iPhone Duo launches as Apple’s first foldable with limited global supply

The iPhone Duo went on sale in Brazil and more than 70 countries and regions on October 23. Apple’s first foldable phone starts at R$21,999 in Brazil and $1,999 in the United States. Its debut brought the company into a category that Samsung, Huawei and other manufacturers have developed for years, but availability was restricted across several markets.

Reuters documented customers lining up in Sydney, Shanghai, London, New York and San Francisco, although many were collecting preorders. Apple capped preorders at two devices per buyer, and estimated delivery dates moved to late January shortly after orders opened. Those signs show that initial demand exceeded available supply, but they do not reveal the total number of units sold or prove mass adoption of the form factor.

What changes with the first foldable iPhone

When closed, the iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display. Opening it reveals a 7.6-inch inner screen with a nanotexture finish designed to reduce reflections and make the crease less visible. Apple uses the A20 Pro chip, a dual-battery architecture and a hinge made from more than 100 components. The phone ships with iOS 27.1 and places Touch ID in the side button instead of using Face ID.

The concept combines the quick interactions of a conventional phone with a larger surface for video, games, reading and two apps side by side. Apple says the open display is 50 percent larger than the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. That comparison is a manufacturer statement about display area; it does not mean every app uses the additional space equally well.

Wired’s review found polished hardware, a barely visible crease and strong battery life, but it also identified limitations. Apps must target the iOS 27.1 software development kit to adapt fully to both screens. The system fixes two apps at an even 50-50 split and does not allow a third floating app, while the dual rear camera lacks the dedicated telephoto lens found on Pro iPhones. At 254 grams, the Duo is also heavier than some recent foldable competitors.

Scarcity is not the same as market dominance

Apple described the preorder response as extraordinary, according to Reuters. That assessment comes from the company, which did not disclose how many units it offered. When initial production is small, a product can sell out quickly without approaching the volume of a conventional iPhone. Lines, long delivery estimates and elevated resale prices should therefore be read as evidence of a contested launch, not as a commercial scorecard.

IDC projects, according to Reuters, that Apple will account for 31 percent of foldable units and 44 percent of the category’s value in 2026, before becoming the market leader by both measures in 2027. This is a research-firm forecast, not a confirmed result. The high price nevertheless means the Duo could capture a large share of market value with fewer devices than lower-priced rivals.

Why the launch matters

The iPhone Duo’s earliest effect may appear in apps before it appears in sales totals. Developers that redesign interfaces for both screens can expand support for responsive layouts and multiple panes. Wired observed that Instagram, Threads, Slack and Google’s app had already received adaptations, while other software still displayed black bars or stretched phone layouts.

For buyers, the first generation presents a clear trade-off: pay more for the larger display and new form factor while accepting extra weight, a less versatile camera system and software that is still transitioning. For the industry, the more meaningful test will come after launch scarcity eases, when supply stabilizes and it becomes possible to determine whether early interest turns into recurring use and sustained sales.