Apple says iPhone Duo demand is "unprecedented," pre-orders sold out within minutes, deliveries postponed until January next year
Within minutes of opening pre-orders for Apple's first foldable screen phone, iPhone Duo, the delivery period was extended to the end of January next year, affecting all colors and storage configurations. Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence have raised their sales expectations, believing that sales may surpass the target of 14 million units and $28 billion. On Friday, Apple's stock price rose slightly by 0.43%.
Apple's first foldable iPhone sees preorder surge, analysts raise sales forecasts, stock price rises slightly.
On Friday, Apple announced that its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, experienced "extraordinary" preorder demand. Within minutes of the preorder opening, the delivery estimate slipped from November to December, and finally to late January next year, affecting all color and storage configurations.
According to a report released Friday by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts, iPhone Duo sales may surpass the previous estimate of 14 million units and $28 billion. If Apple can successfully persuade existing Pro and Pro Max users to switch to this foldable model, the iPhone's average selling price will rise by 82% and 67%, respectively.
Apple shares rose 0.43% on Friday, closing at $343.46.
Preorder demand far exceeds expectations, delivery delayed to next year
After preorders for the iPhone Duo opened on Friday morning, a large number of consumers immediately encountered delayed delivery on the Apple online store.
At first, the delivery estimate was pushed to November; within minutes it dropped rapidly to December, and eventually extended to late January next year. The delay affected all color options and all storage configurations ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Apple stated in a release:
The preorder demand for iPhone Duo, our first foldable iPhone, has been extraordinary. We are working around the clock to deliver this revolutionary new product to our customers as quickly as possible and will continue accepting online orders.
Apple also stated that its teams look forward to welcoming customers to Apple retail stores worldwide to experience the iPhone Duo and the complete iPhone lineup, but did not disclose whether in-store stock will be available for customers who missed out on preorders on the official launch day, October 23.
According to a report released this week by market research agency Counterpoint Research, sales performance of the new iPhone 18 Pro series was "stronger than the previous generation," particularly in China and India.
The iPhone Duo targets what analysts previously described as the "high-end niche group willing to pay a premium for flagship experience." However, judging from the market response on the first day of preorders, the size of this group may be much larger than initially expected. Apple announced that the first batch of iPhone Duo deliveries will begin on October 23, with the website advising customers to check in-store pickup availability from October 24.
Record-high pricing and anticipated supply constraints
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, with the highest configuration (2TB storage) priced at $3,200, setting a new record for iPhone pricing. The model features a 7.6-inch inner screen and a finely engineered hinge, and the iOS experience has been redesigned for the foldable form factor.
Supply constraints are not entirely unexpected. According to previous Bloomberg reports, there were rumors before launch that the iPhone Duo was difficult to manufacture, which could result in tight supply.
Apple is also facing component shortages prevalent in the consumer electronics industry this year, particularly a lack of memory chips, which has also forced the company to raise prices across its product line.
By historical standards, the scale of the current delay is particularly rare. Apple is renowned for its efficient global supply chain management, and delays are uncommon. According to the Financial Times, the last comparable situation was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, when factory shutdowns delayed some iPhone 14 orders by more than a month.
Analysts raise expectations, foldable model could lift average selling price
According to Bloomberg, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Anurag Rana and Josh Christensen said in a research note on Friday that iPhone Duo sales could exceed the previously set target of 14 million units and $28 billion for Apple's 2027 fiscal year.
The analysts further noted that if Apple can successfully persuade existing iPhone Pro and Pro Max users to switch to this entry-level foldable model, it will boost the overall iPhone average selling price by 82% and 67% respectively. The iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999.
The iPhone Duo is one of the most significant product launches under Apple's new CEO John Ternus. The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display with a carefully designed hinge structure and a new iOS experience optimized for the foldable form factor.
John Ternus officially took over as CEO in September this year and has already launched new products such as the HomeView smart home hub.
According to Bloomberg, Apple will also launch a touchscreen MacBook Pro and other devices later this month.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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