Still Waiting for an iPhone Duo? Apple Can't Say When Supply Will Catch Up

Apple's chief executive, John Ternus, has said Apple can't yet predict when it will be able to make enough iPhone Duos to keep up with demand, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is reporting that the launch was rushed. If you're sitting on a waiting list, or you were hoping to put a Duo under the tree this Christmas, that's worth knowing now rather than in mid December, so here's what Apple has actually said, what's only been reported, and what I'd do if I were in your shoes.

What Apple has said

Ternus spoke to Reuters today, straight after Apple published its latest financial results, and he described the Duo as "constrained", which is the industry's way of saying Apple can't make them as fast as people want to buy them. He said production is ramping up well and Apple is working to get phones to customers as quickly as it can, but added that "we're not able to predict when supply and demand will be in balance." So, in plain terms, there's no end date. You can read the coverage on MacRumors and 9to5Mac.

He also touched on the screen problem some owners have run into. Last week Apple acknowledged an issue affecting the inner display, which is the large folding screen, on some units, and it asked anyone affected to contact AppleCare. Ternus said only "a very small percentage" of phones have been returned because of it, and that Apple is swapping those for new ones.

As for the results themselves, Apple had a record July to September quarter, with revenue of $114.5 billion, up 12 percent on last year. The Duo isn't included in those figures at all, because it only went on sale in October, after the quarter had closed, which means there are no official sales numbers for it yet.

On delivery times, MacRumors and 9to5Mac report that new orders are being given delivery estimates in late January, which is where they've sat since the first pre-orders sold out on 16 October, and that Apple's shops have had very little stock for online reservations. Those reports don't say exactly what Apple's UK store is showing, so the best thing to do is check your own estimate on Apple's UK online store.

What's been reported, but not confirmed by Apple

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's original plan was to wait until November and launch the Duo in just the US and China. Instead, it went on sale in more than 70 countries on Friday 23 October, and Gurman says Apple rushed it out without enough stock to meet demand. Gurman is one of the most reliable reporters on Apple's plans and his track record is very good, although Apple never comments on reports like this, so treat it as well sourced rather than confirmed.

Gurman has also reported that Apple sent roughly 80% of its first batch of Duos to its shops, with some holding as few as 50 each, which would explain why most people who queued on launch day went home with a phone while online orders slipped straight to January.

There's also some data from the investment bank UBS, reported by MacRumors, which tracks how long people wait for iPhones across more than 30 countries. As of 30 October, it put the average Duo wait at 89 days, which is about a week shorter than the week before. By comparison, it had the iPhone 18 Pro at around five days. UBS said the cracked screen reports probably aren't the main reason waits have shortened, but the numbers on their own can't tell us whether demand is easing or supply is improving. This is an analyst's estimate rather than anything from Apple, so it's a useful guide and no more.

What it means for you

If a Duo is on your Christmas list, the honest picture right now is that a new online order is unlikely to arrive in time unless delivery dates improve, and Apple won't say when that might happen. That doesn't mean giving up, though, and there are a few sensible things you can do:

• Order online as soon as you can. The earlier you're in the queue, the better your chances if dates move forward.
• Ring your local Apple Store. Shops do get deliveries from time to time, so it's worth calling to check rather than relying on the website alone. You can find your nearest one on Apple's UK store finder.
• Already ordered? Keep your order. I'll explain why below, but cancelling only puts you to the back of the line.
• Got a Duo with a screen fault? Contact Apple Support, as Apple says it's replacing affected units.

What I think

I'm often asked whether the rushed launch and the screen returns change my advice on buying a Duo at all, and for me they don't. This is a first generation product, and that always comes with a learning curve, for Apple and for the rest of us. I'll admit I've been on the fence about it myself, swinging one way and then the other from day to day, so I understand if you're feeling the same.

The one thing I would flag is the cameras. If photography is the thing that matters most to you, the Pro models are still the better choice, so it's worth thinking about what you'll actually use your phone for before you commit.

If you've already got a pre-order in, my advice is to keep it in place. Delivery dates can come forward as Apple catches up, and even if it arrives and you decide it's not for you, Apple has a good returns policy that lets you send it back within 14 days of receiving it, even once it's been opened. So holding on to your place costs you very little, whereas cancelling and reordering later could leave you waiting even longer.

If you're unsure whether the Duo or a Pro model would suit you better, or you'd like a hand placing an order or setting up a new phone when it arrives, you can ask iHelp AI a quick question at /chat, or book a session with us at /book, either remotely from anywhere in the UK or in person here in Dorset.

Alex