Apple said it will have a limited number of iPhone Duo units available for walk-in customers when the foldable phone launches Friday, October 23. The announcement follows a rapid sellout of online orders, with some delivery estimates moving to January.

The $1,999 iPhone Duo received its first full reviews on the same day Apple confirmed limited in-store availability. Reviewers generally praised the hardware, while pointing to third-party app support as the device’s main early limitation.

Limited iPhone Duo Availability for Walk-In Buyers

Preorders for the iPhone Duo opened on October 16. Within roughly 30 minutes, U.S. delivery estimates had moved to January 25, according to MacRumors. Apple described demand as “extraordinary.”

Apple store employees had reportedly been instructed earlier to discourage walk-in customers on launch day. Notices also suggested that walk-in sales would not be available in Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

Apple’s statement that limited walk-in inventory will be available changes that earlier guidance in at least some markets. Availability may still be tight for shoppers hoping to buy an iPhone Duo in person on launch day.

In the U.K., several retailers have already sold through their preorder inventory. A Currys buyer told The Independent that only a limited amount of stock is expected in mid-November.

iPhone Duo Hardware Draws Positive Early Reviews

Early reviewers were notably positive about the iPhone Duo’s physical design and foldable display.

Mashable’s Stan Schroeder gave the most enthusiastic response, calling the device the most exciting iPhone since the original and the best foldable phone he had used.

Wired’s Julian Chokkattu gave the iPhone Duo a 7 out of 10 rating. He described it as an astonishingly good first foldable and credited the matte nanotexture inner display with making the crease less noticeable. Wired also said the passport-style form factor works better than earlier book-style foldables.

CNN called the iPhone Duo Apple’s coolest phone in years. Reviewer Lisa Eadicicco said the crease was barely visible on the phone’s 7.6-inch internal display. That display sits behind a 5.4-inch outer screen.

iPhone Duo Display and Form Factor

The iPhone Duo uses two displays:

  • A 5.4-inch outer screen
  • A 7.6-inch inner display

The inner display’s matte nanotexture finish was specifically praised for reducing the visibility of the foldable crease. Reviewers also responded positively to the phone’s passport-style shape compared with earlier book-style foldable designs.

Third-Party Apps Are Not Fully Ready for the Inner Display

The biggest concern in early iPhone Duo reviews was app readiness.

Popular apps including Gmail and Google Maps had not yet been updated for the larger inner display. As a result, they appeared in smaller windows with black bars rather than filling the available screen area.

Wired and CNN both reported that more applications were updated during their testing periods. Still, the reviewers suggested that prospective buyers may want to wait until more developers have updated their apps before deciding whether to purchase the iPhone Duo.

Other iPhone Duo Review Concerns

Beyond app support, reviewers identified several other drawbacks:

  • The iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams.
  • It does not include a telephoto camera.
  • It uses Touch ID instead of Face ID.
  • Its split-screen multitasking was described by Wired as more rigid than that of Samsung and Google Android phones.

These issues did not outweigh the positive reaction to the hardware, but they shape the current trade-offs for buyers considering Apple’s first foldable phone.

Reachability and Apple Pencil Support Are Planned

Apple plans to add Reachability to the iPhone Duo later this year through a software update. Reachability is the one-handed feature that brings parts of the screen closer when they are difficult to reach.

Apple Pencil support is also expected later this year through a software update, according to Wired.

Those planned additions may address some of the early limitations around using a large foldable display, though third-party app updates remain a separate issue.

FAQ

When does the iPhone Duo launch?

The iPhone Duo launches on Friday, October 23. Apple said limited quantities will be available for walk-in customers.

How much does the iPhone Duo cost?

The iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999.

Why are some reviewers advising buyers to wait?

CNN and Wired advised buyers to consider waiting because many third-party apps, including Gmail and Google Maps, have not yet been updated for the larger inner display.