Apple Cannot Forecast When iPhone Duo Supply Will Meet Demand
Apple’s senior executive says the company has no timeline for balancing iPhone Duo supply and demand.
Unprecedented memory pricing and supply chain constraints are shaping Apple’s rollout of its first foldable iPhone.
Supply uncertainty
Apple’s senior executive John Ternus told Reuters the company is “working hard to get it to as many customers as quickly as possible, but at this point, we’re not able to predict when supply and demand will be in balance.” The statement came as the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable device priced at $1,999, saw pre‑orders sell out and limited in‑store units released at launch.
Potential delivery delays
Analysts note that some iPhone Duo shipments may not arrive until 2027, reflecting the depth of the shortage.
Quality concerns addressed
Ternus also responded to reports of cracked screens, saying only “a very small percentage” of units were returned for that issue and that Apple is replacing the affected devices.
Memory cost pressures
During Apple’s Q4 2026 earnings call, Ternus described current memory pricing as “unprecedented” and warned that “even higher memory costs” are expected in the December quarter, though recent price hikes across the product line help offset the impact.
Financial performance
Even without a standard iPhone 18 model, Apple reported a record‑breaking iPhone revenue of $57.58 billion for the fourth quarter.
Apple’s foldable ambitions highlight how component pricing and supply chain dynamics can influence product availability and financial outcomes.
