Apple Seeks 30% Increase in iPhone Duo Orders as Shipment Estimates Rise
Key Facts
Apple asked its suppliers to speed up production and increase iPhone Duo orders by 30% to meet demand for its first foldable phone, according to an Investing.com report citing Taiwan’s Economic Daily, published on October 25, 2026. The request to raise production came after preorders opened on October 16 and ahead of availability starting on October 23, in line with the schedule Apple announced. The report said the phone’s 2026 shipment estimate rose from an initial figure of about 6 million units to a range of between 8 million and 10 million units. The revision reflects an increase in expected shipments for the current year, while Apple’s request to suppliers points to an effort to meet rising demand for the device. The production and shipment figures cited in the report remain supply-chain estimates, not figures officially announced by Apple.
The reported forecast extends beyond the launch year: the report said Duo shipments could reach 33 million units by 2027. That figure puts the shipment estimate for the following year above the range of 8 million to 10 million units expected for 2026, with both figures remaining estimates cited in the same report. In a broader market forecast, IDC predicted Apple would capture 44% of the value of the foldable-phone market in 2026 and 31% of its units. IDC added that Apple would become the category leader by value and units shipped in 2027. The forecasts come as foldable phones remain limited in adoption compared with conventional handsets, despite Samsung and Huawei offering high-priced devices in the category for years, according to Reuters.
Supply constraints are reflected in delivery dates and device availability at launch. Bloomberg reported that estimated shipping dates for preorder units slipped to late January of the following year within minutes of preorders opening in October, while Apple described demand as "off the charts." The company said it was working to get the product to customers as quickly as possible and would continue accepting orders online. When sales began, Apple told Reuters that availability for walk-in customers without a preorder would vary by country, with limited stock in the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and most of Britain and Europe. In its launch statement, the company said customers had filled its stores around the world to try the first foldable iPhone and receive shopping support. These indicators link the reported increase in orders with difficulty meeting demand immediately, without the company providing a separate figure for inventory or sales.
The phone’s production is divided among key suppliers, according to the report: Foxconn assembles Duo, while TSMC makes its main processor. Apple said the device starts at $1,999 in the United States and has a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display. The company called it the first foldable iPhone, while Reuters said reviewers praised its premium design and sturdy hinge, which is barely visible. Some reviewers also pointed to camera compromises and said third-party apps would need adjustments to fit the new screen. John Ternus took over as chief executive in September, before unveiling the phone about a week into his tenure, according to Reuters. The agency described the device’s reception as an early test for the new chief executive.
An IDC vice president said Apple’s entry could broaden the audience for foldable phones, but said the next test was turning enthusiasm into sustained availability and adoption. That challenge puts shipment estimates and expected market share alongside the company’s and its suppliers’ ability to make devices available to buyers, at a time when Apple has reported limited inventory in several markets. Apple is scheduled to hold a conference to discuss results for the fourth quarter of its 2026 fiscal year and business updates on November 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time, or 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The date follows the start of Duo sales on October 23 and gives the company an opportunity to present its quarterly results and business updates. The announcement of the event did not detail the phone’s impact on results or provide specific financial forecasts for it.