Apple’s First Foldable Smartphone: iPhone Duo Faces Initial Shortages

Apple has turned a new page in its history by officially opening pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone. However, interest in the device has far exceeded market analysts' expectations. Within minutes of sales going live, delivery windows began to slip at a dramatic rate. ## Record Demand and Queues Customers who managed to place their orders within the first few minutes are scheduled to receive their iPhone Duo on October 23. These lucky buyers successfully navigated technical glitches and site traffic to complete their purchases. By 8:30 a.m., however, the situation had shifted significantly. Every configuration, regardless of colour or storage capacity, was marked as out of stock. Current data indicates that anyone deciding to purchase the smartphone now will not receive the device until January 25, 2026. ## What This Means for Consumers Apple’s move into this space has been long-awaited. Unlike competitors who have spent years developing foldable technology, Apple chose to enter the market only when it deemed the product perfected. This strategy appears to have paid off, with consumer confidence in the smartphone at an unprecedented high. Yet, such a massive shortage suggests that Apple’s supply chain is struggling to keep up with demand. The manufacturing of foldable displays and complex hinges is a technically demanding process, which often leads to such delays when launching new product categories. ## What to Expect in Georgia There is currently no information regarding the official release of the iPhone Duo in the Georgian market. As is customary, new Apple products typically reach Georgia through unofficial importers. However, given the global shortage, the price of the device on the local market is expected to be significantly high. If you are planning to purchase this innovative device, you will likely need to wait patiently for stock to replenish or pay a premium to resellers, where prices are expected to reach record highs. Apple’s latest move confirms that foldable smartphones are no longer an experimental niche and are gradually becoming part of the mass market. Whether the company can scale production before January remains an open question.