Dubai buyers face long wait for Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo as demand spikes

Published: Sun 18 Oct 2026, 6:00 AM

Surge in demand pushes delivery dates

Pre-orders for Apple’s first foldable iPhone Duo opened at 4pm on Friday, October 16, with the device initially scheduled to reach buyers and stores from October 23. However, within minutes of the booking page going live, delivery dates began to shift rapidly as demand surged. Residents who hoped to secure the phone on its first day saw the available slots move from October to November, December and even January 2027 in a short period.

Buyers share varied experiences

Emaad Khayyam, a JLT resident and financial professional, said delivery dates started moving almost immediately after pre‑orders opened in the UAE. “Within a minute, I could see the dates jumping week by week,” he said. “By the time I completed my booking, the earliest slot I could get was in January (2027).” Despite the long wait, he placed the order and added, “I will be eagerly waiting for it.”

Deira resident Usman Malik was among those who managed to secure a first‑day slot. He said he acted quickly as soon as the booking page opened, becoming so focused on placing his order that he barely noticed his surroundings. “I managed to book two phones for delivery on October 23,” he said. “My friends and cousins then asked me to book for them too, but by the time I tried, the delivery date had already jumped to November 23.” He expressed excitement at being among the earliest buyers, saying, “I am happy that I will be able to use it on the first day of delivery.”

Syed Kazim, another buyer, reported that he could not obtain an October slot and was given a November delivery date instead. “It never happens like this,” he said. “Usually, the delivery date moves forward week by week as slots fill up. This time, it suddenly jumped by almost a month.” He noted that the sharp change reflected the high demand for Apple’s new model, adding, “Very few people will get it on the first day. Most buyers will receive it only after a month, but people are still willing to wait because this is a completely new Apple model.”

Sameera Ali said the phone was intended as a gift from her husband for their wedding anniversary on November 2. She described it as the only gift she had asked for in a long time and explained that her family gathered to book at least one device. “The booking page opened for us at 4.18pm, but the next available delivery date was only at the end of December,” she said. “We still booked it, but I will be getting my gift late.” Although disappointed to miss the anniversary date, she said she was not unhappy, adding, “We genuinely thought we would be able to get at least one phone.”

Impact on local market and pricing

Mobile phone traders in Dubai warned that the delays could push some buyers toward the local market, where those seeking immediate availability may have to pay a premium. Moideen Mustafa from Phone Line in Deira market earlier said some buyers were ready to pay up to Dh2,500 extra to obtain the iPhone Duo on its first day.