Apple warns iPhone Duo shipping delays will extend into next year

Apple is unable to meet customer demand for its new iPhone Duo, with shipping delays now stretching into next year. Chief executive John Ternus and chief operating officer Sabih Khan both stated during the company's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report on November 2, 2026, that supply remains constrained. MacRumors and TechCrunch both reported that Apple management cannot predict when supply and demand will reach balance, despite production ramping up. [1][4]

According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, cited by MacRumors, Apple originally planned to delay the iPhone Duo release until November in only the United States and China. Instead, the company launched the device in more than 70 countries on Friday, October 23, 2026. Gurman stated that Apple rushed the smartphone to market without sufficient inventory to satisfy buyers. [5]

Uncertainty surrounding supply is compounded by external supply chain pressures. TechCrunch reported that rising costs for memory chips, caused by surging demand from the artificial intelligence sector, was a primary concern during the earnings call. Tom's Guide reported that scalpers using automated bots to buy up online stock and reserve in-store pickups have further restricted availability for regular shoppers. [1][2]

The earnings call marked the first time chief executive John Ternus faced investors since taking the role, as noted by network sources and The Independent. While Axios reported that the experimental iPhone Duo carries a price tag of 2,000 dollars, Apple has not provided a specific timeline for when retail stock will stabilize. [3][4][7][10]