Apple said on Wednesday that only limited numbers of its first folding smartphone, the iPhone Duo, will be available for walk-in customers when the device launches on Friday, after initial online orders sold out within minutes and delivery estimates for some buyers extended to January.
The company unveiled the folding phone in September, entering a premium market already served by competitors including Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies. Analysts expect Apple to gain a significant share of the niche segment, although the device’s complex design could present challenges as production increases.
The iPhone Duo features a tightly fitted hinge that may be more difficult to manufacture at high volumes than the components used in conventional iPhones. Analysts have suggested that Apple could need time to refine its production processes to meet demand.
“On Friday morning, our teams look forward to welcoming customers at Apple Stores to experience iPhone Duo and the incredible iPhone line-up for themselves,” Apple said in a statement.
“Apple Stores will have limited iPhone Duo available for walk-in customers, and we’re working hard to get this revolutionary new product into customers’ hands as quickly as possible,” the company added.
The availability of devices for customers who visit stores without a reservation or prior online purchase will vary by market, Apple said.
In the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico and much of the United Kingdom and Europe, customers will be able to collect online orders or attempt to buy one of the limited number of phones available in stores.
However, Apple said customers in several other markets would only be able to obtain the device through existing online purchases. These markets include mainland China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Macau will follow a different arrangement, with limited stock available exclusively for walk-in customers, according to the company.
The rapid sellout of initial orders points to strong early interest in Apple’s entry into the folding-phone market. However, the extended delivery estimates also raise questions about how quickly the company can increase output to meet demand.
Folding smartphones generally require more complicated engineering than conventional handsets, particularly around hinges and flexible displays. Manufacturers must ensure that these components remain durable while allowing devices to fold and unfold repeatedly.
Apple’s launch comes after years of development in a category where Samsung and Huawei have established products and gained experience in manufacturing folding devices. The iPhone Duo will test whether Apple can translate its established position in the wider smartphone market into similar demand for a new form factor.
For customers hoping to buy the phone on launch day, availability will depend heavily on their location and the stock held by local Apple Stores.
