Apple Cannot Forecast When iPhone Duo Availability Will Meet Demand

Apple does not yet know when it will be able to meet demand for its first foldable iPhone. Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan told investors on the company’s November 2 earnings call that production was ramping up, but the timing of a balance between supply and demand was difficult to forecast. CEO John Ternus expressed a similar assessment.

The iPhone Duo went on sale October 23, after preorders began October 16. It starts at $1,999 and opens to reveal a 7.6-inch inner screen. Preorders sold out quickly, and delivery estimates for online orders moved into 2027. Apple also had a limited number of devices available in stores at launch.

Ternus said a very small share of the phones had been returned over reports of cracked screens, and Apple was replacing those devices. Apple has also expanded its partnership with titanium producer Perryman to help supply material for the foldable phone.

Memory shortages and higher component prices are adding pressure across Apple’s product lineup. Khan said Mac and iPad supplies in the December quarter would be constrained mainly by memory, as demand exceeded expectations. Ternus called current memory prices unprecedented and said they were expected to rise further in the December quarter, partly offset by recent price increases.

Apple reported fourth-quarter revenue of $114.5 billion, including $57.58 billion from iPhone sales. The company said customer demand also outpaced available inventory of iPhones, Macs and iPads in the three months ending in September.