Apple opened iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday, October 16, at 5 a.m. Pacific (8 a.m. Eastern). The first foldable iPhone starts at $1,999 for 256GB, ships and lands in Apple Stores on October 23, and is expected to sell out quickly. If you want one on launch day, order early.
When and how do you pre-order?
Pre-orders run through Apple’s website and the Apple Store app. Apple pulled its online store offline ahead of the 5 a.m. PT start, as it does for big launches, and a message on the US site read “Almost ready for you.” Apple has used the 5 a.m. Pacific start for several years in place of the old 12:01 a.m. slot.
Apple also ran a “Get Ready” step that let you save your payment and shipping details in advance for one-click checkout. The deadline was 9 p.m. Pacific on Thursday, October 15. If you missed it, you can still order, but checkout will take longer.
Pre-orders are open in more than 70 countries and regions, including the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany, Japan, India and Australia. A further 28 countries and regions get the phone on October 30. Both 9to5Mac and Engadget say demand looks high and supply tight, so don’t count on waiting until October 23 and finding stock.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost?
The US starting price is $1,999. The Duo comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB versions, in Star White and Night Sky. Here is how it compares with Apple’s other new phones, according to GSMArena:
| Model | US starting price |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 |
| iPhone Duo | $1,999 |
That puts the Duo $800 above the 18 Pro and $700 above the 18 Pro Max. Overseas it is pricier still: Germany starts at €2,299, the UK at £1,999 and Japan at ¥364,800. Check Apple’s order page for the exact cost of the 512GB, 1TB and 2TB upgrades.
What do you get, and what don’t you?
The Duo opens like a book. The outer display measures 5.4 inches, and the inner display is a 7.6-inch OLED with a minimal crease in the middle and a matte nano-texture finish that cuts glare and makes the fold less noticeable. On the back you get two 48-megapixel cameras (Fusion Main and Ultra Wide), plus a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera on the outer screen.
Engadget lists three drawbacks. First, the $2,000 price. Second, there is no Face ID. Third, the main camera lacks the variable aperture found on the iPhone 18 Pro models. The camera on the inner screen sits under the display, which makes the unfolded phone look cleaner but is a downgrade for selfies and video calls.
Software is a factor too. As we covered in our look at App Store submissions for the iPhone Duo, apps that haven’t been updated for the new screen can show black borders on the inner display, so check your most-used apps before you commit.
Should you pre-order or wait?
Pre-order if you want a specific color and storage size in the first week, or if you plan to use the phone for reading, video and multitasking where the big inner screen really helps. A phone at this price is something to configure carefully, so decide on storage before the pre-order window gets busy.
Wait if Face ID matters to you, if you don’t like paying a premium for a first-generation product, or if you want to see how rival foldables compare. Apple tends to smooth out rough edges between generations, and the iPhone 18 Pro already gives you a flagship at $800 less.
One caveat on supply: MacRumors points to a report, via Jiemian News and a source close to Foxconn’s supply chain, that final assembly yields were only slightly above 60% as of September 17. That is an unconfirmed rumor, but it matches the picture of limited early stock.
If you do buy, getting your old phone ready takes only a little time. Our guide to transferring data to a new phone covers both iPhone and Android.
