Apple’s Debut Foldable iPhone Generates Significant Market Buzz
The inaugural foldable iPhone from Apple has captured considerable interest, with pre-orders commencing to substantial fanfare.
In the United States, customers opting for online purchases are confronted with wait times extending beyond three months.
Similarly, Vietnam is witnessing shortages, as retailers promptly halted deposits or could not guarantee early delivery times, despite the device’s price tag hovering around 65 million VND. Illustration.
This scenario indicates that the initial supply of the iPhone Duo is significantly constrained in comparison to the burgeoning demand.
Yet, prolonged delivery timelines do not definitively confirm record-setting sales, as Apple has yet to disclose the number of pre-orders or allocation levels for each market.
Delivery Dates in the US Escalate to January 2027 Within an Hour
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo officially launched in the US at 8:00 AM Eastern Time on October 16th, coinciding with 7:00 PM on the same day in Vietnam.
This represents Apple’s first foray into foldable technology, having been unveiled in September but released subsequent to the iPhone 18 Pro series.
Merely an hour after the ordering system became operational, expected delivery dates on Apple’s US website swiftly converged on late January 2027 for all iPhone Duo configurations.
This indicates that consumers who were unable to secure an order within the initial allocation window may endure waits exceeding three months for a home delivery option.
According to previously established timelines, the iPhone Duo is set to hit retail shelves on October 23rd. Historically, Apple retains a reserve stock for physical retail stores, potentially providing an earlier purchasing opportunity than online availability, depending on actual stock levels.
In the United States, the iPhone Duo commences at $1,999 for the 256GB edition, a figure that places it among the upper echelon of Apple’s mobile offerings.
The device boasts a book-style foldable design featuring a 5.4-inch external display alongside a 7.6-inch internal screen.
When unfolded, users can exploit the larger screen real estate for reading documents, consuming media, or multitasking across various applications.
It is available in two distinctive colorways: Starlight White and Night Sky, powered by the A20 Pro chip and operating on the iOS 27 system, adeptly optimized for foldable functionality.
Owing to a swift supply deficiency that could not meet initial demand, Apple has acknowledged the extraordinary pre-order enthusiasm for the iPhone Duo, stating efforts are underway to expedite customer deliveries.
Vietnam Faces Similar Challenges, Retailers Halt Deposits Precipitously
In Vietnam, pre-orders for the iPhone Duo commenced at 7 PM on October 16th, both online via the Apple Store and through authorized retail partners.
Shortly thereafter, numerous retailers proclaimed exhaustion of their initial unit availability for prompt delivery.
Observational reports from the evening of October 16th indicated that the Apple Store online in Vietnam began processing orders a few moments behind schedule.
By around 7:09 PM, projected delivery timelines shifted to October 27th, prior to the official release date of October 23rd.
At The Gioi Dien Thoai (Mobile World), as of approximately 7:10 PM, the ordering platform ceased operations, announcing all iPhone Duo units had sold out.
CellphoneS also quickly reported substantial first-batch shortages, while customers who had registered their interest with FPT Shop were notified they might face delays until at least December, with no specific delivery dates provided.
At Viettel Store, after just moments into the program, the website disabled its deposit feature.
Significantly, deposit amounts at various retailers exceeded those required for standard iPhone releases.
At FPT Shop, CellphoneS, The Gioi Dien Dong, and other outlets, customers were necessitated to place a deposit of 30 million VND to secure a position for purchasing the iPhone Duo, which equates to approximately 46% of the base price.
In contrast, previous pre-order schemes for the iPhone 18 Pro had required only a deposit of around one million VND.
Imposing a substantial deposit can assist retailers in gauging genuine purchasing interest, particularly amidst low availability and inflated pricing.
However, such a requirement compels consumers to deliberate cautiously on delivery timelines and refund stipulations.
Policies currently vary across retail systems. CellphoneS has announced it allows full refunds on deposits should buyers reconsider, whereas FPT Shop specifies a delivery timeframe for pre-orders extending from October 23rd to December 31st, 2026, with specific delivery dates disclosed post-deposit completion.
Di Dong Viet’s website continues to offer the 30 million VND deposit option, with an assurance that customers will receive priority notifications once stock is replenished. This, however, does not guarantee receipt within the initial delivery phase.
As per the indicated schedule, the iPhone Duo will officially commence sales in Vietnam on October 23rd; however, not all pre-orders may be fulfilled on that date.
With Prices Surpassing 100 Million VND, Will Demand Soar?
In Vietnam, Apple presents the iPhone Duo with a selection of four storage configurations: the 256GB model retails at 64.999 million VND, the 512GB model at 71.499 million VND, the 1TB version at 84.499 million VND, and the 2TB variant at 103.999 million VND.
This pricing is exceptionally steep for a smartphone, even eclipsing the cost of numerous laptops and advanced technological devices available in the marketplace.
Nonetheless, the iPhone Duo garners intrigue due to its radically novel foldable design within the Apple ecosystem.
Dissimilar to prior iPhone iterations marked by incremental upgrades in camera technology, performance, or aesthetic appeal, the Duo signifies a profound enhancement in utility.
The expansive screen available when unfolded caters to document reading, work, entertainment, and multitasking needs, while the compact dimensions facilitate effortless portability.
Apple’s strategic timing, introducing the product after the proliferation of foldable phones by Android rivals, allows entry into a market segment with an established high-end consumer base, catering to existing iPhone users eager for an innovative design, while remaining true to the Apple ecosystem.
For consumers in Vietnam, remitting a 30 million VND deposit necessitates extra prudence. Prospective buyers should insist on explicit confirmations regarding model specifics, color choices, final pricing, anticipated delivery schedules, and refund conditions should retailers fail to meet their commitments.
In cases where delivery timelines remain ambiguous, customers might contemplate opting for a subscription notification rather than relinquishing a significant deposit for prioritized consideration.
Ahead of a product’s official launch, consumers should exercise caution against pre-ordering through individuals or unverified intermediaries, particularly if the quoted price exceeds the official retail figure.
Source link: Vietnam.vn.
