Despite growing efforts to increase production, Apple has yet to establish when it will be able to meet demand for the device.
"iPhone Duo is constrained as of today.
Apple reportedly described the initial response to the iPhone Duo as "nothing short of extraordinary".
The iPhone Duo shortage suggests that even Apple's established manufacturing network is finding it difficult to respond quickly to demand for a new product category.
Customers hoping to purchase the iPhone Duo face considerable uncertainty.
Apple has acknowledged that demand for its first foldable iPhone continues to outstrip available supply, but has offered no timeline for when deliveries might return to normal. The company is also dealing with rising memory chip costs as demand from the artificial intelligence industry puts pressure on hardware manufacturers.
Apple's first foldable iPhone has become an unexpected supply chain challenge for the company, with customers who missed the initial pre-order window facing delivery estimates that extend into 2027. Despite growing efforts to increase production, Apple has yet to establish when it will be able to meet demand for the device.
The company addressed the situation during its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call on Monday, with Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan confirming that the iPhone Duo remains in short supply. However, his remarks offered little indication of when customers could expect delivery schedules to improve.
The shortage comes at a time when Apple is navigating another challenge, increasingly expensive components, particularly memory chips. Demand from companies building AI infrastructure has put pressure on the global memory market, creating additional costs for manufacturers of consumer electronics.
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Strong demand leaves Apple struggling to keep up
Khan told investors that production of the iPhone Duo was progressing, but the company could not yet determine when the number of devices available would catch up with customer demand.
"iPhone Duo is constrained as of today. The ramp is going well, and we're working hard to get this revolutionary new product into the hands of our customers as quickly as possible. But at this time, it's really hard to predict when supply and demand will be in balance," Khan said.
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The situation has already become apparent to customers trying to purchase the foldable phone. Those who did not secure a device during the initial pre-order period or visit an Apple Store when sales began are now encountering delivery estimates that stretch into the next year.
The shortage has also affected Apple's retail partners. Verizon, for instance, has been apologising to customers for the extended wait times and offering gift cards in response to the delays.
An October report by the Financial Times offered some indication of the scale of interest in the device. Apple reportedly described the initial response to the iPhone Duo as "nothing short of extraordinary". The handset sold out on Apple's website within hours of becoming available, with delivery estimates subsequently pushed into the following year.
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For Apple, the situation is particularly notable because of the company's long-standing reputation for managing production and distribution at scale. Its ability to coordinate suppliers and maintain product availability has traditionally been an important part of its hardware business. The iPhone Duo shortage suggests that even Apple's established manufacturing network is finding it difficult to respond quickly to demand for a new product category.
Memory costs add to Apple's supply chain concerns
The foldable iPhone is not the only hardware-related issue occupying Apple's leadership. During the earnings discussion, rising memory prices also emerged as a concern, with demand from the AI industry contributing to higher component costs.
The expansion of AI infrastructure has increased competition for memory chips, putting pressure on manufacturers that also supply the broader consumer electronics industry. This creates a difficult environment for companies producing smartphones, computers and other connected devices, particularly when component costs rise faster than expected.
Apple has already adjusted prices across several products, Khan acknowledged during the call. He indicated that the company had not taken those decisions lightly, describing the price increases as something Apple had made reluctantly.
The company is also looking to strengthen its supply arrangements for the iPhone Duo. Apple said it was deepening its relationship with Perryman, a titanium producer supplying material for the foldable handset. The move signals an effort to reinforce access to important manufacturing materials as production continues to scale up.
CEO John Ternus also addressed the response to the device during his opening remarks, expressing satisfaction with feedback from both customers and reviewers. He said Apple was working to increase the number of units reaching buyers, although he did not provide a delivery timeline either.
Customers hoping to purchase the iPhone Duo face considerable uncertainty. Apple says production is progressing, but without a clear estimate for when supply will catch up, the wait could extend well beyond the initial launch period. Whether additional manufacturing capacity and stronger supplier arrangements can ease the shortage in the coming months remains to be seen.
