Pre-orders for iPhone Duo start Oct. 16 as supply stays tight

Apple is staging a high-profile in-store push for the iPhone Duo ahead of its October 23 launch, but executives expect stock to be tight. A new display setup will highlight the phone’s folding action, with flagship stores receiving substantially more demo units than typical shops.

Five of Apple’s biggest locations will host the most hands-on time. New York’s Fifth Avenue store is expected to have more than 150 demo units, while Apple Park’s Visitor Center should see around 100. Non-flagship stores are projected to carry roughly 20 units each on average. Shoppers will be able to explore StandBy on untethered Duo units and compare it to regular iPhones using a MagSafe stand designed for both devices.

Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo open on Oct. 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with official sales starting Oct. 23. The 256GB version is priced at $1,999 in the United States. Apple has equipped stores with Presto machines so updates can be installed without opening the packaging, and the first startup greeting in U.S. stores will be personalized with the buyer’s name in English and Spanish.

Why this matters: Apple is pushing the Duo in a tighter supply cycle, giving shoppers more chances to try the folding phone in flagship stores while likely facing stock constraints in many locations at launch.