour rating. Drop protection receives a B rating, while repairability scores a C. Apple’s durability data indicates the device withstands more than 140 drops in a closed state compared to approximately 35 drops when fully unfolded. When folded shut, the device features a 5.4-inch external screen, while unfolding reveals a 7.6-inch wide internal display coated with nanotexture technology to reduce light reflection. Furthermore, the front-facing camera utilizes Center Stage technology to help users stay in frame while moving.
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