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Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, saw launch-day pickup inventory sell out rapidly following Friday preorders. Delivery estimates have slipped into late January as the company cites extraordinary demand.
Apple’s iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone, experienced a rapid sell-out of launch-day pickup inventory following the opening of preorders on Friday. According to a report from finance.yahoo.com, some online delivery estimates for the device have already slipped into late January.
Apple described the consumer interest in the new device as "nothing short of extraordinary" and stated that it will continue to accept orders online. The iPhone Duo is positioned as Apple's most expensive iPhone ever, with a starting price of $1,999. The cost rises to over $3,000 for the 2TB storage tier, placing it above the Pro and Pro Max models in the product lineup.
Market research firms anticipate tight supply in the near term. Counterpoint expects six million units or fewer to be available shortly. IDC projects that Apple will ship approximately seven million units this year, representing roughly 3% of its total shipments. IDC further forecasts that Duo shipments will grow by another 70% next year, a trajectory that could grant Apple about 40% of the foldable market.
Analysts suggest that the financial impact of the iPhone Duo will be driven by value rather than volume. Nabila Popal of IDC noted that many buyers are likely current iPhone owners who would have otherwise purchased a Pro Max. Moving from a device priced around $1,200 to the $2,000 Duo should provide a "healthy boost" to revenue.
JPMorgan expects overall iPhone shipments to remain roughly flat next year but predicts that the Duo’s high price point will still lift revenue. D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria stated that Apple needs the Duo to succeed, warning that without it, revenue growth could be "pretty pedestrian." Luria also noted that some shoppers visiting stores to see the Duo might leave with a cheaper iPhone model.
Conversely, Wayne Lam, an analyst at TechInsights, warned that the higher prices associated with the device could stretch upgrade cycles even longer.
The launch follows a strong quarter for Apple, with revenue reaching $109.4 billion, a 16% increase. iPhone revenue specifically rose 22% to $54.3 billion. However, Apple guided September quarter revenue growth to between 9% and 11%, citing supply limits and memory costs as factors.
As of October 16, Apple stock (AAPL) was priced at $343, with a 52-week high of $348. The stock has seen a 27% price change over the last six months, against a stock price target of $329.
The rapid sell-out of the iPhone Duo highlights the potential for premium pricing to drive revenue growth even if unit shipment volumes remain flat. However, the slip in delivery estimates and analyst warnings about stretched upgrade cycles indicate that Apple faces challenges in balancing high demand with supply constraints and consumer affordability.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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