Apple retail staff told to warn against walk-in iPhone Duo purchases

Apple retail employees have been told to warn customers against visiting stores to purchase the new foldable iPhone Duo without a pre-order on launch day, Friday, October 23. MacRumors reported that retail staff were informed that stores will likely have no stock available for walk-in buyers. [1]

The warning comes as pre-order demand for the device rapidly stretched initial inventory. 9to5Mac reported that Apple issued a statement calling demand for the iPhone Duo extraordinary. According to 9to5Mac, shipping estimates quickly slipped from late October into November, December, and January, with estimated deliveries in some countries like Brazil moving into early February. [4]

The high demand arrives alongside details about the pricing and accessories for the new device. CNBC Tech reported that the iPhone Duo is priced at 1,999 dollars. Separately, GSM Arena and 9to5Mac reported that Apple's official 79 dollar silicone case for the foldable phone requires adhesive to attach to the device rather than using magnets. GSM Arena noted that Apple also offers a folio case for 129 dollars. [2][6][7]

Supply chain issues may also be contributing to the constrained availability. Sammy Fans reported that Apple is facing T-Glass supply challenges for the iPhone Duo. [5]