Apple is set to launch its inaugural foldable device, the iPhone Duo, with pre-orders commencing on October 16. Anticipation is building in the resale market, as initial supply shortages are anticipated.
In Hong Kong, some resellers have taken to offering automated pre-order bots, while exorbitantly priced listings for the device are surfacing on secondhand marketplaces across China and the United States.
The iPhone Duo is slated for release in over 70 countries on October 23, with the pricing for the 256GB variant in the United States starting at $1,999. Pre-orders will be accepted beginning October 16, notably in markets such as the United States and South Korea.
Although local times for the pre-orders vary, all markets will launch simultaneously.
| Market | Pre-order Start (Local Time) | 256GB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Oct 16, 5:00 AM (PT) | $1,999 | $3,199 |
| Taiwan | Oct 16, 8:00 PM | NT$74,900 | NT$118,900 |
| Japan | Oct 16, 9:00 PM | ¥364,800 | ¥574,800 |
The underlying challenge lies in supply constraints. Bloomberg’s Apple journalist Mark Gurman cautioned in his Power On newsletter dated October 11 that securing an iPhone Duo may necessitate a strategic approach, as initial supply is poised to fall significantly short of robust demand.
Reports from Japan’s Nikkei revealed in August that production was limited to mere hundreds of units per day, while Ming-Chi Kuo, a noted analyst from China, forecasted assembly shipments for the third quarter would be constrained between 500,000 to 1 million units.
This Q3 figure represents a paltry 10% of the total assembly shipments expected for the latter half of 2026, which is projected to be between 7 million and 8 million units, establishing a foundation for inventory accumulation ahead of the launch on October 23.
Final assembly yields are yet to reach optimal levels; reports from Chinese media indicated that yields hovered just above 60% as of mid-September. Some analysts opine that normalization could potentially extend for up to a year.
Automated Bots for Reservations
A reseller in Hong Kong stoked controversy by advertising an automated pre-order bot for the iPhone Duo via the social media platform Threads.
The seller claimed that for HK$399 (approximately $51), the bot could secure two devices within a mere seven seconds.
Additionally, a package priced at HK$899 (approximately $110) promised three attempts with a refund guarantee if unsuccessful.
Since September 10, the reseller has shared historical order records and screenshots of the bot’s interface, garnering over 2,000 comments expressing interest.
However, the proposition has raised alarms among security experts. Francis Fong, the honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, articulated concerns, stating, “Even if you manage to successfully purchase a smartphone and generate profit from reselling, the potential repercussions stemming from leaks of personal data or credit card information could be staggering.”
The functionality of the bot necessitates users inputting sensitive personal information, thereby exposing them to the threat of data interception by malicious software.
Escalating Resale Prices on Secondhand Platforms
In mainland China, endeavors to secure devices commenced more than a month before the official pre-order launch.
According to reports from TMTPost and other Chinese media, listings for proxy purchase services and pre-order sales emerged rapidly on secondhand platforms such as Xianyu and Zhuanzhuan following the iPhone Duo’s announcement on September 10. The fees for pre-order proxy services varied between CNY 500 and CNY 1,000 (approximately $75 to $150).
Significantly marked-up listings have also proliferated, including one particularly notable offering priced at CNY 99,000 (approximately $15,000), exceeding more than threefold the official price of CNY 26,499 (approximately $4,000) for the premium 2TB variant in China.
In the United States, a pre-order listing surfaced on eBay, presenting the 256GB model for $2,849.95—approximately 43% above its official starting price. Similar pre-order offerings have been noted on Singapore’s secondhand marketplace Carousell.
Ambiguous Supply Chain Outlook
Simultaneously, China’s Securities Times reported that Apple underestimated the demand for the iPhone Duo and is ramping up supply chain orders by 30%.
If this adjustment materializes, initial supply could reach around 10 million units, a notable increase from previous estimates of 6 million to 7 million.
However, tech outlet AppleInsider expressed skepticism, positing that the report might conflate component orders with actual production of finished products.
In a separate yet relevant development, Apple is reportedly reducing component orders for the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max by 15-20%.
This could be interpreted as an indicator that demand for premium models is not meeting expectations—or that consumers may be opting to await the launch of more budget-friendly alternatives.
As of October 13, Apple’s stock closed at $341.27 (local time), following an intraday peak of $348.15. The stock has risen 25.9% year-to-date.
Comparison Against Competing Foldables
The iPhone Duo finds itself in direct competition with the recently unveiled Xiaomi 18 Fold, which debuted just two days prior. Both are top-tier foldable smartphones of the passport-style design.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold, priced beginning at CNY 10,999 (approximately $1,600), represents a more affordable option compared to the iPhone Duo, although it is currently restricted to the Chinese market.
In the lens of camera capabilities, Xiaomi offers a formidable 200-megapixel main sensor equipped with optical zoom, whereas the iPhone Duo is limited to a dual camera configuration featuring a 48-megapixel sensor.
Furthermore, Xiaomi surpasses the iPhone Duo in battery capacity with a 6,000mAh battery and supports faster 67W wired charging compared to the iPhone Duo’s 60W.
Nonetheless, the iPhone Duo showcases distinct advantages in terms of durability, boasting a titanium frame, Ceramic Shield glass, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Its integration of iOS 27’s split-screen multitasking and Siri AI functionalities further enhances its appeal.
Utilizing Pre-Order Preparation Tools
Beginning October 13, Apple instituted a “pre-order preparation” feature on its online store. This allows prospective buyers to pre-save details such as device color, storage capacity, payment method, and shipping address, thereby streamlining the ordering process into a single final confirmation once pre-orders open on October 16.
Pre-orders will commence simultaneously across various local times: 5:00 AM Pacific Time in the United States, 8:00 PM in Taiwan, and 9:00 PM in Japan.
In the Japanese market, a 36-month installment plan is also available through Paidy, presenting a monthly payment of ¥10,133 (approximately $64) for the 256GB model, along with an option to waive up to 12 installments if the device is returned after 24 months.
Given the anticipated supply limitations at launch, it is advisable for buyers aiming to acquire their unit on the release date to leverage the pre-order preparation feature to alleviate input time when orders commence.
Source link: Finance.biggo.com.
