Apple’s first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, opened sales in key markets on Friday, carrying a price of roughly $2,000. The launch was noticeably quieter than previous iPhone releases, with fewer queues and overnight camp‑outs. Apple capped pre‑orders at two units per customer and restricted sales to walk‑in shoppers, while online orders were accepted in China, France, Hong Kong, India and Japan.
Demand surged immediately, forcing the company to push the estimated delivery window to late January. Apple described the response as “nothing short of extraordinary.” The move comes just weeks after new CEO John Ternus took the helm in September.
In Sydney, a line formed outside the first Apple store selling the Duo before opening at 8 a.m. local time. 48‑year‑old engineer Simon Krishnan paid A$3,899 ($2,734) for a 512‑GB model, saying, “This is a bit of a luxury item for me, because it’s so expensive, but I just think, you know what? Life’s too short.”
In the United States, Ternus personally opened the doors at an Austin, Texas, store, high‑fiving customers as they streamed in. The visit coincided with the weekend’s Formula 1 US Grand Prix, for which Apple holds exclusive broadcast rights.
Across the globe, fans lined up in Shanghai, Hong Kong, London and Berlin. In Shanghai, 26‑year‑old healthcare professional Liu Wei, who already owned a Xiaomi foldable, queued from 6 a.m. to secure an Apple device. In London, charity manager Paul Francis stood in the rain at Regent Street, remarking, “Some people think it was mad. Including myself.”
Early reviews praise the Duo’s design and hinge, but note camera compromises and a lack of third‑party app support. Apple commentator John Gruber called it a polished prototype rather than a finished product, while tech influencer Marques Brownlee advised most users to pass unless the price is unimportant.
With supply still tight, Apple’s new foldable phone is testing the market’s appetite for premium, high‑cost devices. The company will monitor sales closely as it navigates this new product category.
