Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, is facing tighter supply at launch after analyst Jeff Pu revised his 2026 shipment forecast downward. The company unveiled the device on September 9, with Indian preorders beginning October 16 and sales starting October 23.
Pu now expects Apple to ship approximately 6 million Duo units this year, down from his earlier estimate of 7 million. In a research note cited by 9to5Mac and Times of India, he attributes the reduction to ‘hinge constraints’ rather than weaker demand.
The production issue could limit early availability as Apple scales its first foldable design for global distribution. By comparison, Apple anticipates shipping around 72 million iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units during 2026—roughly twelve times the expected iPhone Duo volume. This gap underscores the manufacturing challenges inherent in foldable hardware compared to standard flagship phones.
The iPhone Duo features a precision titanium hinge and a layered inner OLED display. It boasts a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen, powered by an A20 Pro chip and a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system. Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB, with Indian pricing starting at Rs. 2,99,900.
Apple will open preorders in India at 5:30 PM IST on October 16 through its sales channels, with availability beginning October 23 via Apple’s online store and selected partner retailers across India. Reports indicate that hinge manufacturing requires tight tolerances, making production scaling more difficult than conventional iPhone assembly. Supplier yield issues can further reduce usable hinge components when manufacturers apply strict quality checks. Additional reliability testing may also slow production as Apple validates the folding mechanism for repeated use.
Limited output could lead to longer delivery windows, especially for higher storage configurations during the opening sales period. Apple has not indicated a launch delay, and current information points toward constrained quantities rather than postponement. The shipment revision places the hinge at the center of the iPhone Duo’s early availability challenges.