Anyone who didn’t order an iPhone Duo in the first minutes of preorders now faces a long wait. Newly placed orders on Apple’s UAE website won’t arrive until 25 January now, roughly three months after the foldable’s 23 October launch date.
PCMag reads the backorder as a sign that early demand outran supply, even at a starting price of USD 1,999 in the US. In some markets, Apple let shoppers prepare for checkout in the days beforehand, and PCMag suggests many used that time to lock in orders quickly. The outlet also says initial stock is likely tight because of reported production problems, though it doesn’t detail them. One Reddit user quoted by PCMag said the earliest delivery date offered was late December, even when ordering the moment preorders opened.
Carriers may offer a shorter route. According to PCMag, AT&T and T-Mobile preorder deals in the US show shipping dates in November and December. Resellers have also moved in: PCMag says some people are listing their successful preorders on eBay, slated to arrive on launch day or soon after, for up to USD 5,000. That’s more than double the base price.
What it means for the UAE
The UAE preorder window opened at 4pm on 16 October, and Gulf Business reports that official sales, deliveries and in-store availability begin on Friday, 23 October. Orders can be placed through the Apple UAE online store or the Apple Store app. Prices start at AED 8,499 for 256GB, against USD 1,999 in the US.
Demand is a rare positive in a weak market. PCMag cites IDC, which says global smartphone shipments fell 22% year on year in Q3, the steepest quarterly drop it has recorded, amid the memory shortage.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost in the UAE?
According to Apple UAE’s store, as reported by Arabian Business, it costs AED 8,499 for 256GB, AED 9,349 for 512GB, AED 11,049 for 1TB and AED 13,599 for 2TB. It comes in star white and Night Sky.
Will a UAE preorder arrive on 23 October?
23 October is the official start of sales and deliveries in the UAE, but Apple’s US backorder suggests early stock is limited. Check the delivery date shown when you place the order, because we haven’t confirmed a UAE estimate.
Can I use a physical SIM in the iPhone Duo?
No. Arabian Business reports that the Apple UAE store confirmed the Duo is eSIM-only and doesn’t support physical SIMs.
