Apple Launches First Foldable iPhone Duo Amid Supply Constraints
Apple releases the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, on October 23, 2026. The device features a dual-screen design and A20 Pro chip, but faces immediate supply challenges. Walk-in inventory is limited in select countries, while software updates for Apple Pencil and Reachability are pending. Reviews praise the innovative form factor but note early hardware and app compatibility quirks.
Key points
- Apple, the world's largest smartphone maker, launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable device, on October 23, 2026, following pre-orders that opened on October 16.
- The iPhone Duo features a dual-screen design, an A20 Pro chip, and weighs 254 grams, with Apple Pencil support arriving via iOS 27.2 next week.
- Apple confirmed limited walk-in inventory for the device in the US, UK, and other select markets, while countries like China and Japan rely on online pickup due to severe supply constraints.
- Bloomberg's Mark Gurman described Apple's decision to open pre-orders before securing sufficient inventory as a 'major mistake,' citing manufacturing challenges.
- Early reviews from outlets like The Verge and Mashable describe the device as a fun but compromised first-generation product, with some users noting app letterboxing and MagSafe charging issues.
- A new horizontal Reachability feature is planned for later this year to improve one-handed usability on the wider displays.
Apple has officially launched the iPhone Duo, marking the first major form-factor change to the iPhone in nearly two decades. The device, which began shipping to customers on October 23, 2026, represents Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market. It features a dual-screen design that unfolds to provide a tablet-like experience, powered by the A20 Pro chip. Despite its innovative design, the launch has been accompanied by significant supply chain challenges, with pre-orders opening on October 16 facing immediate backlogs.
Apple has communicated that walk-in availability at Apple Stores will be limited on launch day. The company confirmed inventory for walk-in customers in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and other select countries, while markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea will rely primarily on online pickup. Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman characterized the timing of the pre-order window as a "major mistake," arguing that Apple should have waited for higher inventory levels to mitigate customer frustration.
Software support is also evolving. Apple Pencil compatibility is set to arrive with iOS 27.2 next week, supporting only the USB-C model. Additionally, a new horizontal Reachability feature is planned for later this year to assist users in accessing the edges of the wider displays. Early reviews highlight the device's potential, with Mashable calling it the most exciting iPhone since the original, while The Verge noted it is a fun but compromised first-generation product. Users have also reported minor hardware quirks, such as the device tilting on certain MagSafe stands when unfolded, and app letterboxing issues that Apple is addressing through updates.
Sources
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