Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders opened today, October 16, but delivery estimates have already slipped into December 2026 and January 2027 for customers ordering the company’s first foldable iPhone. Within just 30 minutes of preorders going live, several configurations were showing shipping delays of more than three months.
Customers who placed orders immediately at 5 a.m. Pacific Time secured the original October 23 delivery date. However, by 5:30 a.m., Apple’s US online store was displaying estimated deliveries as late as January 25, 2027.
The delays appear to affect both available colors and all four storage configurations, suggesting that Apple’s initial preorder inventory is facing considerable pressure.
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Here are the reported US delivery estimates:
| iPhone Duo Configuration | Estimated Delivery |
|---|---|
| Star White, 256GB and 512GB | January 25, 2027 |
| Star White, 1TB and 2TB | January 25, 2027 |
| Night Sky, 256GB and 512GB | January 25, 2027 |
| Night Sky, 1TB and 2TB | January 25, 2027 |
These estimates reflect availability shortly after preorders opened and can change depending on location, inventory and order cancellations.
Strong Demand Meets Reported Production Constraints
The lengthy shipping delays come after earlier warnings about limited iPhone Duo availability.
As we previously covered, analysts had warned that manufacturing challenges involving the foldable hinge could restrict initial production. Another earlier report suggested that shortages could continue beyond the initial launch.
Apple has not disclosed its initial inventory, making it difficult to determine how much of the delay comes from demand or limited supply.
For customers still planning to order, the options include:
- Checking the Apple Store for updated delivery estimates.
- Comparing different colors and storage capacities.
- Checking local Apple Store pickup availability ahead of October 23.
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the US, featuring a 7.6-inch foldable display and Apple’s A20 Pro chip. With shipping estimates already extending into 2027, customers hoping to receive one before the holidays face a potentially lengthy wait.
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