Apple Store Resumes Limited Pickup for iPhone Duo in Select Regions

Apple has begun to resume the option for iPhone Duo pickup in select regions, including Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea. Availability remains extremely limited, with very few slots open. A recent check found only one iPhone Duo available for pickup in Australia, which vanished shortly after.

Other countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore are still awaiting the resumption of the pickup option. Apple advises customers to return on October 24 as the system updates across time zones. This follows overwhelming demand during the pre-order phase, which Apple described as ‘extraordinary,’ leading to delivery estimates stretching into late January.

Apple Store pickup briefly opened at launch but quickly closed due to high demand. Many customers lined up at stores worldwide, with some able to purchase units on a walk-in basis. For those unable to secure a unit, the pickup tool remains a useful option, and customers are encouraged to refresh the order page frequently.

In China, the iPhone Duo’s launch drew significant interest, despite its high price. Scalpers outside Apple’s flagship store in Beijing offered customers up to 3,000 Chinese yuan ($448) for their phones right after purchase, indicating a strong perception of value in the device.

“I feel the Duo can be sold with a higher price for half a month,” said scalper Alex Wang.

Customers began forming queues outside Apple stores early, eager to acquire the foldable phone. One customer, Mary Tong, arrived at 6 a.m. and expressed her views on Apple’s performance in the competitive foldable phone market.

“Apple has been the laggard,” she said, noting that many in China prefer foldable options.

The buzz surrounding the iPhone Duo has not raised expectations for Apple’s AI features. The company plans to begin beta testing a version of its AI system in China this month, which will include features like live translation and image editing tools.

Competitors in the foldable market, such as Huawei and Xiaomi, have launched their devices, intensifying the competition against Apple’s Duo. Huawei recently unveiled the Mate XT2, priced at about $3,000, ahead of the iPhone Duo announcement. Xiaomi followed with its own foldable device.

As iPhone Duo pickup options increase, customers are advised to monitor availability closely, especially given the ongoing high demand and limited supply.