Scalpers Offer Extra 3,000 Yuan for Apple iPhone Duo in Beijing as Supply Tightens

Scalpers lined up outside Apple’s flagship store in Beijing’s Sanlitun district on launch day, promising customers an additional 3,000 Chinese yuan (about $448) to hand over their newly purchased iPhone Duo.

What Happened

Alex Wang, one of the scalpers, told CNBC that the Duo could fetch a higher price for at least half a month because supply is very tight. He stood among a line of about 100 pre‑booked buyers, offering cash on the spot.

Reaction

Apple fan Mary Tong arrived at 6 a.m. and was the first in the queue. She said Apple has been a laggard but many Chinese prefer foldable phones. Zhang Zheng tried to order online but the delivery date was pushed to January 2027; he still hopes to own one, calling it useful for work and cool to look at. Duo owner John Zhao, who tested Apple Intelligence overseas, called it “nice but not beyond imagination” and expects the Chinese version to be less exciting.

Context

China is the world’s biggest market for foldable phones, according to Counterpoint Research, and competitors such as Huawei (with its $3,000 Mate XT2 trifold launched on Sept 7) and Xiaomi (with its 18 Fold) are also rolling out pricey models. Apple plans a beta of its Apple Intelligence AI in mainland China this month, after Beijing approved Alibaba AI models for use in Duo and other Apple devices on Oct 14, and the company received regulatory clearance earlier this summer.