Apple aún no sabe cuándo tendrá suficientes iPhone Duo para todos sus compradores
Apple faces significant supply challenges for its new iPhone Duo foldable phone, with demand far exceeding available units since its October launch. John Ternus, who became Apple’s Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2026, stated the company cannot predict when supply will meet demand, despite efforts to increase production.
“A día de hoy, la disponibilidad del iPhone Duo está limitada,” Ternus told Reuters. “El aumento de la producción avanza bien, pero en este momento no podemos predecir cuándo se van a equilibrar la oferta y la demanda.”
The iPhone Duo, which began pre-orders on October 16, 2026, and went on sale October 23, 2026, quickly saw shipping estimates extend into early 2027. Apple’s online store currently shows an estimated delivery date of January 22, 2027, for new orders. While some early buyers in the United States and Japan have seen their delivery dates move forward by several weeks, the overall scarcity persists.
Industry analysts suggest the high demand, coupled with potentially fewer units available than anticipated, contributed to the rapid sell-out. Reports also indicated that Apple allocated a substantial portion of its initial stock, as much as 80%, to physical Apple Stores rather than online pre-orders, with some flagship locations receiving around 250 units, a notably lower figure compared to previous iPhone launches. Apple is reportedly working to strengthen its manufacturing supply chain, including expanding its partnership with titanium producer Perryman, which supplies materials for the foldable device.
Adding to the complexities, a number of iPhone Duo owners have reported screen failures, with hairline cracks appearing near the hinge shortly after purchase. Users described experiencing unusual resistance or hearing a “loud pop” when opening the phone, followed by visible damage. Apple acknowledged “an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units” and advised affected customers to contact AppleCare for replacements. Some customers received immediate replacements at Apple Stores.
Beyond the iPhone Duo, Apple’s supply chain faces broader headwinds from a global surge in memory chip costs. Ternus noted an increase in memory prices during the last quarter compared to the June quarter. This rise is largely driven by artificial intelligence data centers acquiring high-bandwidth memory, impacting the availability and cost of conventional DRAM used in consumer electronics. Global memory sales in the third quarter of 2026 increased by 405.7% year-on-year. Apple stated it managed to partially offset the impact of these rising costs through existing inventory and lower prices on non-memory components.
The upcoming holiday shopping season will provide a critical test for Apple’s ability to navigate these production and supply challenges for its first foldable iPhone.
