Apple launched pre-orders for the iPhone Duo last Friday despite knowing about significant manufacturing constraints. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman described this decision as a major strategic error, noting that the company prioritized hitting first-quarter fiscal targets over ensuring adequate product availability for early adopters.
The company initially considered a phased rollout starting only in the United States and China. However, Apple ultimately decided to open pre-orders simultaneously across more than 70 countries and regions. This decision led to immediate supply shortages as demand quickly outpaced the available inventory.
Within 30 minutes of the pre-order launch, shipping estimates for the iPhone Duo in most regions were pushed back to approximately January 25, 2027. Despite these long lead times, historical data suggests that Apple often provides conservative shipping estimates, meaning some customers may receive their devices earlier than the current projections indicate.
