Apple’s iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable and most expensive iPhone, went on sale Friday, October 23, 2026, in more than 70 countries and regions. Lines formed overnight at Apple Stores, early queues formed in Beijing, walk-in stock stayed limited, and many new orders slipped into 2027.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone Duo launched Friday in more than 70 countries at $1,999.
- Overnight lines formed as walk-in stock stayed limited.
- New online orders now ship as late as January 2027.
- Beijing scalpers offered buyers an extra $448 on the spot.
iPhone Duo Lines Formed Before Opening
Apple’s announcement said the iPhone Duo debuted worldwide, with hands-on demos and personalized shopping support. Chief executive John Ternus and retail chief Deirdre O’Brien welcomed customers at Apple Domain NORTHSIDE in Austin. Senior vice president of worldwide marketing Greg “Joz” Joswiak and retail executive Vanessa Trigub greeted them at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City, 9to5Mac reported.
USA TODAY reported long lines early Friday, some after overnight camping. Gage Milton reached the Southlake Town Center Apple Store in Southlake, Texas, at 7:30 a.m., 30 minutes before opening, and said about 200 to 300 people were wrapped around the building.
Gregory McFadden told USA TODAY he left home at 4 a.m. and stopped at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, “where a sizeable line was already stretched outside and people huddling in the cold.” He then found a line at the Tice’s Corner Apple Store in Woodcliff Lake and arrived at the American Dream Mall Apple Store in East Rutherford around 5:30 a.m., about 50 people ahead. He chose American Dream because the line looked smaller and customers could wait inside, and he purchased a Duo.
Cult of Mac said stores in many countries will open early at 8 a.m. local time for customers queued overnight. Australia and New Zealand were among the first to get units. Markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, and Japan, with another 28 countries and regions on October 30.
Price, Display, and Storage Options
USA TODAY reported a $1,999 start, a 7.6-inch Super Retina display, a new 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera, and the return of Touch ID. Cult of Mac said the unfolded 7.6-inch screen can run two apps side by side, with a nano-texture finish to cut reflections and glare, and a 5.4-inch outer screen. It listed an A20 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, storage up to 2TB, a 48-megapixel main camera, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide.
USA TODAY published these 24-month prices:
| Storage | Price | Monthly for 24 months |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB | $1,999 | $83.29 |
| 512GB | $2,199 | $91.62 |
| 1TB | $2,599 | $108.29 |
| 2TB | $3,199 | $133.29 |
Dedicated Apple Specialists can help with Trade In, monthly leasing through Apple Upgrade, Apple Card Monthly Installments, and carrier deals. Personal Setup, listed separately, lets customers transfer data. New Today at Apple sessions include Say Hello to iPhone Duo and “Tips: What’s New in iOS 27 on iPhone.”
Walk-In Inventory and 2027 Ship Dates
Apple told USA TODAY that walk-in supply was limited and a fast Friday sellout was expected. Cult of Mac said that limit covered select countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. 9to5Mac said workers told disappointed shoppers to check the Apple Store app the next day for in-store inventory.
CNBC reported no mainland China walk-ins on launch day, limited stock elsewhere, and a two-phone cap on each online purchase. Zhang Zheng said a delivery date out to January 2027 discouraged an order, though he still wants a Duo. Cult of Mac said shipping estimates have slipped to late January 2027.
Beijing Scalpers, Huawei, and Xiaomi
Outside Beijing’s Sanlitun flagship, scalper Alex Wang offered an extra 3,000 Chinese yuan ($448) on the spot, CNBC reported. CNBC described initial interest in China as solid.
“I feel the Duo can be sold with a higher price for half a month,” he told CNBC while watching the lines of Duo customers who had pre-booked their phones. “The main reason is the tight supply.”
Mary Tong, first in a line of about 100 people, showed up at 6 a.m. “Apple has been the laggard,” she said. “I think many Chinese do prefer foldable phones.” Foldables remain a niche globally, but China’s market is the single largest, according to Counterpoint Research, as cited by CNBC.
Huawei, which already has a broad foldable lineup, launched the Mate XT2 trifold at about $3,000 on September 7, two days before Apple’s Duo announcement. Xiaomi unveiled the 18 Fold around the same time. Huawei is also promoting its XiaoYi assistant against Apple and homegrown rivals.
Expectations for Apple Intelligence were negligible. Apple said a mainland beta is set for this month and will include live translation, Clean Up in photos, and writing tools. On October 14, Beijing approved Alibaba AI models for the Duo and other Apple devices after Chinese regulatory clearance over the summer. Chinese official media cited ex-CEO Tim Cook on a recent China trip as saying revamped Siri AI would not be available in the country yet.
How to Buy an iPhone Duo Now
A same-day pickup is not guaranteed. Buyers can still try these steps:
- Order on apple.com or in the Apple Store app, capped at two phones.
- Check the Apple Store app the next day for in-store inventory.
- Ask about Trade In, Apple Upgrade leasing, Apple Card installments, and carrier deals.
Apple has cut iPad production to keep up with iPhone demand before. That history is context for a crowded launch, not a weekend stock forecast.
