Apple launches its first folding phone worldwide with high demand and strict sales limits

Apple's first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, has gone on sale around the world with a high price tag and tight supply limits.

Launch Day Scenes

Buyers queued outside Apple stores from Sydney and London to New York and Shanghai for the passport-shaped device. Demand pushed estimated delivery dates to late January within minutes of pre-orders opening, and Apple called the response extraordinary. Sales were capped at two phones per customer, and walk-in shoppers faced strict limits in several countries.

Early Reviews And Feedback

Early reviews praised the sturdy and barely visible hinge on the Duo. However, reviewers also noted camera compromises like the lack of a telephoto lens, along with third-party apps that still need updates for the new screen size. Commentators like John Gruber and Marques Brownlee noted the high price and learning curve, though some users welcomed the tablet-like design.

Context

Competitors like Samsung and Huawei have sold foldable phones for years, making this launch a key test for Apple in the foldable market. The release also marks an early challenge for Apple's new CEO John Ternus, who took charge shortly before the rollout.