Apple to Launch iPhone Duo Pre-orders Amid Supply Shortages
Apple will begin pre-orders for its foldable iPhone Duo on Friday, despite awareness of significant supply chain issues. Early demand has already pushed estimated delivery times back by months.
Apple is set to commence pre-orders for its new foldable iPhone Duo this Friday, even as the company is aware of substantial supply shortages for the device. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman suggests this decision to launch ahead of full production capacity could lead to disappointment for early adopters.
Gurman stated that Apple's choice prioritizes launching the device early in the first fiscal quarter over meeting market demand. This strategy may leave many eager customers waiting significantly longer than anticipated, with estimated delivery dates already stretching into January for initial orders.
Initially, Apple reportedly planned a more limited release of the iPhone Duo in the U.S. and China. However, the company ultimately decided on a global launch across more than 70 countries. This broader rollout, coupled with production constraints, appears to have exacerbated the availability issues.
Despite Apple's tendency to provide conservative shipping estimates, the immediate, lengthy delays indicate significant challenges in meeting the anticipated demand. The company's decision to adhere to the planned launch date over ensuring adequate stock raises questions about its product rollout strategy for new hardware.