Apple to 'work hard' to fulfil iPhone Duo deliveries as orders overwhelm stock

Apple to 'work hard' to fulfil iPhone Duo deliveries as orders overwhelm stock

Apple has pledged to accelerate production of its iPhone Duo foldable device after unprecedented preorder demand pushed delivery dates back by more than two months in major markets including the UAE.

The long-awaited foldable smartphone, which represents Apple's entry into a market segment dominated by Samsung for nearly a decade, went on sale online on Friday. Within hours, delivery estimates had shifted from November to late January as orders flooded in from customers worldwide.

In the UAE, Apple's online platform now shows a delivery estimate of January 22 for all four storage capacities and both colour options available. Similar delays are visible on the company's US and UK sites, though it remains unclear whether delivery windows vary in other regions.

"The preorder demand for iPhone Duo has been nothing short of extraordinary," an Apple representative said in a statement on Saturday.

The company is "working hard" to deliver devices to customers as quickly as possible, the representative added.

A significant milestone for Apple

The iPhone Duo marks a significant milestone for the California-based technology giant as its first foldable device and the debut major hardware release under chief executive John Ternus. The device was introduced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro last month.

By comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro currently shows delivery estimates of just two to three weeks. While longer lead times typically follow new iPhone launches, these usually decrease to about a week once initial demand subsides.

The delays could signal strong market potential for Apple's foldable entry. Samsung Electronics recently reported record orders for its latest Galaxy Z foldables, introduced in July, suggesting growing consumer appetite for foldable devices across the industry.

Analysts revise sales projections upward

Analysts have responded positively to the preorder figures. Counterpoint Research projected last month that Apple would sell approximately six million Duo units this year, driven by what the research firm called "bold" pricing. The iPhone Duo is priced just $100 above Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, surprising industry observers who had anticipated a higher price point for Apple's first foldable.

Bloomberg Intelligence has now revised its estimates upward, projecting sales of about 14 million units. This could add approximately $28 billion to Apple's revenue for the 2027 fiscal year. In the UAE, the iPhone Duo carries prices ranging from Dh8,499 to Dh13,599 depending on storage capacity.

Apple does not typically disclose order or sales numbers for individual products. The company said online orders will continue while it prepares to welcome customers at Apple Stores worldwide.

The foldable smartphone market has matured considerably since Samsung introduced its first Galaxy Fold device nearly a decade ago. Apple's entry into the segment comes as the technology has become more refined and consumer awareness has grown, potentially positioning the company to capture significant market share in the category.