Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Sells Out in Minutes

Apple’s iPhone Duo pre-orders sold out within minutes on October 16, and online orders for the $1,999 foldable no longer arrive before Christmas.

That leaves holiday shoppers with fewer options. Apple’s US store now lists every model as shipping in late January.

Why iPhone Duo Pre-Orders Outran Apple’s Supply

Apple CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1, opened sales with a short teaser clip on X.

iPhone Duo… a whole new way to iPhone. Pre-orders start today. pic.twitter.com/yh0Ow1Vj74

— John Ternus (@johnternus) October 16, 2026

Executive chairman Cook followed minutes later, pointing buyers to the October 23 launch.

We can’t wait for the world to experience the iPhone Duo next week! Pre-orders start today. pic.twitter.com/Xbs1idd5KL

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 16, 2026

Pre-orders opened at 5 a.m. Pacific Time and sold out within minutes, Yahoo reported. Even the top $3,199 model now ships on January 22.

Apple said in a statement that pre-order demand had been “nothing short of extraordinary,” CNBC reported. The company added that it will keep accepting orders online.

However, supply looked tight well before launch. Apple pays Samsung about $250 per folding panel under an exclusive display supply deal, with no second source.

Apple unveiled the device at Ternus’s first keynote as CEO on September 9. It pairs a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch matte inner display.

Is a Store Visit Your Last Shot Before the Holidays?

Online buyers have little hope for December. Still, a few routes to a gift under the tree remain.

First, Apple Stores open sales on October 23, and some may have walk-in units. Inventory is expected to be very tight, and Apple has not confirmed it, according to MacRumors.

Second, buyers can try to reserve a store pickup online from October 24, when Apple’s store page says it will update availability. That may signal fresh stock reaching stores.

Finally, Apple could clear the backlog sooner than its estimates suggest. Nothing guarantees a December delivery, though.

A missed holiday window could also help rivals. Samsung says more iPhone owners are switching to its foldables.

Yet IDC analyst Nabila Popal told CNBC that Duo shipments could grow about 70% next year. That would give Apple roughly 40% of the foldable market, ahead of Samsung and Huawei.

For Apple, the iPhone Duo pre-orders show the demand is there. The harder test is getting phones to buyers before Samsung wins over the shoppers left waiting.