iPhone Duo Available for Pre-Order in Vietnam Starting October 16th
The eagerly anticipated iPhone Duo will officially be available for pre-order in Vietnam beginning on October 16th.
In addition to the Apple Store Online, customers can also register to acquire the device via authorized retailers across the country.
A notable modification accompanies this launch, as the deposit policy has been adjusted to require a considerably larger upfront payment compared to previous iPhone models.
According to insights published on The Gioi Dien Dong’s platform, individuals interested in pre-ordering the iPhone Duo are obligated to make a deposit of up to 30 million VND.
This is a substantial sum, especially in contrast to the approximately 1 million VND deposit generally requested by retail channels during earlier iPhone launches.
Reports from the TGDĐ website affirm that purchasers of the iPhone Duo must remit a deposit of 30 million VND.
Notably, in addition to The Gioi Dien Thoai (Mobile World), at least three other retail systems have corroborated this deposit requirement for the iPhone Duo, indicating that this elevated deposit structure is not merely an isolated policy but rather a collective approach adopted by multiple retailers during the unveiling of Apple’s latest innovation.
With this elevated deposit, prospective buyers must possess a significant amount of capital ready at the moment of registration, rather than merely securing their purchase with a minimal sum as had previously been customary.
Rationale Behind Increased Deposit
While the heightened deposit may astonish many consumers, the increase to 30 million VND is perceived as a judicious measure, taking into account the distinctive nature of the iPhone Duo.
Unlike the standard iPhone or Pro models, the iPhone Duo is entirely novel, characterized by a higher price point and limited production capabilities.
Reports from Jiemian News indicate that the assembly quality at Foxconn is currently above 60%, with projections suggesting a global production of merely 6-8 million units throughout 2026.
As Apple’s inaugural foray into foldable technology, the iPhone Duo reportedly encounters considerable production hurdles.
Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has also indicated that Apple is grappling with significant supply chain complications, with discussions of potentially postponing the launch until the end of November.
Despite preparatory stock for the October release, initial availability is expected to be severely constrained, posing challenges for retailers in distributing the product.
Historically, deposit amounts during earlier iPhone launches hovered around 1 million VND, enabling consumers to effortlessly reserve their units.
This new policy may, however, lead to scenarios where individuals place deposits at multiple retailers to enhance their odds of acquiring the device, ultimately opting for one establishment to finalize their purchase.
According to data released by The Gioi Dien Dong (Mobile World), this retailer alone amassed 160,000 pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro series. As of the morning of October 14th, nearly 20,000 individuals had registered to receive notifications regarding the iPhone Duo.
Given the limited supply of the iPhone Duo, the pre-order figures may not accurately depict actual demand. Retailers could risk misallocating inventory driven by pre-orders that transcend genuine demand, leaving genuine customers struggling to access the desired product.
The decision to elevate the deposit to 30 million VND is anticipated to substantially mitigate the issue of “fake deposits.”
By imposing a considerable financial commitment, customers are likely to deliberate more carefully prior to registration, making it logistically challenging to simultaneously reserve products from multiple retail systems.
Pricing and Implications for Retailers
The iPhone Duo is heralded as the most expensive iPhone to date, with a starting price of 65 million VND for the 256GB variant, escalating to 104 million VND for the 2TB model.
From the vantage point of retailers, a higher deposit facilitates the identification of genuinely interested customers, thus empowering them to proactively forecast demand and allocate inventory, particularly during the initial phases of availability when stock is anticipated to be scarce.
Nevertheless, this policy also imposes considerable pressure on distributors. Previously, delays in fulfilling orders secured with a 1 million VND deposit resulted in only minor inconveniences.
With deposits now reaching 30 million VND, customer expectations surrounding delivery timelines and service quality are bound to surge.
Should retailers fail to deliver products punctually as promised, they may encounter adverse reactions from customers who have invested significant sums to secure their reservations.
In such instances, the concern transcends simple deposit refunds, directly impacting the reputation and customer loyalty of each retail establishment.
Accordingly, the mandate for a 30 million VND deposit serves as a mechanism for demand control and reducing speculative orders, while concurrently necessitating that retailers maintain transparency regarding delivery schedules, refund policies, and their capabilities in fulfilling pre-orders.
Source link: Vietnam.vn.
