Apple’s inaugural foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, triggered a rapid sell‑out in China as soon as pre‑orders opened on Friday evening. The device, priced from nearly 16,000 yuan (about $2,391), saw its initial allocation disappear within seconds, underscoring the intense appetite of Chinese consumers for premium technology.
Pre‑order frenzy and delivery delays
Pre‑orders began at 8 p.m. local time on Friday, and the first batch of units was reported sold out almost immediately. By Saturday, Apple’s official Chinese website listed an expected delivery date of 22 January 2027. On JD.com, a major Chinese e‑commerce platform, every model in the iPhone Duo series was marked out of stock, while Apple’s flagship store on Tmall displayed an estimated delivery window shifted to 2 January 2027.
The swift depletion of inventory also sparked a secondary market surge. Global Times contacted sellers on the Xianyu second‑hand platform and found that scalpers were marking up the first‑batch phones by more than 4,000 yuan. A veteran Apple enthusiast, identified only by the surname Tao, recounted securing the most expensive 2 TB version after repeatedly refreshing the Apple Store app. Tao said the phone initially appeared slated for delivery in early November, but after order confirmation the window slipped to roughly 14–21 November.
Consumer behavior and accessory sales
Even before the iPhone Duo became available for purchase on Tmall, consumers were already snapping up related accessories. A top‑selling phone case priced at 192 yuan logged over 300 units sold, indicating strong ancillary demand.
Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies, University of International Business and Economics, told Global Times that the robust pre‑order response demonstrates Chinese shoppers’ continued appetite for high‑quality products and highlights the market’s considerable purchasing power.
Production outlook and corporate context
Industry analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo, cited by financial news outlet 21jingji.com, projected that Apple will assemble 7 million to 8 million foldable iPhone units in the second half of 2026. Of that total, shipments for the third quarter are expected to fall between 500,000 and 1 million units.
The pre‑order surge coincided with Apple’s executive chairperson Tim Cook’s visit to China, his first trip since stepping down as CEO on 1 September. Cook arrived in Guangzhou on 11 October, marking the start of a tour that includes a meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. During the discussion, Cook expressed optimism about China’s development prospects, reaffirmed Apple’s intention to expand its business in the country, and pledged to play an active role in fostering stable US‑China economic and trade relations, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce.
The iPhone Duo, showcased at Apple’s product launch event on 9 September 2026, is the company’s first “flip” phone. Its rapid sell‑out and the subsequent delay of deliveries into early 2027 illustrate both the high demand for cutting‑edge devices in the Chinese market and the logistical challenges of scaling production for a new form factor.
As the market adjusts to the delayed timeline, observers will watch whether the anticipated shipment volumes materialize and how the secondary market pricing evolves. For now, the episode reinforces the perception of China as a critical arena for Apple’s growth strategy, especially as the company seeks to deepen its foothold amid broader geopolitical and economic considerations.
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